Pronunciation: ES-oh-MEP-ra-zole
Generic Name: Esomeprazole
Brand Name: Nexium
Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules are used for:
Treating heartburn or irritation of the esophagus caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It may also be used to prevent stomach ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It may also be used with certain antibiotics to treat ulcers of the small intestines and to prevent them from coming back. It may also be used to treat conditions that cause your body to make too much stomach acid (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules are a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It works by decreasing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
Do NOT use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules or to any similar medicine (eg, omeprazole)
- you are taking dasatinib, certain HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir, nelfinavir), rifampin, or St. John's wort.
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules:
Some medical conditions may interact with Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have low blood potassium or magnesium levels, liver problems or stomach or bowel cancer
- if you have osteoporosis (weak bones), a family history of osteoporosis, or other risk factors of osteoporosis (eg, smoking, poor nutrition)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood magnesium levels may be increased
- Voriconazole because it may increase the risk of Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules's side effects
- Ginkgo biloba, rifampin, or St. John's wort because they may decrease Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules's effectiveness
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), cilostazol, diazepam, digoxin, or saquinavir because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules
- Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), clopidogrel, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir, nelfinavir), iron, mycophenolate, or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (eg, dasatinib, erlotinib) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules:
Use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before eating.
- Swallow Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, you may add 1 tablespoon of applesauce to an empty bowl. Open the capsule and empty the pellets onto the applesauce. Mix the pellets with the applesauce and swallow the mixture right away. The applesauce used should not be hot and should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. Do not chew or crush the pellets. Do not store the mixture for future use.
- You may take antacids while you are using Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules if you are directed to do so by your doctor.
- Continue to take Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules.
Important safety information:
- Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Contact your doctor if you have any symptoms of a bleeding ulcer, such as black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or if you experience throat pain, chest pain, severe stomach pain, or trouble swallowing.
- Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules may increase the risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures in patients with weak bones (osteoporosis). The risk may be greater if you use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules in high doses, for longer than a year, or if you are over 50 years old. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Contact your doctor if you have any questions about this information.
- Low blood magnesium levels have been reported rarely in patients taking PPIs for at least 3 months. In most cases, this effect was seen after a year of treatment. If you will be taking Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules for a long time, or if you take certain other medicines (eg, digoxin, diuretics), your doctor may perform lab tests to check for low blood magnesium levels. Seek medical attention right away if you experience symptoms of low blood magnesium levels (eg, dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; involuntary muscle movements; jitteriness or tremors; muscle aches, cramps, pain, spasms, or weakness; seizures).
- Check with your doctor to see whether you should take a calcium and vitamin D supplement while you use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules.
- Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules.
- Use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially hip, wrist, and spine fractures.
- Caution is advised when using Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules in CHILDREN; they may be more likely to experience drowsiness from Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules.
- Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 1 year old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules while you are pregnant. It is not known if Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules are found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules.
Possible side effects of Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; diarrhea; drowsiness; dry mouth; gas; headache; nausea; stomach pain.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bone pain; chest pain; dark urine; fast heartbeat; fever or chills; persistent sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe diarrhea; severe stomach pain or cramps; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Esomeprazole side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; confusion; fast heartbeat; flushing; increased sweating; severe headache, drowsiness, or nausea.
Proper storage of Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules:
Store Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Esomeprazole resources
- Esomeprazole Side Effects (in more detail)
- Esomeprazole Dosage
- Esomeprazole Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Esomeprazole Drug Interactions
- Esomeprazole Support Group
- 54 Reviews for Esomeprazole - Add your own review/rating
Compare Esomeprazole with other medications
- Barrett's Esophagus
- Duodenal Ulcer Prophylaxis
- Erosive Esophagitis
- GERD
- Helicobacter Pylori Infection
- NSAID-Induced Gastric Ulcer
- Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
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