What is Esomeprazole?
Esomeprazole is an inhibitor of the proton pump that reduces the amount of acid in the stomach that is formed. Esomeprazole is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other disorders such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome that include excessive stomach acid.
Esomeprazole Uses
- Esomeprazole is used to treat some problems with the stomach and esophagus (acid reflux, ulcers). It works by reducing the quantity of acid produced by the stomach. Symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty in swallowing, and constant coughing are alleviated.
- This medication helps in curing stomach and esophagus acid damage and helps to prevent ulcers and may help to prevent oesophagal cancer. Esomeprazole belongs to a class of medications which is known as proton pump inhibitors.
- Esomeprazole over-the-counter drugs are used to treat chronic heartburn if you are self-treated with this drug (occurring 2 or more days a week). As it can take 1 to 4 days for these products to have full effect, they do not alleviate heartburn.
How to use
- If available from your pharmacist, read the Drug Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet before you start taking esomeprazole and any time you get a refill.
- Take this medication by mouth, usually once a day, at least 1 hour before a meal, as instructed by your doctor. Follow all instructions on the product box if you are self-treating. The dosage and duration of therapy completely depend on the medical condition and treatment reaction of your body. Do not raise your dosage or take this medicine more often than what is prescribed to you.
- Do not smash this drug or chew it. Swallow entire capsules. You can open the capsule and spray the contents into a tablespoon of unheated applesauce if you have trouble swallowing this medication whole. Without swallowing it, swallow the applesauce mixture right away. For later usage, do not prepare the mixture ahead of time. Doing so could ruin the drug.
- Antacids should be taken along with this medication if it is needed. Take esomeprazole at least 30 minutes prior to sucralfate if you are not taking sucralfate.
- To get the most value from it, take this drug at the same time. And if you are feeling better, continue to take this drug for the recommended/prescribed period of treatment time.
- If your condition stays the same or aggravates, tell your doctor. Tell your doctor if your heartburn occurs after 14 days, or if you need to use this drug more than once every 4 months if you are self-treated.
Esomeprazole Side Effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Constipation
- Dry Mouth
- Drowsiness
- Blisters or Peeling Skin
- Hives
- Rash
- Itching
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips,
- Swelling of eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower Legs
- Hoarseness
- Irregular, fast, or pounding heartbeat
- Excessive Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Light headednes
- Muscle Spasms, cramps, or weakness
- Jitteriness
- Shaking of a part of the body
- Seizures
- Severe diarrhea with watery stools
- Stomach Pain
- Fever
- New worsening joint pain
- Rash on cheeks
- Rashes on arms That Is Sensitive to Sunlight
- Decreased Urination
- Blood in the Urine
Precautions
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist whether you are allergic to esomeprazole or related medicines (such as lansoprazole, omeprazole) before taking esomeprazole or if you have any other allergies. There may be inactive ingredients present in this substance that may cause allergic reactions or other problems.
- Inform your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, particularly of liver disease, lupus, before taking this drug.
- Signs of a more severe/serious condition may simply be some symptoms. If you have: heartburn with lightheadedness/sweating/dizziness, chest/jaw/arm/shoulder pain (especially with shortness of breath, excessive sweating), unexplained weight gain, get medical attention right away.
- If you have any of these symptoms of a serious condition before self-treating with this drug, get medical attention right away: trouble/pain swallowing food, bleeding vomit, vomit that looks like coffee-coloured, bloody or black stools, heartburn for more than 3 months, constant chest pain, wheezing, nausea/vomiting, pain in the stomach.
- Inform your doctor of all the medications you were using before and need before having surgery (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
- Your risk of bone fractures can be increased by proton pump inhibitors (such as esomeprazole), particularly with longer use, higher doses, and in older adults.
- Senior citizens/Older adults may be more prone to this drug's side effects, especially bone loss and fractures (see above), and C. Challenging infection.
- Children may be more vulnerable/prone to this drug's side effects, especially fever, or cough, and nose/throat/airway infections.
- This drug should not be used during pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor the risks and advantages.
- Whether this drug passes into breast milk is not known. Similar medications do, however, transfer into breast milk. The results are unclear on a breastfeeding child. Before breastfeeding, consult the doctor.
Interactions
Cilostazol, clopidogrel, methotrexate (especially high-dose treatment), rifampin, St John's wort, are some of the drugs that can interfere with this medication.
Some products may require gastric acid so that they can get fully absorbed by the body. Esomeprazole lowers stomach acid, so how well these products perform will change. Atazanavir, erlotinib, nelfinavir, pazopanib, rilpivirine, and some azole antifungals ( such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole) are some affected drugs.
Esomeprazole, like omeprazole, is somewhat similar. Do not take any omeprazole-containing drugs when using esomeprazole.
Strengths and Dosage Forms
- 20mg (Rx/OTC)
- 40 milligrams
- (strontium salt) 24.65 mg (adult only)
- (strontium salt) 49.3 mg (adult only)
Delayed result of the Tablet (as magnesium)
- 20 mg
Injection, reconstitutive powder
- Twenty mg/vial
- 40 mg/vials
Oral Suspension Packets
- 10 milligrams
- 20 mg
- 40 milligram
Missed Dose
When you forget to take any doses, take the dose immediately when you recall. Do not take two doses to match the forgotten dose.
Overdose
If you have consumed too much of this drug seek medical help or call the emergency number.
Storage
Store it away from direct heat, moisture and sunlight.
Esomeprazole Vs Omeprazole
Esomeprazole |
Omeprazole |
|---|---|
| Esomeprazole sold under the brand name Nexium | Omeprazole is sold under the brand names Prilosec and Losec |
| Esomeprazole is used to treat some problems with the stomach and esophagus (acid reflux, ulcers). | Is a medication used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Zollinger–Ellison syndromes. |
| Formula: C17H19N3O3S | Formula: C17H19N3O3S |
| Esomeprazole is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other disorders such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome that include excessive stomach acid. | omeprazole is also used to treat damage from GERD in adults and children. |
