Symptoms
Symptoms of indigestion and stomach upset
Typical dyspepsia is upper-abdominal discomfort related to meals. Alarm features must not be treated as a rich meal.
Treatments
Stomach Problem Treatment Online
Request treatment online for indigestion and short-term stomach problems. A clinician checks red flags first, with discreet UK delivery if a medicine is suitable.
Introduction
Treatment overview
Stomach problems include indigestion, bloating, mild cramps, and short-lived nausea after a rich meal. Many episodes settle with smaller meals, less alcohol, and simple antacids. Acid reflux, constipation, and diarrhoea each have their own treatment pages if that is clearly the main issue.
We will review short-term options after checking alarm symptoms. Vomiting blood, black stools, sudden severe pain, or food sticking when you swallow needs urgent or GP care, not an indigestion tablet alone.
The condition
What are short-term stomach problems?
“Stomach problems” here means short-lived indigestion, bloating, mild cramps, and nausea after meals — sometimes called dyspepsia. The stomach and first part of the bowel are sensitive to large meals, alcohol, caffeine, stress, and some medicines such as ibuprofen.
This is not the right page for vomiting blood, black stools, sudden severe pain, or food that sticks when you swallow. Those need urgent or GP care. Persistent heartburn is covered on our acid reflux page. Loose stools and constipation have their own pages.
Private Pharmacy Care can review short-term antacids or related options after a consultation. A clinician decides. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription. Chest pain that could be cardiac is an emergency, not indigestion treatment.
Causes
Causes of stomach upset
Most short episodes are related to food, drink, stress, or medicines. Ulcers, gallstones, and heart disease can mimic indigestion.
Products
Available products
Benefits
Benefits and uses
Antacids, alginates, and sometimes a short course of acid-reducing medicine help typical indigestion. The value of a consultation is as much about spotting what should not be treated remotely.
Matched self-care
Meal timing, trigger foods, and posture changes help many people without a prescription.
Pharmacy-style options when appropriate
A clinician can suggest an antacid, alginate, or acid-suppressant that fits your other medicines.
Links to related treatments
Persistent heartburn, constipation, or diarrhoea are better handled on those dedicated pages.
Red-flag screening
We will tell you when a two-week GP pathway or A&E is the right next step.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Short-term indigestion in adults without alarm features may be suitable. Pregnancy sickness, suspected ulcers with bleeding, and severe pain are not.
May be suitable if
- Bloating, mild upper-abdominal discomfort, or indigestion after meals for a limited time
- You can change meal size and avoid lying down straight after eating
- You will not ignore vomiting blood, black stools, or food sticking
- You can list NSAIDs, anticoagulants, and other medicines
May not be suitable if
- Vomiting blood, black tarry stools, or you feel faint — emergency care
- Sudden severe abdominal pain, a rigid abdomen, or repeated vomiting
- Food sticking, painful swallowing, or unexplained weight loss — GP urgently
- You are pregnant with severe vomiting, or this is a child who cannot keep fluids down
A clinician decides whether treatment is appropriate. Completing a consultation does not guarantee a prescription.
Start a consultation
Ready to check if stomach treatment is right for you?
Start a confidential consultation. Go to A&E for severe chest or abdominal pain, or if you vomit blood.
- UK-registered clinician review
- Confidential online consultation
- Discreet UK delivery
How it works
How it works
Antacids neutralise acid. Alginates form a raft that can reduce reflux. Proton pump inhibitors reduce acid production and take a few days to reach full effect. They are not instant antacids. Stop unused NSAIDs if they are a likely trigger and a clinician agrees it is safe.
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Complete a consultation
Answer a short, confidential questionnaire about your symptoms, medical history and current medicines.
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Clinician review
A UK-registered clinician reviews your answers to check the treatment is safe and appropriate for you.
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Dispensing and delivery
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses the medicine and sends it in discreet UK packaging.
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Support if you need it
Questions after you start treatment? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
Safety
Safety information
Chest pain that could be a heart attack must never be treated as indigestion. If in doubt, go to A&E.
Persistent indigestion, especially over 55 or with weight loss, needs investigation rather than repeat remote courses.
- Go to A&E for crushing chest pain, breathlessness, or collapse.
- See a GP for swallowing problems, repeated vomiting, or weight loss.
- Tell us if you take ibuprofen, aspirin, or blood thinners.
- Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Side effects
Side effects
Antacids can cause constipation or diarrhoea depending on the salt used. Acid-suppressants may cause headache or stomach upset.
- Wind or changed stools (antacids) Usually mild. Switch product if advised.
- Headache (PPIs) Often settles. Contact us if it is severe.
- Stomach upset Take as directed, often before food for PPIs.
- Allergic reaction Rare. Seek urgent care for swelling or breathing difficulty.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with a medicine. This page is general information and is not a substitute for personalised clinical advice.
Using treatment
How to take or use the treatment
Always read the leaflet for any antacid or acid-reducing medicine. The steps below are general.
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Use antacids when symptoms start, within the label limit
Leave a gap before or after some other medicines — antacids can block absorption. Check the leaflet.
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Take PPIs before food if prescribed
They are not instant antacids. Do not crush modified-release products.
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Stop unused NSAIDs if they are the likely trigger
Only if a clinician or the leaflet agrees it is safe. Do not stop aspirin prescribed for the heart without advice.
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Give a short trial a clear end date
If you are no better after a couple of weeks, see a GP rather than repeating the same remote course.
Safety netting
When to seek medical advice
Short indigestion is common. Bleeding, obstruction, and heart attack mimics are the emergencies.
Seek urgent help (A&E) if
- Crushing chest pain, pain into the arm or jaw, sweating, or sudden breathlessness — go to A&E; do not assume indigestion.
- Vomiting blood, black tarry stools, or you feel faint — go to A&E.
- Sudden severe abdominal pain, a rigid abdomen, or repeated vomiting and you cannot keep fluids down — urgent care.
- Food stuck in the chest and you cannot swallow saliva — emergency assessment.
Contact a clinician or NHS 111 if
- Indigestion lasting more than 3 weeks, or it keeps returning — see a GP; you may need a Helicobacter test or referral.
- Unexplained weight loss, anaemia, or food sticking — GP promptly (two-week pathway if cancer is possible).
- You are over 55 with new dyspepsia, or you take blood thinners or long-term NSAIDs.
- Pregnancy with severe vomiting — contact maternity services; this page is not for hyperemesis.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Tap a question to see the answer. If you still need help, our team is ready to assist.
Should I use the acid reflux page instead?
Yes if heartburn and regurgitation are your main symptoms. Use constipation or diarrhoea pages if those dominate. This page is for mixed or short-term upset.
Can indigestion be a heart attack?
Sometimes chest pain is mistaken for indigestion. Crushing pain, sweating, or pain into the arm or jaw is an emergency, not a consultation.
How long should I try self-care?
A few days for a typical dietary upset. See a GP if symptoms last more than 3 weeks or keep returning.
Is this service available now?
Yes. Start an online consultation. Use emergency care now for bleeding, severe pain, or possible cardiac chest pain.
Why choose us
Why choose Private Pharmacy Care?
A regulated UK pharmacy service with clinician review, discreet delivery and support if you have questions after treatment is supplied.
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UK-registered clinicians
Every request is reviewed by a UK-registered clinician before a medicine can be prescribed.
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Confidential consultations
Complete a private questionnaire from home. Your information is used to check that treatment is safe and appropriate.
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Discreet UK dispensing
If a prescription is issued, our pharmacy dispenses it and sends it in plain packaging.
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Clear safety checks
We ask about your symptoms, medical history and other medicines. Completing a form does not guarantee a prescription.
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Support after you order
Questions about side effects or how to take a medicine? Contact the team and we will help you with next steps.
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Regulated pharmacy care
Private Pharmacy Care is a UK pharmacy service. Named clinicians and public register details are listed on our clinical team page.
Sources
References and medical sources
This page is general information for UK patients. It is not a substitute for the patient information leaflet or personalised clinical advice.
- NHS health A to Z Patient-facing NHS guidance.
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries UK clinical reference used by healthcare professionals.
- Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc) UK Summaries of Product Characteristics and patient information leaflets.
- MHRA UK medicines regulator.
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