Why nexium tablets

A rapid release would cause the medication to be broken down by the stomach acid. Other ways of taking it include mixing granules with water, and delivering this solution through a feeding tube.

It is usually taken once a day, at the same time every day, around 1 hour before eating. For some conditions, it is taken twice a day. Less commonly, it may lead to :. There is some evidence that long-term use of esomeprazole can increase the chances of hip fracture.

One theory is that PPIs interfere with calcium absorption, which may weaken bones. Another is that they impact normal bone recycling by inhibiting proton pumps in the body that are involved in bone creation and remodeling.

One study found no link between intestinal calcium absorption and PPI use in women after menopause. The researchers note that this could be because it was a short-term investigation, lasting only 30 days, or because people who use a PPI may have other risk factors already. Other studies have found no link between low calcium absorption and PPI use. Some researchers suggest that some people are prescribed a PPI without needing one, and that discontinuing use could reduce the risk of infection.

One study of data for 63, hospital admissions to a hospital in Boston, MA, from January through December , found that patients using PPIs had a percent higher chance of developing hospital-acquired pneumonia. Over half of the patients admitted were prescribed a PPI, and 2, of them acquired pneumonia in the hospital, or 3.

A study in the United Kingdom U. Nexium and other PPIs may be associated with hyperplasia, or a thickening of the stomach lining, which could lead to a benign tumor.

However, evidence supporting this is limited. Some studies have found a correlation between PPIs and chronic kidney disease , but it is not clear whether the link is causal. Some evidence suggests that, because gastric acid breaks down food, and because PPIs reduce the levels of acid, nutritional deficits may occur. Some researchers have suggested that PPIs might interfere with the absorption of calcium, iron, and vitamin B 12, but more studies are needed to confirm this.

There are many confounding variables, however, and how these factors interact is not yet fully understood. The strongest evidence for nutritional shortfalls is in regard to magnesium.

However, like most medicines, PPIs have side effects, so it's best to take them for the shortest time possible. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned. Usually, you can stop taking esomeprazole without reducing the dose first. If you've taken esomeprazole for a long time speak to your doctor before you stop taking it. Stopping suddenly could make your stomach produce a lot more acid, and make your symptoms come back. Reducing the dose gradually before stopping completely will prevent this happening.

Like esomeprazole, these medicines are proton pump inhibitors. They work in the same way as esomeprazole to reduce acid in your stomach. They generally work as well as esomeprazole and have similar side effects, but may be given in different doses. Sometimes, if esomeprazole isn't working or doesn't agree with you, your doctor may suggest that you try taking another proton pump inhibitor. There are other pharmacy and prescription medicines for indigestion and heartburn.

Antacids , like calcium carbonate Tums , sodium bicarbonate, Maalox and Milk of Magnesia, relieve indigestion and heartburn by neutralising the acid in your stomach.

They give quick relief that lasts for a few hours. They're ideal for occasional stomach acid symptoms. Some antacids, such as Gaviscon , have an extra ingredient called alginic acid. They work by lining your stomach so that juices from it don't splash up into your foodpipe.

H2 blockers histamine antagonists reduce the amount of acid made in your stomach, but they do this in a different way to proton pump inhibitors. They include famotidine Pepcid , ranitidine Zantac , cimetidine Tagamet and nizatidine Axid. In general, proton pump inhibitors like esomeprazole are used first because they are better than H2 blockers at reducing stomach acid.

However, if you don't get on with a proton pump inhibitor for example, because of side effects , your doctor may prescribe an H2 blocker. You can buy famotidine and ranitidine without a prescription from pharmacies. You can take esomeprazole with an antacid, for example Gaviscon. Take it 2 hours before or after your dose of esomeprazole. Yes, it's safe to take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen at the same time as esomeprazole.

It's best to take ibuprofen with, or just after, a meal so it doesn't upset your stomach. There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking esomeprazole will reduce fertility in either men or women. However, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant. They may want to review your treatment. Esomeprazole doesn't affect any type of regular contraception including the combined pill. It may reduce the effectiveness of one type of emergency contraception called ellaOne ulipristal , so a different emergency contraceptive may be recommended instead.

Occasionally, esomeprazole can make you feel dizzy or sleepy or affect your vision. If this happens to you, do not drive, cycle or use machinery or tools until you feel better. Yes, you can drink alcohol with esomeprazole. However, drinking alcohol makes your stomach produce more acid than normal. This can irritate your stomach lining and make your symptoms worse. However, you should avoid foods that seem to make your indigestion worse, such as rich, spicy and fatty foods.

You should also cut down on caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee and cola, as well as alcohol. It may be possible to ease symptoms caused by too much stomach acid by making a few changes to your diet and lifestyle:.

Page last reviewed: 16 November Next review due: 16 November Esomeprazole On this page About esomeprazole Key facts Who can and cannot take esomeprazole How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About esomeprazole Esomeprazole reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. Esomeprazole comes as capsules, tablets, granules and as a liquid. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? It's usual to take esomeprazole once a day in the morning. Common side effects include headache, diarrhoea and stomach pain. These tend to be mild and go away when you stop taking the medicine. When esomeprazole is mixed with naproxen it's called the by brand name Vimovo.

If you've bought esomeprazole without a prescription and your symptoms don't improve after 2 weeks, see a doctor before taking any more. To make sure that it is safe for you, tell your doctor if you: have had an allergic reaction to esomeprazole or any other medicines in the past have liver problems cannot absorb certain types of sugars including glucose or sucrose are due to have an endoscopy Ask your doctor if you should stop taking esomeprazole a few weeks before your endoscopy.

How much to take Each tablet or capsule contains 20mg or 40mg. Each sachet contains 10mg. The usual dose to treat: heartburn and acid reflux is 20mg a day gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is 20mg to 40mg a day stomach ulcers is 20mg a day Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is 80mg a day - this can increase to mg a day depending on how well it works for you Doses are usually lower for children and people with liver problems.

Will my dose go up or down? How long will I take it for? What if I forget to take it? If you usually take it: once a day , take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's less than 12 hours until your next dose - in which case skip the missed dose.

What if I take too much? However, check with your doctor if you have taken too much and have any of these symptoms: feeling sweaty a fast heartbeat feeling sleepy blurred vision feeling confused or agitated. Common side effects Common side effects may happen in more than 1 in people.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don't go away: headaches diarrhoea feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting constipation stomach pain or wind Serious side effects Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in 1, people. Call a doctor straight away if you have: joint pain and abnormal changes in your skin, especially in parts of your body exposed to the sun, such as a red, raised rash on your arms that can spread, blisters, or a red rash on your cheeks and nose.

These can be signs of a rare condition called subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. This can happen even if you've been taking esomeprazole for a long time. For NERD heartburn and reflux , the recommended dose is 20 mg once daily for 2 to 4 weeks. Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications.

If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor. Esomeprazole tablets can be taken with or without food.

They should be swallowed whole - do not crush or chew them. Alternatively, the tablet may be stirred into half a glass of noncarbonated water until it disintegrates. Drink the liquid containing the small pellets of medication immediately, or within 30 minutes.

To ensure you get the full dose of the medication, rinse the glass with more water and drink it. The sachets of esomeprazole contain granules for oral suspension.

Pour all the granules of one sachet into a glass containing one tablespoon 15 mL of water, stir, and leave for a few minutes to allow the mixture to thicken. Stir again and drink it within 30 minutes. It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule.

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not dispose of medications in wastewater e. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects. Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:. Some people may experience side effects other than those listed.

Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication. Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Bone health: Studies suggest that the use of esomeprazole, like other PPIs, may be related to an increase risk of fractures, particularly for people who take this medication for a year or longer.