Esomeprazole Magnesium (Nexium) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Nexium is used to treat damage to the esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid.
How should it be used?
This medication is available in both capsule and oral liquid forms.
- Take 1 hour before food.
- Take at the same time each day.
- If taking the capsule form, you should swallow it whole.
- If unable to swallow the capsule, you may mix the contents of the capsule with 1 tablespoon of applesauce and swallow immediately.
- If taking the liquid form:
- Empty the contents of a packet into the container with 1 tablespoon of water,
- Stir,
- Leave 2 to 3 minutes to thicken,
- Stir and drink within 30 minutes,
- If any medicine remains after drinking, add more water, stir and drink right away
Tell the doctor about all of the medications (including over the counter), vitamins, herbal products, and supplements you are taking before taking this medication.
Before you begin taking Nexium, tell the doctor if you:
- Have a problem (hypersensitivity) to esomeprazole, substituted benzimidazoles, or any other ingredient in the capsule or oral liquid forms of the drug.
- Are allergic to any other proton pump inhibitor medication.
- Have liver problems.
- Are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding .
- Take warfarin, ketoconazole, voriconazole, atazanavir, products that contain iron, or digoxin.
Side Effects
The most common side effects include: diarrhea, headache, nausea, drowsiness.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of an allergic reaction including:
- Diarrhea
- Feeling sick
- Fever, shivering/chills, rash
- Muscle and bone pain
- Kidney problems (changes in the amount of urine or color of urine)
- Tiredness, dizziness
- Itching
- Swelling
- Trouble breathing
Additional side effects may be found on the drug’s website at http://www.purplepill.com/index.aspx
Storage Conditions
This medication should be stored at room temperature. Keep out of reach of children. Protect from sunlight and moisture.
Emergency/Overdose
Call the national poison control center 1-800-222-1222 or 911 in the event of overdose. Symptoms of an overdose include vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection.
Pediatric Use
The safety and efficacy of this drug in pediatric patients less than 1 year of age have not been established.
Nexium Ingredients
-Nexium for Delayed-Release Capsules contain esomeprazole, flyceryl monostearate 40-55, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, methacryllic acid copolymer type C, polysorbate 80, sugar spheres, talc, and triethyl citrate. The capsule shells contain: gelatin, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40, D&C Red #28, titanium dioxide, shellac, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and D7C Yellow #10.
Nexium for Delayed-Release Oral Suspension contains esomeprazole, dextrose, santhan gum, crospovidone, citric acid, iron oxide, and hydroxypropyl cellulose.