02 Sep 2026
From A Simple Scientific Question To The World’s Go-To Heartburn & Indigestion Brand
How Gaviscon grew to define digestive self-care
NewsPowerbrandsBrandsGaviscon
3 minutes read
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It started with curiosity: what if acid reflux could be physically stopped, rather than just managed?
When Dr Stig Sandmark posed this question in 1964, he set in motion an entirely new way of treating heartburn and indigestion. In combining physical protection with chemical neutralisation, along with a solution that acts in the stomach rather than the bloodstream, the foundations of Gaviscon emerged. Following its acquisition by Reckitt in 1970, Gaviscon grew internationally to become one of the world’s leading digestive health brands, and is now treating more people, across more countries, than ever before.
At the centre of Gaviscon is sodium alginate, a naturally derived ingredient extracted from brown seaweed
When it comes into contact with stomach acid, it forms a protective barrier that floats above gastric contents. It helps reduce the likelihood of acid reflux moving back into the oesophagus. Alongside this, ingredients such as calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate help neutralise excess stomach acid and increase the strength of the protective barrier delivering fast symptom relief. Together, they offer dual-action that combines physical protection with chemical neutralisation
This straightforward science remains central to Gaviscon’s relevance. It has become the go-to solution at a time when stress, increased body weight and an ageing population are contributing to a rise in heartburn and indigestion, which in turn disrupt daily activities, diet and sleep
Today, Gaviscon continues to deliver strong growth, achieving over 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past three years*1. This growth has been broad-based across both Emerging and Developed Markets. This performance reflects the brand’s expanding reach and relevance to consumers worldwide. Rising incomes, urbanisation, changing diets and other lifestyle shifts are increasing demand for OTC (over-the-counter) digestive health solutions. And across regions, consumers are moving towards earlier self-care, integrating trusted OTC solutions into their everyday routines. To support Gaviscon’s increasing momentum and the demand, Reckitt is investing in new manufacturing capacities to strengthen long-term supply resilience.
Heartburn and indigestion remain a daily reality affecting 57% of people. Among sufferers, incidents happen on average 4 times a month**2 . More than six decades on, Gaviscon continues to operate on the same underlying principle it was built on: addressing heartburn and indigestion through both physical and chemical action. That consistency is increasingly relevant in a healthcare landscape defined by change. As consumers take a more active role in managing everyday conditions, they continue to return to solutions that are clear and grounded in science they can understand.
For Gaviscon, that continuity is not just heritage. It is the basis of its role in modern digestive self-care: a familiar, science-led solution that has remained present in everyday routines for generations and continues to be so today
* 1. Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) represents like-for-like net revenue growth for the period [2022-2025]
** 2.Harris Active Global Upper GI symptoms tracker 2023, and Global Patient Pathway Study 2023
