Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIngredientsSymptomsPossible BenefitsPossible DisadvantagesIndigestion ReliefFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Symptoms
Possible Benefits
Possible Disadvantages
Indigestion Relief
Frequently Asked Questions
Agastrointestinal(GI) cocktail, also known as a gastric cocktail, is a combination of different medicines you can drink aimed at relieving digestive upset and chest pain. What exactly is in a gastric cocktail can vary, and its effectiveness is highly debated.
This article looks at what ingredients are commonly used in GI cocktails, plus the possible benefits and potential side effects.
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.
The exact medicines and amounts used can vary. However, three commonly used medications include:
The chart below explains what ingredients are commonly used in a GI cocktail, what they are used for, and the usual dosage of each.
How It Works
A doctor is most likely to prescribe a GI cocktail fordyspepsia(indigestion). GI cocktails are most commonly prescribed in the emergency room setting when a patient presents with a GI condition, such asacid reflux, inflammation of the intestines, or anulcer.
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. Anesthetics are commonly used for short-term pain relief from minor mouth problems, such ascanker sores, sore gums/throat, toothache, and mouth or gum injury.
Anticholinergics are prescribed for a variety of reasons, such as diarrhea, urinary incontinence, overactive bladder,chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and certain types of poisoning.
It’s thought that since these medications all work differently, the combination of all three will be more effective than just one. Many different combinations of GI cocktails are used, however there is controversy as to what is the best approach.
Indigestion Symptoms
Symptoms of indigestion can vary from person to person, and even from day to day. It is common for indigestion to occur after eating. Some people suffer from it on a daily basis, while others only experience it occasionally.
Common symptoms of indigestion include:
When to Go to the HospitalDo not use a GI cocktail to try to determine whether your symptoms are that of a heart attack or indigestion. If you have any significant chest pain or othersymptoms of a heart attack, go to the nearest emergency room.
When to Go to the Hospital
Do not use a GI cocktail to try to determine whether your symptoms are that of a heart attack or indigestion. If you have any significant chest pain or othersymptoms of a heart attack, go to the nearest emergency room.
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.
A small study completed in 1995 looked at practice patterns regarding administration of the GI cocktail.The study noted that a GI cocktail often provided symptom relief.
However, because other medications, such as morphine, were often given at the same time, it was impossible to determine whether the effects were from the GI cocktail or the other medications.
While GI cocktails can help relieve indigestion, they also are not without risk of side effects. Each ingredient used can produce possible undesirable side effects.
Common side effects of antacids include:
Common side effects of liquid anesthetics include:
Common side effects of anticholinergics include:
Some research suggests that GI cocktails may not be as effective as using an antacid alone.
A small 2020 double-blind, randomized controlled trial out of Australia compared the use of antacid alone, antacid plus lidocaine solution, and antacid plus viscous lidocaine in 89 emergency room patients with indigestion.
The patients rated their pain before receiving the medication, at 30 minutes, and again at 60 minutes.
Although pain scores decreased in all three groups, there were no significant differences in scores at either 30 or 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.
An older 2003 double-blind clinical trial compared three combinations of GI cocktails commonly given for indigestion in the emergency room: antacid (group 1), antacid plus anesthetic (group 2), and antacid plus anesthetic plus viscous lidocaine (group 3).
One hundred thirteen people completed the study, rating their discomfort just before taking the medication and again 30 minutes later. The researchers concluded that pain relief between the three groups was not significantly different, suggesting that all three medications combined might not be necessary.
A 2016 journal article notes it would be more cost effective to use only an antacid for indigestion complaints and would reduce the number of possible side effects as well.
Additionally, a 2006 report for physicians determined that using an antacid alone is the preferred treatment for indigestion in the emergency room setting.
Besides antacids, other medications are available to treat indigestion at home, many of which are available over-the-counter. These include:
Somenatural remediesto relieve indigestion include:
Other remedies available include lifestyle changes, such as:
Summary
A GI cocktail is a combination of three different medications used to treat indigestion. While it has been commonly prescribed in the emergency room setting, current research suggests that an antacid alone might be just as effective as a GI cocktail at relieving symptoms of 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. Having heartburn twice a week or more signals it’s time to talk to your healthcare professional.They can determine the best treatment plan for you.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThere 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.A pink lady is another term used for a GI cocktail, which is a combination of medications used to treat indigestion in the emergency room setting. It gets its name from the color it takes on from using pink-hued medication as part of its preparation.
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.
A pink lady is another term used for a GI cocktail, which is a combination of medications used to treat indigestion in the emergency room setting. It gets its name from the color it takes on from using pink-hued medication as part of its preparation.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chan S, Maurice AP, Davies SR, Walters DL.The use of gastrointestinal cocktail for differentiating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and acute coronary syndrome in the emergency setting: a systematic review.Heart Lung Circ. 2014;23(10):913-923. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2014.03.030Wrenn K, Slovis CM, Gongaware J.Using the “GI cocktail”: a descriptive study.Ann Emerg Med. 1995;26(6):687-690. doi:10.1016/s0196-0644(95)70038-2Warren J, Cooper B, Jermakoff A, Knott JC.Antacid monotherapy is more effective in relieving epigastric pain than in combination with lidocaine: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.Acad Emerg Med. 2020;27(9):905-909. doi:10.1111/acem.14069Berman DA, Porter RS, Graber M.The GI cocktail is no more effective than plain liquid antacid: a randomized, double blind clinical trial.J Emerg Med. 2003;25(3):239-244. doi:10.1016/s0736-4679(03)00196-3Traynor K.Cost increase spurs review of “GI cocktail” components, effectiveness.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2016;73(6):355-356. doi:10.2146/news160019Bowman J, Jones J.Use of lidocaine in the gastrointestinal cocktail for the treatment of dyspepsia.Emerg Med J. 2006;23(11):873-874. doi:10.1136/emj.2006.042168Klenzak S, Danelisen I, Brannan GD, Holland MA, van Tilburg MA.Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: patient and physician communication challenges and shared decision making.World J Clin Cases. 2018;6(15):892–900. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v6.i15.892
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Chan S, Maurice AP, Davies SR, Walters DL.The use of gastrointestinal cocktail for differentiating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and acute coronary syndrome in the emergency setting: a systematic review.Heart Lung Circ. 2014;23(10):913-923. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2014.03.030Wrenn K, Slovis CM, Gongaware J.Using the “GI cocktail”: a descriptive study.Ann Emerg Med. 1995;26(6):687-690. doi:10.1016/s0196-0644(95)70038-2Warren J, Cooper B, Jermakoff A, Knott JC.Antacid monotherapy is more effective in relieving epigastric pain than in combination with lidocaine: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.Acad Emerg Med. 2020;27(9):905-909. doi:10.1111/acem.14069Berman DA, Porter RS, Graber M.The GI cocktail is no more effective than plain liquid antacid: a randomized, double blind clinical trial.J Emerg Med. 2003;25(3):239-244. doi:10.1016/s0736-4679(03)00196-3Traynor K.Cost increase spurs review of “GI cocktail” components, effectiveness.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2016;73(6):355-356. doi:10.2146/news160019Bowman J, Jones J.Use of lidocaine in the gastrointestinal cocktail for the treatment of dyspepsia.Emerg Med J. 2006;23(11):873-874. doi:10.1136/emj.2006.042168Klenzak S, Danelisen I, Brannan GD, Holland MA, van Tilburg MA.Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: patient and physician communication challenges and shared decision making.World J Clin Cases. 2018;6(15):892–900. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v6.i15.892
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chan S, Maurice AP, Davies SR, Walters DL.The use of gastrointestinal cocktail for differentiating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and acute coronary syndrome in the emergency setting: a systematic review.Heart Lung Circ. 2014;23(10):913-923. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2014.03.030Wrenn K, Slovis CM, Gongaware J.Using the “GI cocktail”: a descriptive study.Ann Emerg Med. 1995;26(6):687-690. doi:10.1016/s0196-0644(95)70038-2Warren J, Cooper B, Jermakoff A, Knott JC.Antacid monotherapy is more effective in relieving epigastric pain than in combination with lidocaine: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.Acad Emerg Med. 2020;27(9):905-909. doi:10.1111/acem.14069Berman DA, Porter RS, Graber M.The GI cocktail is no more effective than plain liquid antacid: a randomized, double blind clinical trial.J Emerg Med. 2003;25(3):239-244. doi:10.1016/s0736-4679(03)00196-3Traynor K.Cost increase spurs review of “GI cocktail” components, effectiveness.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2016;73(6):355-356. doi:10.2146/news160019Bowman J, Jones J.Use of lidocaine in the gastrointestinal cocktail for the treatment of dyspepsia.Emerg Med J. 2006;23(11):873-874. doi:10.1136/emj.2006.042168Klenzak S, Danelisen I, Brannan GD, Holland MA, van Tilburg MA.Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: patient and physician communication challenges and shared decision making.World J Clin Cases. 2018;6(15):892–900. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v6.i15.892
Chan S, Maurice AP, Davies SR, Walters DL.The use of gastrointestinal cocktail for differentiating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and acute coronary syndrome in the emergency setting: a systematic review.Heart Lung Circ. 2014;23(10):913-923. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2014.03.030
Wrenn K, Slovis CM, Gongaware J.Using the “GI cocktail”: a descriptive study.Ann Emerg Med. 1995;26(6):687-690. doi:10.1016/s0196-0644(95)70038-2
Warren J, Cooper B, Jermakoff A, Knott JC.Antacid monotherapy is more effective in relieving epigastric pain than in combination with lidocaine: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.Acad Emerg Med. 2020;27(9):905-909. doi:10.1111/acem.14069
Berman DA, Porter RS, Graber M.The GI cocktail is no more effective than plain liquid antacid: a randomized, double blind clinical trial.J Emerg Med. 2003;25(3):239-244. doi:10.1016/s0736-4679(03)00196-3
Traynor K.Cost increase spurs review of “GI cocktail” components, effectiveness.Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2016;73(6):355-356. doi:10.2146/news160019
Bowman J, Jones J.Use of lidocaine in the gastrointestinal cocktail for the treatment of dyspepsia.Emerg Med J. 2006;23(11):873-874. doi:10.1136/emj.2006.042168
Klenzak S, Danelisen I, Brannan GD, Holland MA, van Tilburg MA.Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: patient and physician communication challenges and shared decision making.World J Clin Cases. 2018;6(15):892–900. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v6.i15.892
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