What exactly is in a gastric cocktail can vary, and its effectiveness is highly debated.
Verywell / Laura Porter
GI Cocktail Ingredients
GI cocktails are not a single product.
Rather, as the name cocktail implies, it is a combination of several medications.
Verywell / Laura Porter
The exact medicines and amounts used can vary.
How It Works
A doctor is most likely to prescribe a GI cocktail fordyspepsia(indigestion).
Individually, the ingredients used in GI cocktails are all often used to treat various GI symptoms.
Antacidsare most routinely used to relieve indigestion and heartburn.
It is common for indigestion to occur after eating.
Some people suffer from it on a daily basis, while others only experience it occasionally.
Possible GI Cocktail Benefits
GI cocktails can provide pain relief from indigestion.
However, there is little current research supporting its use.
The majority of research supporting the use of a GI cocktail is outdated.
Each ingredient used can produce possible undesirable side effects.
The patients rated their pain before receiving the medication, at 30 minutes, and again at 60 minutes.
Additionally, the antacid-only group scored significantly higher in palatability than the other two groups.
The researchers concluded that there is no benefit to adding lidocaine to antacids for emergency department patients with indigestion.
A Word From Verywell
Occasional indigestion and heartburn are common.
But if you experience these symptoms frequently, you may have an underlying condition that should be addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many different approaches for indigestion relief.
These include medications, natural herbs and supplements, and lifestyle changes.
Talk with your doctor about what might be the best option for you.
GI cocktails can help relieve indigestion.
However, studies have shown that antacids alone might be just as effective.
It gets its name from the color it takes on from using pink-hued medication as part of its preparation.
2018;6(15):892900. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v6.i15.892
