Home Symptoms Indigestion

Indigestion — what to take?

Indigestion (dyspepsia) is discomfort in the upper abdomen — a feeling of fullness, bloating, nausea, burning, epigastric pain after meals.

Also known as: dyspepsia heavy stomach difficult digestion
5 recommended OTC drugs
8,327 pharmacies available

In short: Indigestion (dyspepsia) shows up as discomfort in the upper abdomen after eating: a feeling of fullness, bloating, nausea or burning in the upper stomach. Commonly used relief options include antacids (aluminium hydroxide with magnesium), sodium alginate, simethicone-based anti-flatulents, or proton-pump inhibitors such as omeprazole and esomeprazole. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the price of these OTC options across the major pharmacies — Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet — with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace a medical consultation; see a doctor if you develop severe, persistent abdominal pain.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for indigestion

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Severe, persistent abdominal pain
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Vomiting blood or black stools
  • Age over 55 with new symptoms

Types of indigestion

Functional dyspepsia — the most common, with no organic cause. Organic dyspepsia has an identifiable cause: ulcer, reflux, Helicobacter pylori infection, biliary disease.

OTC treatment

Antacids — aluminium hydroxide + magnesium (Maalox, Almagel), calcium carbonate (Rennie). They neutralize acid quickly. Do not take alongside other medicines.

Sodium alginate (Gaviscon) — forms a protective floating layer. Excellent for reflux and burning after meals.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) — omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole. They inhibit acid production. Take in the morning, 20-30 min before breakfast.

Anti-flatulents — simethicone (Espumisan) — dissolves gas bubbles.

Dietary measures

  • Small, frequent meals, not heavy in the evening.
  • Eat slowly, chew well.
  • Avoid fried, fatty, spicy foods, strong coffee, alcohol.
  • Do not lie down within the first hour after eating.

Helicobacter pylori testing

For indigestion persisting beyond 4 weeks, the doctor orders an H. pylori test. Eradication treatment lasts 10-14 days: triple combination of antibiotic + PPI.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for indigestion

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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Medicines for indigestion

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for indigestion

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For indigestion most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for indigestion runs over weeks.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Arsuri la stomac

Arsurile la stomac (pirozis) = senzație de arsură retrosternală, urcând din epigastru spre gât. Cauza principală: reflux gastroesofagian. 20-40% din populație are episoade ocazionale.

 Symptom

Balonare

Balonarea e senzația de plin și distensie abdominală, adesea cu gaze. Cauze: aerofagie, alimentație bogată în gaze, IBS, disbioză intestinală, constipație.

 Symptom

Grețuri

Grețurile sunt senzația de iminentă vomă. Cauze: gastroenterite, migrenă, sarcină, rău de mișcare, medicamente, reflux, anxietate, afecțiuni vestibulare.

 Symptom

Reflux gastric

Refluxul gastric e urcarea conținutului stomacal în esofag, provocând arsuri, regurgitații, tuse nocturnă, răgușeală. Frecvent, adesea sub-diagnosticat.

 Condition

Reflux gastroesofagian (GERD)

GERD = regurgitarea patologică a conținutului gastric în esofag, cu simptome și/sau complicații. Afectează 10-20% din populație. Netratat poate duce la esofagită, Barrett, cancer.

 Condition

Ulcer gastric și duodenal

Ulcerul peptic = leziune pe mucoasa gastrică sau duodenală, adâncă peste muscularis mucosae. Cauze principale: Helicobacter pylori (80% ulcere duodenale, 60% gastrice) și AINS.

 Condition

Infecție cu Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori e bacterie gram-negativă care colonizează mucoasa gastrică. Afectează 30-50% din populație. Cauzează gastrită cronică, ulcer peptic, factor de risc cancer gastric și limfom MALT.

Frequently asked

What else do you want to know?

How long can I take OTC omeprazole?
For self-medication — a maximum of 14 days. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
What is the difference between an antacid and a PPI?
An antacid neutralizes existing acid (fast, short duration). A PPI blocks acid production (effect within 1-3 days, lasting 24h).
Why do I feel unwell after eating?
Meals that are too large, fatty foods, reflux, functional dyspepsia, food intolerance. A food diary helps.
What does an ulcer feel like?
Burning epigastric pain, 1-3h after eating or at night, relieved by food/antacids.

See also

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