Antacid Tablets Disappeared

[barry1010]

I've been buying packs of 72 fruit flavoured indigestion tablets for years from Superdrug, Boots and the big supermarkets. All cheap own brand
They disappeared months ago and will not return, anyone know why? These are the chalk based tablets.

[tiggerblue10]

I got some orange flavour Rennies a couple of months ago and I think Sainsburys still do their own brand orange ones.

[Atheist]

Barry; Please excuse my ignorance. What are indigestion tablets for? What symptoms do you get?

[Sqad]

Not being a pharmacologist I think that it is to do with the "chalk" in the tablets, which as you know contains calcium. Calcium supplements are readily available and are taken as supplements by many.
The build up of calcium in the body (hypercalcaemia) has many untoward effects one of which is the increase chance of heart attacks.

[Buenchico]

Possibly relevant:
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/coronation-street-emmerdale-star-gemma-24485453

[gingejbee]

I'd be rather worried if I needed to take indigestion remedies for years!

[rowanwitch]

With better alternatives available, also being able to buy previously prescription only drugs, things with longer lasting effectiveness. Ranitidine and cimetidine,, or that switch off a lot of acid production,( the 'zoles)it's hard to justify selling the simple antacids that were the mainstay of symptom control in years gone by.

[barry1010]

You can't buy ranitidine as far as I know, they've been withdrawn.
I never said I take antacids.

[bobbinwales]

Yes .... same problem here with Remigel which was chalky but we found it allways worked a treat....but it disappeared from the shelves for at least a year pre Covid, then came back, but has dissapeared off the shelves now for months, maybe forever?

[Buenchico]

Quote:
"Ranitidine is not currently available in the UK or globally. It has been discontinued as a precaution because it may contain a small amount of an impurity that has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in animals. It's not yet known whether it will be available again in future."

Source:
https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ranitidine/

I was prescribed omeprazole when I suffered from severe heartburn as a side-effect of chemotherapy. Although my chemo ended several years ago, the heartburn quickly returns if I stop taking omeprazole, so my GP is continuing to provide them on prescription for me.

[rowanwitch]

Can t take any of the proton pump inhibitors, I tend to rely on avoiding certain foods and gaviscon.

[barry1010]

Just to be clear, nobody in this house took these antacids every day or every week, they are something I buy in just in case. My oldsters seem to get relief from them, I probably buy 2 or 3 packs a year.

I will have to look for a suitable alternative.

Thanks as always for the helpful and informative replies

[Prudie]

I don't really understand the medical reasons or what you want them for but I have always found Gaviscon, either in liquid or tablet form, a good thing to have for occasional heartburn/indigestion type problems.

[barry1010]

I'll get some in, thanks. I suspect that my oldsters grumble about indigestion when they don't get the food they'd prefer

[Prudie]

I don't know but remember my grandparents always seemed to have a packet of Rennies in their pockets :-)