Gut Health Solutions
- Health at Bayer
-
Pharmaceuticals
- News & Stories
- Inspired By You
- Treatment Areas
- Innovation & Technologies
- Cell and Gene Therapy
- Sustainability
- Transparency
- Patient Information
- Personal Health
- Report a Side Effect
- Medical Counterfeits
Digestive health affects millions globally with symptoms like bloating, constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms, acid reflux, stomach pain, and heartburn. Bayer’s innovative solutions, including herbal formulations, probiotics, and digestive enzymes, address these unmet needs with scientifically and clinically proven efficacy.
What are Bayer's trusted self-care solutions for relief of digestive symptoms and promoting healthy digestion?
The gut is fundamental to well-being, yet in a large-scale multinational study, it was found that more than 40% of people worldwide have digestive issues that affect quality of life and health-care utilization.1 The demand for effective, reliable, and accessible solutions to support gut health among consumers is growing.
Bayer’s Consumer Health Division offers a portfolio of trusted digestive health self-care solutions. These products include leading efficacious formulations for heartburn and constipation, probiotics, and digestive enzymes to address these unmet needs. We also have herbal formulations recognized as first line options for Functional Dyspepsia in global medical guidelines, reinforcing Bayer’s leadership in the management of Disorders of Gut–Brain Interaction.
Iberogast® – Herbal Relief for IBS and Functional Dyspepsia
Backed by over 20 scientific studies, Iberogast® is one of the most thoroughly researched plant-based medicines for gastrointestinal disorders. The efficacy of Iberogast’s unique blend is supported by several medical guidelines used by doctors treating functional dyspepsia. It works on various parts of the gut through a carefully selected combination of herbal extracts. Depending on the specific formulation, Iberogast® contains either 6 or 9 different extracts, each comprising multiple natural compounds that work together synergistically. A recent publication review offers a comprehensive summary of the evidence supporting Iberogast’s herbal formulation, highlighting its efficacy in digestive health.
Iberogast is recognized as a first line option for Functional Dyspepsia. This advancement is reflected in the Rome V guidelines published by the Rome Foundation, one of the world’s highly respected expert networks in digestive health research. It enables healthcare professionals (HCPs) to make confident, guideline-aligned recommendations to improve outcomes for patients with Functional Dyspepsia.
Iberoflora® – Probiotic Support
Iberoflora® contains Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG®, the world’s most studied probiotic strain, with strong evidence supporting its use in various gastrointestinal disorders in children. For adults, Iberoflora® offers three powerful probiotics and maltodextrin, all in a convenient capsule that fits seamlessly into busy lives.
MiraLAX® – Gentle Constipation Relief
MiraLAX® is the #1 doctor-recommended OTC brand in the United States for effective relief of occasional constipation. It works naturally with the water in your body to unblock your system without harsh side effects.
Alka-Seltzer® – Multi-Symptom Relief
Alka-Seltzer® products offer fast relief from a variety of symptoms, including occasional heartburn, sour stomach, upset stomach associated with heartburn and acid indigestion, and pain.
Rennie® – Fast Heartburn Relief
Rennie® provides a fast-acting, effective remedy for heartburn and indigestion. Antacids like Rennie® neutralize excess stomach acid, helping to relieve acid reflux.
Talcid® – Heartburn and Indigestion Relief
For over 40 years, Talcid® has helped people improve digestive health with safe and effective solutions for heartburn relief. In China, Talcid has expanded into the areas of indigestion and constipation relief.
Cara Care® - Prescribed digital health application for IBS
First precision health tool to offer patients with IBS a novel, holistic approach. The app integrates multidisciplinary approaches such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dietary recommendations for treating IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain combined with irregular bowel movements.
Find out more about other digestive health brands such as Citrosodina, Dicoflor, Geffer, Lefax, Phillips, and explore our trusted self-care solutions here.
We understand that digestive problems can interfere with daily life and compromise overall health. Bayer continues to leverage science and innovation to ensure these disruptions do not hold consumers back, empowering them with evidence-based products that support healthy digestion and gut balance and relieve symptoms. Our commitment goes beyond symptom relief, we are actively advancing research into the gut-brain microbiome connection, driving forward new solutions that improve health outcomes.
Common questions related to Digestive Health (FAQ)
Common digestive symptoms include:
- Upper abdominal discomfort, pressure, or pain
- A feeling of fullness or bloating, especially after meals
- Heartburn or burning sensations rising from the stomach
- Nausea
- Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or bloating
These symptoms do not always mean there is visible damage or disease. In many people, they are linked to how the gut moves, senses, and responds to food, stress, and everyday life.
Digestive health medicinal products are intended for people experiencing symptoms such as heartburn, abdominal discomfort, bloating, nausea, or changes in bowel habits.
Depending on the product, they may:
- Relieve heartburn or acid related discomfort
- Reduce upper abdominal pain, pressure, or fullness
- Help ease bloating, gas, or bowel related discomfort
- Address more than one digestive symptom at the same time
These products are used for symptom relief, based on clearly defined indications and instructions on the product label.
Understanding these differences helps individuals choose appropriate self care strategies and recognize when further evaluation may be needed:
- “Indigestion” is a common, everyday term people use to describe upper digestive discomfort. In clinical practice, these symptoms are often labeled functional dyspepsia
- Functional Dyspepsia: set of bothersome upper digestive symptoms, including post meal fullness, early satiety, or pain or burning in the upper abdomen
- Reflux describes the movement of stomach contents back into the esophagus. This can happen occasionally in many people.
- Heartburn is a symptom, typically felt as a burning sensation behind the breastbone. It occurs when refluxed stomach contents irritate the esophagus.
Not everyone who has reflux feels heartburn, and not everyone with heartburn has visible damage to the esophagus. The presence, frequency, and impact of symptoms are what determine whether medical evaluation is needed Bayer contributes to digestive health education by helping clarify such distinctions through evidence based resources.
Digestive health solutions encompass a variety of product categories developed to address different digestive needs and symptom patterns. These products are typically selected based on symptoms, duration, and individual preferences. Availability and formulations may vary by country. Common categories include:
- Products for acid related symptoms: Used for heartburn or acid related discomfort
- Products for upper digestive discomfort: Used for fullness, pressure, or indigestion after meals
- Products for bowel related symptoms: Used for bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea
- Multi symptom approaches: Some products are designed to address more than one digestive symptom at the same time
Bayer develops digestive health solutions using rigorous quality controls and scientific evaluation, ensuring products are positioned appropriately for self care within regulated frameworks.
Some digestive health products are suitable for regular or repeated use when used as directed and in accordance with their labeling. Long term use should always align with the product’s labeling and clinical rationale. Suitability depends on the product type and the nature of the symptoms.
- General considerations include whether symptoms are occasional or recurring
- Always follow the instructions in the product information. Do not exceed the recommended dose and intended duration of use.
- Monitor tolerance and whether symptoms improve
- Periodic reassessment of symptom patterns and seeking professional advice for ongoing concerns
Bayer emphasizes medically responsible use by clearly communicating the recommended use, the limits of self-care, and the importance of monitoring symptoms over time. If needed you should always consult your healthcare professional for advice.
Digestive function is closely linked to everyday lifestyle choices and environmental factors. These influences can affect symptom frequency, intensity, and perception.
Lifestyle factors commonly associated with digestive comfort include:
- Eating patterns, meal size, and certain foods and beverages composition
- Stress and emotional well being
- Sleep and physical activity
- Alcohol consumption and smoking habits
Bayer supports a holistic approach to digestive well-being by integrating lifestyle education with science-based self-care solutions.
Digestive symptoms should be observed carefully when they change in pattern, increase in frequency, or persist despite self care measures. Monitoring helps distinguish between transient discomforts and signals that may require medical input
- Appear suddenly without an obvious trigger
- Over the counter measures are ineffective
- Persist for several weeks
- Become progressively worse and interfere with daily activities
- Digestive concerns coexist with other health conditions
Bayer reinforces the importance of symptom awareness and responsible decision making, helping individuals understand when self care is appropriate and when professional healthcare advise is needed.
Digestive health products should always be taken exactly as described on the product label.
This is important because:
- Dosage and timing are based on how the product was tested
- Safety and effectiveness were evaluated under these conditions
- Using products differently may reduce their expected benefit
This site is intended for an international audience. Not all products discussed may be available in your country. Local prescribing information and approved indications may vary.
1 Sperber, Ami D. et al. Worldwide Prevalence and Burden of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Results of Rome Foundation Global Study. Gastroenterology, Volume 160, Issue 1, 99 - 114.e3
2 Global Rome guideline: Stanghellini et al. Gastroenterology 2016; 150 (6) 2. German S1 Guideline: Storr M et al. Z Gastroenterol 2025; 63: 403–422 . 3. Mexican Consensus: Carmona-Sánchez, R et al. Revista de gastroenterologia de Mexico vol. 82,4 (2017): 309-327
