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Esomeprazole (Nexium)

 

Esomeprazole (generic Nexium) Review

brand name: Nexium
generic names: Esomeprazole, Esomeprazole magnesium

How does it work?

Nexium tablets and injection contain the active ingredient esomeprazole, which is a type of medicine called a proton pump inhibitor. It acts in the stomach to decrease the production of stomach acid.

Proton pumps are found on cells that line the stomach and are used by these cells to produce stomach acid. Esomeprazole works by inhibiting the action of the proton pumps, and this reduces the production of stomach acid.

Acid is produced in the stomach as a normal part of the digestive process. However, in the condition known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux, this acid is allowed to flow back into the food pipe (oesophagus), where it causes pain and a burning sensation known as heartburn. The acid can also irritate and cause inflammation of the lining of the foodpipe (reflux oesophagitis).

Esomeprazole reduces the production of stomach acid and thus reduces acid flowing back into the foodpipe. It is used to relieve the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, such as heartburn. It is also used to treat reflux oesophagitis, because stopping the acid flowing back into the foodpipe allows the lining of the foodpipe to heal. Esomeprazole is also used for the long-term management of people with healed oesophagitis, as suppressing the production of stomach acid helps prevent this condition recurring.

Esomeprazole is also used to treat ulcers in the stomach or upper intestine (peptic ulcers) that are associated with a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. This type of bacteria is the most common cause of peptic ulcers. The bacteria cause the stomach to produce too much acid, which irritates the lining of the stomach and upper intestine and causes ulcers.

Esomeprazole is used in combination with antibiotics to eradicate Helicobacter pylori from the gut. The esomeprazole creates an environment in the gut in which the antibiotics can work effectively against the H pylori bacteria. The reduced acid in the gut allows the ulcer to heal, and both actions help prevent the ulcer from recurring.

Esomeprazole can also be used to prevent and treat peptic ulcers that occur as a side effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat arthritis, for example diclofenac.

What is the most important information I should know about esomeprazole?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to esomeprazole or to any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole (Albenza), or mebendazole (Vermox). Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of liver disease. You may not be able to use esomeprazole, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Some conditions are treated with a combination of esomeprazole and antibiotics. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed. Do not crush, break, or open a delayed-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Why is Nexium (Esomeprazole) prescribed?

Nexium relieves heartburn and other symptoms caused by the backflow of stomach acid into the canal to the stomach (the esophagus)--a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is also prescribed to heal the damage (erosive esophagitis) that reflux disease can cause.

Prescribed in combination with the antibiotics Biaxin and Amoxil, Nexium is also used to treat the infection that causes most duodenal ulcers (ulcers occurring just beyond the exit from the stomach).

Like its sister drug Prilosec, Nexium (Esomeprazole) works by reducing the production of stomach acid.

How should I take this medicine?

Take esomeprazole capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water; do not crush, break or chew. The capsules can be opened and the contents sprinkled on applesauce or yogurt, given with fruit juices, or swallowed immediately with water. Do not crush the contents into the food. Esomeprazole works best if taken on an empty stomach at least one hour before a meal. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Warning!

• Treatment with this medicine may lead to a slightly increased risk of stomach infections such as salmonella, due to the decreased acidity in the stomach.
  
  
• Stomach cancer can have similar symptoms to stomach ulcers, and these symptoms can also be relieved by esomeprazole. For this reason, if your doctor thinks you have a stomach ulcer, they should make sure you don't have stomach cancer before you start treatment with this medicine. Otherwise, this medicine could mask the symptoms of stomach cancer and therefore delay the diagnosis. This is particularly important if you are middle aged or older and have new or recently changed symptoms.
  
  
• Nexium tablets should be swallowed whole; do not chew or crush them. If you have difficulty swallowing the tablets whole they can be dispersed in a glass of still water. Stir until the tablets disintegrate. The mixture will not be clear, as it will contain solid granules from the tablet. These should not be crushed or chewed, as they contain the medicine and are covered with a special coating. Drink the mixture immediately or at least within 30 minutes (stir again before drinking). To ensure you have taken all the medicine rinse the glass with water and drink. Do not use any other liquid to disperse the tablets, as this may affect the medicine.
  
  

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an esomeprazole overdose include confusion, loss of coordination, tremor, shortness of breath, flushing, sweating, dry mouth, nausea, fast heartbeat, blurred vision, drowsiness, headache, or seizure (convulsions).