Does anyone know if ‘over the counter” antacids such as Rennie, Gaviscon etc. can block the absorption of PD medication such as Co-Careldopa, Levadopa etc?
Cheers
D
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Hi Dusty68,
Thank you for reaching out to the forum. Antacids shouldn’t be taken at the same time as your Parkinson’s drugs as they may affect the absorption of your medication. You can find out more about this on our website here: What affects how well my Parkinson’s drugs work?
If you do experience heartburn or indigestion, speak with your GP, specialist or Parkinson’s nurse, who can advise on treatments. You can also give our free helpline a call: 0808 800 0303.
We hope this helps,
The Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team
Yes, some antacids can affect the absorption of Parkinson’s medications, although it depends on the specific medication and antacid. In general, it’s often recommended to leave a gap between taking antacids (such as Rennie or Gaviscon) and medications like Co-Careldopa/Levodopa. Some people take them at least 1–2 hours apart to reduce the risk of interference. It’s worth checking the patient information leaflet or asking your pharmacist, as they can give advice specific to your medications. Hopefully someone with direct experience can also share what has worked for them. Cheers!