Description

What is Nexium?

Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) is a proton pump inhibitor that decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Nexium is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your oesophagus caused by stomach acid).

Nexium may also be given to prevent gastric ulcer caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), or by the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Nexium is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Important Information

Nexium can cause kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you are urinating less than usual, or if you have blood in your urine.

Diarrhea may be a sign of a new infection. Call your doctor if you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it.

Esomeprazole may cause new or worsening symptoms of lupus. Tell your doctor if you have joint pain and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.

You may be more likely to have a broken bone while taking this medicine long term or more than once per day.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Nexium if you are allergic to esomeprazole or to similar medicines such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (AcipHex).

Heartburn can mimic early symptoms of a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder and you feel anxious or light-headed.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• severe liver disease;
• lupus;
• osteoporosis or low bone mineral density (osteopenia); or
• low levels of magnesium in your blood.

You may be more likely to have a broken bone in your hip, wrist, or spine while taking a proton pump inhibitor long-term or more than once per day. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How should I take Nexium?

Use Nexium exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Nexium should be taken at least one hour before a meal.

Do not crush or chew a delayed-release capsule. However to make swallowing easier, you may open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of pudding or applesauce. Swallow right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use.

The capsule can be given through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Esomeprazole is usually given for 4 to 8 weeks only. Your doctor may recommend a second course of treatment if you need additional healing time.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse while you are taking this medicine.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using esomeprazole.

Some conditions are treated with a combination of esomeprazole and antibiotics. Use all medications as directed.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Nexium?

This medicine can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Nexium side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction ro Nexium: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• seizure (convulsions);
• kidney problems – urinating more or less than usual, blood in your urine, swelling, rapid weight gain;
• low magnesium – dizziness, fast or irregular heart rate, tremors (shaking) or jerking muscle movements, feeling jittery, muscle cramps, muscle spasms in your hands and feet, cough or choking feeling; or
• new or worsening symptoms of lupus – joint pain, and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.

Taking esomeprazole long-term may cause you to develop stomach growths called fundic gland polyps. Talk with your doctor about this risk.

If you use esomeprazole for longer than 3 years, you could develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor about how to manage this condition if you develop it.

Common Nexium side effects may include:

• headache, drowsiness;
• mild diarrhea;
• nausea, stomach pain, gas, constipation; or
• dry mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to  [email protected].

What other drugs will affect Nexium?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect esomeprazole, especially:

• cilostazol;
• clopidogrel;
• diazepam;
• digoxin;
• erlotinib;
• iron-containing medicines (ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate, and others);
• methotrexate;
• mycophenolate mofetil;
• rifampin;
• St. John’s wort;
• tacrolimus;
• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
• antifungal medication – ketoconazole, voriconazole; or
• HIV/AIDS medication – atazanavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with esomeprazole. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

Along with its needed effects, esomeprazole (the active ingredient contained in Nexium) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking esomeprazole:

Incidence not known

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• bloating
• chills
• constipation
• cough
• darkened urine
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• fast heartbeat
• fever
• indigestion
• joint or muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• mood or mental changes
• muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
• nausea
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• seizures
• skin rash, hives, itching
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• tightness in the chest
• trembling
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• yellow eyes or skin

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

Some side effects of esomeprazole may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• change in taste

Less common

• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Rare

• Acne
• back pain

Incidence not known

• Agitation
• dry mouth
• excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
• full feeling
• hair loss or thinning of the hair
• muscular weakness
• passing gas
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
• swelling or inflammation of the mouth
• swollen joints

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to esomeprazole: intravenous powder for injection, oral delayed release capsule, oral delayed release tablet, oral powder for reconstitution delayed release

General

The most frequently occurring adverse reactions were headache and diarrhea.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions for patients who received triple therapy for 10 days were diarrhea, taste perversion, and abdominal pain.

Esomeprazole (oral delayed release capsule, oral powder for reconstitution, delayed release, intravenous powder for injection, oral delayed release tablet)

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Nexium only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.