Home Symptoms Indigestion

Indigestion — what to take?

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

5 recommended OTC drugs
4,387 pharmacies available

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for indigestion

Informativ. Nu înlocuiește sfatul medicului. Consultă medicul sau farmacistul înainte de a lua orice medicament.

Types of indigestion

Functional dyspepsia - the most common, without organic cause. Organic dyspepsia has an identifiable cause: ulcer, reflux, Helicobacter pylori infection, biliary disease.

OTC treatment

Antacids - aluminium + magnesium hydroxide (Maalox, Almagel), calcium carbonate (Rennie). Neutralise acid quickly. Do not take near other medications.

Sodium alginate (Gaviscon) - forms a floating protective layer. Excellent for reflux and post-meal heartburn.

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

Antiflatulents - simethicone (Espumisan) - breaks up gas bubbles.

Dietary measures

  • Small, frequent meals; no heavy meals in the evening.
  • Eat slowly, chew well.
  • Avoid fried, fatty, spicy foods, strong coffee, alcohol.
  • Do not lie down in the first hour after eating.

Helicobacter pylori testing

In indigestion persisting over 4 weeks, the doctor orders a H. pylori test. Eradication treatment lasts 10-14 days: triple therapy of antibiotic + PPI.

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

Nights, weekends, holidays

24/7 pharmacies for indigestion

Indigestion doesn't wait for office hours. If you need a medicine at 2 AM or on a weekend, open the map with the 24/7 filter on and find the nearest on-call pharmacy. Major cities have several round-the-clock pharmacies — the per-city pages below list them all, with address, phone and verified opening hours.

Call ahead before you leave, especially at night — on-call schedules can change and stock for some prescription items may be limited between deliveries.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories 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 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.

When to see a doctor

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

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

Frequently asked

Common questions

How long can I take OTC omeprazole?
For self-medication - maximum 14 days. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Difference between antacid and PPI?
An antacid neutralises existing acid (fast, short duration). A PPI blocks acid production (effect in 1-3 days, 24h duration).
Why do I feel unwell after meals?
Meals too large, fatty foods, reflux, functional dyspepsia, food intolerance. A food diary helps.
What does an ulcer feel like?
Burning epigastric pain, 1-3h postprandial or nocturnal, relieved by food/antacids.

See also

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