Nexium
Generic Name: Esomeprazole magnesium
Brand Name: Nexium
Indications
Nexium is indicated in the treatment of
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
- Treatment and prevention of peptic ulcers associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Eradicating Helicobacter pylori bacteria from the gut (in combination with antibiotics), which helps to heal peptic ulcers and prevent them from recurring.
- Excessive secretion of stomach acid due to a tumour or enlargement of the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
Dosage and administration
Nexium is supplied in delayed-release capsules and in packets for a delayed-release oral suspension. Each delayed-release capsule contains 20 mg, or 40 mg of esomeprazole. Nexium for Delayed-Release Oral Suspension contains 10 mg, 20 mg, or 40 mg of esomeprazole.
Normal Dosage:
- Take exactly as directed by your doctor
- Take each dose of Nexium with a full glass of water.
- Nexium should be taken at least one hour before a meal. Follow your doctor's instructions.
- Do not break or chew the Nexium capsules. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in the body.
- If you have difficulty swallowing the capsules, one tablespoon of applesauce can be added to an empty bowl and the capsule can be opened, and the pellets inside the capsule carefully emptied onto the applesauce. The pellets should be mixed with the applesauce and then swallowed immediately. The applesauce should not be hot and should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. The pellets should not be chewed or crushed. The pellet/ applesauce mixture should not be stored for later use.
- Do not stop taking medication even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.
- Store Nexium at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Overdose: overdose symptoms include drowsiness, shortness of breath, tremor, loss of coordination, and seizures.
Drug Description
The active ingredient in Nexium Delayed-Release Capsules and Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension is bis(5-methoxy-2-[(S)-[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole-1-yl) magnesium trihydrate, a compound that inhibits gastric acid secretion. Esomeprazole is the S-isomer of omeprazole, which is a mixture of the S- and R- isomers. The Initial U.S. approval date of esomeprazole magnesium was 2001. Its molecular formula is (C17H18N3O3S)2 Mg x 3 H2O with molecular weight of 767.2 as a trihydrate and 713.1 on an anhydrous basis. The structural formula is:
The magnesium salt is a white to slightly colored crystalline powder. It contains 3 moles of water of solvation and is slightly soluble in water.
The stability of esomeprazole magnesium is a function of pH; it rapidly degrades in acidic media, but it has acceptable stability under alkaline conditions. At pH 6.8 (buffer), the half-life of the magnesium salt is about 19 hours at 25°C and about 8 hours at 37°C.
Side Effects
The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Headache.
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain.
- Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence).
- Dry mouth.
- Skin reactions such as rash and itch.
- Inflammation of the skin (dermatitis).
- Dizziness.
- Pins and needles (paraesthesia).
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia).
- Sleepiness (somnolence).
- Swelling of the legs and ankles due to excess fluid retention (peripheral oedema).
- Pain in the muscles and joints.
- Increased sweating.
- Hair loss.
- Taste disturbance.
- Blurred vision.
- Depression.
- Agitation.
- Confusion.
- Liver or blood disorders.
Precautions
- Before taking Nexium, tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of liver disease. You may not be able to take medicine, or you may require special dosage or monitoring.
- Nexium belongs to the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is likely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Drug Interactions
- Before taking Nexium, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
- itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others)
- You may not be able to take Nexium, or you may require a special dosage or monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
