Gaviscon Advance Shortage? Reflux Gourmet is a Good Alternative

I am emailed frequently by people asking where to buy Gaviscon Advance, as it's frequently out of stock in the US. So I thought I would write an article on a more readily available alternative: Reflux Gourmet (Affiliate Link).

Reflux Gourmet has the same active ingredient as Gaviscon Advance: sodium alginate. Both medications cause a chemical reaction in the stomach that produces a foam. That foam stays on top of the stomach contents like a raft, acting as an additional barrier against reflux. That barrier reduces reflux.

Alginates are particularly useful for laryngopharyngeal reflux, as there are no other effective medications for that type of reflux.

I mostly use Gaviscon Advance, but I also used multiple tubes of Reflux Gourmet, so I wanted to give you my opinion on how they compare.

Supply Problems with Gaviscon Advance

If Gaviscon Advance wouldn't have supply issues, I would just say, use that. Gaviscon Advance is a great product, especially for laryngopharyngeal reflux, as there are no other effective medications for that type of reflux.

However, in the last few years, it has become more challenging to order Gaviscon Advance in the US. When I search for it on Amazon, sometimes it is completely out of stock. Even when it’s available, you often only find overpriced offers. Reckitt Benckiser, the company behind Gaviscon Advance, has been having supply issues for years — globally.

In 2022, the company made this statement to 7news in Australia:

"Unfortunately, we’re experiencing a shortage of sodium alginate, the key ingredient in Gaviscon [...] The shortage has occurred due to the availability of a specific species of seaweed, which is found on the coasts of Norway. The shortage is a consequence of poor weather conditions and low harvest yields."

Note that I am talking specifically about the UK version of Gaviscon Advance. The Gaviscon that is sold in US pharmacies is a different formulation, with a much lower concentration of sodium alginate. It's more of an antacid, really. It is alright for heartburn, but it won't help you much with silent reflux.

How does Reflux Gourmet compare to Gaviscon Advance?

Reflux Gourmet has a thicker texture and feels sticky in the mouth. I assumed it would be more concentrated than Gaviscon Advance, but looking at the formulation, it actually has LESS alginate per milliliter. So Gaviscon Advance is, regarding the alginate content, more concentrated.

If you use either of the two medications with every meal and before bedtime, the cost can really add up. So I made a comparison to see which of the two is actually more price-efficient:

According to my calculation, both products are near identical when it comes to price per amount of active ingredient, as Gaviscon Advance is higher concentrated. However, as the price for Gaviscon Advance varies so much, the data above might not be correct for the price that YOU will end up paying. Sometimes, you can find the large 500 mL bottles for a decent price (affiliate link), which would put the balance in favor of Gaviscon Advance.

Not All Alginates Are Equal

Here's something important: not all alginates work exactly the same way. They differ based on their source and processing, which could potentially impact effectiveness. There are studies for Gaviscon Advance's effectiveness for reflux, and even for LPR, but not a single one for Reflux Gourmet. I trust Gaviscon more because of its decade-long track record and the available data. On the other hand, you are relying on random importers on Amazon to sell you the real medication and not a fake — point for Reflux Gourmet.

Reflux Gourmet's Packaging is Somewhat Impractical

The tube design combined with the fairly thick and sticky formulation makes it consistently difficult for me to actually push the product out. Sounds like a small issue, but it can be quite annoying if you have to do this multiple times a day. I saw a bunch of people complaining about this on Amazon and Reddit, so it's not just me. On the other hand, the tube design makes it easy to bring the product when traveling — much better than the bottle that Gaviscon Advance comes in. I used to buy the Gavison tablets for travelling (they look similar to Tums), but I have not seen any of those in stock in months.

Neither Alginate Tastes Good

Gaviscon Advance doesn't taste good, but you get used to it. Reflux Gourmet, as the name suggests, tries to make a better tasting product. It tastes a bit like a particularly sweet protein bar to me, just with a syrup like texture. I actually prefer Gaviscon Advance, simply because it's more liquid so it goes down easily, while I have more of an aftertaste with Reflux Gourmet.

Price and Availability in Reality

Even with inflated prices in the US, Gaviscon Advance is actually better value when you look at the cost per milligram of active ingredient. See the table from before. Still, Reflux Gourmet has the advantage of consistently being in stock — something you definitely can't say for Gaviscon Advance in the US.

My Verdict

Honestly, Reflux Gourmet is fine. When I used it, it worked, and it can help you manage your symptoms. I still prefer Gaviscon Advance. I think it works a bit better. But given the frequent availability issues, you might end up sticking with Reflux Gourmet simply out of convenience.

European readers — you've got it good with cheap Gaviscon Advance; stick with it!