Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole is a medication that is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, H. pylori infections, and other conditions. Marketed under the brand name Nexium, esomeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which decrease the amount of acid in your stomach by blocking the acid production sites. Potential side effects of esomeprazole may include nausea, headaches, and diarrhea.

 

What Is Esomeprazole?

Esomeprazole (marketed under the brand name Nexium®) is a medication that is used to treat a number of conditions within the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Nexium is also known as "the purple pill" because it is a purple capsule with two or three gold rings, depending on the strength.
 

Who Makes Esomeprazole?

Esomeprazole is manufactured by AstraZeneca and sold under the brand name Nexium.
 

What Is Esomeprazole Used For?

Esomeprazole is licensed to treat a number of conditions. These esomeprazole uses include:
 
  • Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Treatment of erosive esophagitis
  • Prevention of stomach ulcers in people taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
  • Treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections
  • Treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions (in which stomach acid is greatly overproduced), such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
     

How Does Esomeprazole Work?

Esomeprazole is part of a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It decreases the amount of acid in your stomach by blocking the acid production sites.
 

Effects of Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole reduces the amount of acid in your stomach, helping heartburn and other GERD symptoms go away. Also, by lowering the amount of stomach acid, any damage to the esophagus, stomach, or intestines has time to heal.
 

Esomeprazole: When and How Do I Take It?

General considerations for when and how to take esomeprazole include the following:
 
  • Esomeprazole comes in capsules and in powder form (used to make an oral suspension). Normally, it should be taken once a day, at least one hour before a meal.
     
  • Esomeprazole should be taken at the same time each day, to maintain an even level of the drug in your system.
     
  • Esomeprazole powder comes in single-dose packets. Mix one packet with 15 mL (1 tablespoonful) of water and let sit for two or three minutes to thicken. Stir and drink within 30 minutes. If any medication remains in the container, add more water, stir, and drink again.
     
  • For esomeprazole to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Esomeprazole will not work if you stop taking it.
      

Dosing Guidelines for Esomeprazole

The dose of esomeprazole recommended by your healthcare provider will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider to do so.
 
(Click Esomeprazole Dosing for more information about dosing for esomeprazole.)
 

Side Effects of Esomeprazole

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects associated with esomeprazole. Not everyone who takes the medication will experience esomeprazole side effects. When people do develop esomeprazole side effects, in most cases they are minor, meaning that they require no treatment or are easily treated by a healthcare provider.
 
Common side effects of esomeprazole include, but are not limited to:
 
(Click Esomeprazole Side Effects to learn more about specific side effects of esomeprazole.)
 

Potential Drug Interactions Involving Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole potentially has a number of medicines with which it can interact.
 
(Click Esomeprazole Drug Interactions for more information about esomeprazole and these other medicines.)
 

Esomeprazole: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Prior to taking esomeprazole, let your healthcare provider know if you:
 
  • Have liver disease or liver failure
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have any allergies.
     
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Esomeprazole Precautions and Warnings for more information on this topic, including information on who should not take esomeprazole.)
 

Esomeprazole: Overdose

People who take too much esomeprazole may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Confusion
  • Blurred vision
  • Increased heart rate (tachycardia).
     
If you happen to overdose on esomeprazole, seek medical attention immediately.
 

Esomeprazole: Storage Methods

Esomeprazole should be stored at room temperature. Esomeprazole capsules should be kept in an airtight container.
 
Keep esomeprazole and all medications out of the reach of children.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Esomeprazole?

If you do not take your esomeprazole as scheduled, take your next scheduled dose at its regular time. Never take a double dose!
 

Esomeprazole: Strengths

Esomeprazole comes in a number of strengths. These include:
 
  • Nexium 20 mg capsules
  • Nexium 40 mg capsules
  • Nexium for oral suspension 10 mg packets
  • Nexium for oral suspension 20 mg packets
  • Nexium for oral suspension 40 mg packets.
      
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;