Esomeprazole

Uses of Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole is used to treat heartburn and certain other conditions caused by too much acid in the stomach.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid backs up into your esophagus
• To treat or help prevent ulcers
• To treat or help prevent erosive esophagitis (EE)
• Other conditions where your stomach makes too much acid
• Treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections

Precautions and Warnings

People who are allergic to any of the following should not use esomeprazole.

• Nexium
• Nexium 24 HR
• Nexium IV
• Esomeprazole
• Any other medicine known as a proton pump inhibitor
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific esomeprazole products they stock.

 Esomeprazole should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking esomeprazole, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about esomeprazole before using it?

Do not take esomeprazole unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share esomeprazole with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep esomeprazole out of the reach of children.

Do not chew, cut, or crush esomeprazole.

Antacids may be taken with esomeprazole if needed.

Esomeprazole should not be used for immediate relief of heartburn. It may take 1 to 4 days for the medicine to fully work.

If you are having difficulty swallowing the esomeprazole capsule, you may open them and sprinkle the contents on 1 tablespoon of applesauce. Swallow the applesauce right away. Don’t mix the contents with any other food.

Use an accurate measuring device to measure the amount of water needed to mix your esomeprazole oral liquid dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using esomeprazole?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if esomeprazole is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

• Low blood potassium level (hypokalemia)
• Low blood magnesium level (hypomagnesemia)
• Low blood calcium level (hypocalcemia)
• Liver problems

 Esomeprazole may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using esomeprazole, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

It is not known if or how esomeprazole could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take esomeprazole while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Do not take esomeprazole while you are breastfeeding. Esomeprazole can pass into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Dosage

Prescription esomeprazole is usually taken once a day at least 1 hour before a meal. When prescription esomeprazole is used to treat certain conditions in which the stomach makes too much acid, it is taken twice a day.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Gas
• Stomach pain
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Injection site reaction (esomeprazole IV)
• Dizziness (esomeprazole IV)