Nexium

Nexium Information

Brand Name: Nexium

Generic Name: Esomeprazole, Generic Nexium

Nexium is used for treating gastro-oesopha-geal reflux disease (GERD). In combination with an appropriate antibacterial therapeutic regimen for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) and healing of H pylori associated duodenal ulcers and prevention of relapse of peptic ulcers in patients with H pylori associated ulcers.

Nexium Ingredients and Composition

How To Take Nexium and Nexium Dosage and Administration

Tablets should be swallowed whole with liquid and not chewed or crushed. Treatment of erosive reflux oesophagitis, 40mg once daily for four weeks. An additional four weeks treatment is recommended for patients in whom oesophagitis has not healed or those who have persistent symptoms. Long-term management of patients with healed oesophagitis to prevent relapse, 20mg daily. Symptomatic treatment of GORD, 20mg daily (in patients without oesophagitis). If symptoms have not been controlled after four weeks, the patient should be further investigated. Once symptoms have been resolved, subsequent symptom control can be achieved using "on-demand" esomeprazole 20mg daily, when needed.

Eradication of H pylori, and healing of H pylori associated duodenal ulcer and prevention of relapse of peptic ulcers in patients with H pylori associated ulcer disease, esomeprazole 20mg, amoxycillin 1g, clarithromycin 500mg, all twice daily for seven days.

For patients who have difficulty swallowing capsules, one tablespoon of applesauce can be added to an empty bowl and the Nexium Delayed-Release 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 used 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 future use.

If you suspect a Nexium Overdose

Nexium overdose symptoms were variable, but included:

confusion
drowsiness
blurred vision
tachycardia
nausea
diaphoresis
flushing
headache
dry mouth

No specific antidote for esomeprazole is known. Since esomeprazole is extensively protein bound, it is not expected to be removed by dialysis.

If you believe you have overdosed, consult your doctor immediatly.

Nexium Side Effects

Nexium Precautions and Contraindications

In the presence of any "alarm" symptom (eg, significant unintentional weight loss, recurrent vomiting, dysphagia, haematemesis or melaena) and when gastric ulcer is suspected or present, malignancy should be excluded as treatment may alleviate symptoms and delay diagnosis. Patients on long-term treatment should be regularly monitored

Clarithromycin is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to any macrolide antibiotic.

Concomitant administration of clarithromycin with pimozide is contraindicated. There have been post-marketing reports of drug interactions when clarithromycin and/or erythromycin are co-administered with pimozide resulting in cardiac arrhythmias (QT prolongation, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsade de pointes) most likely due to inhibition of hepatic metabolism of pimozide by erythromycin and clarithromycin. Fatalities have been reported.

Nexium Drug Interactions

Absorption of ketoconazole and itraconazole can decrease during treatment with esomeprazole. A dose reduction of drugs metabolised by CYP2C19, such as diazepam, citalopram, imipramine, clomipramine and phenytoin, could be needed and should be considered especially when prescribing esomeprazole for on-demand therapy. It is recommended that plasma concentrations of phenytoin are monitored when esomeprazole is introduced or withdrawn.

Esomeprazole inhibits gastric acid secretion. Therefore, esomeprazole may interfere with the absorption of drugs where gastric pH is an important determinant of bioavailability (e.g., ketoconazole, iron salts and digoxin).

With triple therapy, interactions for all components should be considered as the co-administration of esomeprazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin has resulted in increases in the plasma levels of esomeprazole and 14-hydroxyclarithromycin.

Additional Notes

Antacids may be used while taking Nexium.