What is Nexium
Nexium (esomeprazole) is a medication that can be prescribed for the cases of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as other conditions of the kind (those caused by the excessive production of acid in the stomach). It can be also recommended for the prevention of gastric ulcer caused by taking certain drugs.
How to use Medicine
This drug is available in dosages of 20 mg and 40 mg. The delayed-release capsule must not be broken or chewed – it has been specially designed to dissolve slowly in your body. Such a pill is supposed to be swallowed whole without being crushed or chewed. Although some of your symptoms may get better before you are done with the treatment, make sure you continue taking it for the entire period of time prescribed by your health care provider. This drug is intended for short-term treatment and can be taken for up to 8 weeks only, unless your health care provider recommended otherwise. Each dose is supposed to be taken with a full glass of water to make sure the tablet is washed down your throat and does not get stuck there. Take Nexium at least one hour before having a meal. The delayed release capsule can be opened and the contents can be mixed with some applesauce or pudding.
Being allergic to mebendazole, esomeprazole or albendazole is a contraindication for taking Nexium, as the same reaction is going to happen again. Your doctor is supposed to know as much as possible about your current health condition – so discussing your personal and medical history is recommended. If you have a history of heart disease or liver disease – tell your doctor about it, as your dose may need to be adjusted before you will be able to start the treatment. This drug is FDA pregnancy category B. This category means that Nexium is not expected to be harmful for an unborn baby, but it does pass into breast milk. Although the risks are minimal if compared to other medications, you still need to give this treatment some serious consideration and discuss your decision, as well as all the risks and benefits associated with it, before you start taking Nexium.
Nexium drug interactions
Some of the drugs you are taking may affect the success of your treatment. Make sure you report any of the following drugs you are taking before asking your health care provider for a prescription: clopidogrel, blood thinners, iron, HIV or AIDS medications, ketoconazole, diazepam, and digoxin. If you are taking any other medications, whether these are prescription or over-the-counter drugs, some herbal supplements of products of the kind, it's best to report them to your health care provider before any drug interactions take place..
Is an overdose of Nexium possible?
Avoid taking too much of Nexium, as it is not likely to make your treatment more efficient. The following are the symptoms of an overdose and they need to be reported to your doctor as soon as possible: fast heartbeat, headache, drowsiness, blurred vision, nausea, dry mouth, confusion, flushing, shortness of breath, sweating, and seizure. An overdose of this drug is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms, but it can make you feel bad.
If you happened to miss a dose, it's very important that you take your dose as soon as you remember. However, there is an exception – you are not supposed to take this missed dose if it's almost time for the next one. You are never supposed to double up the dose prescribed, as this is going to cause side effects in you as a result. So, if the missed dose and the one you are supposed to take soon are too close in time, you can simply skip the dose missed and go back to the regular dosing schedule.
Side effects
It's very important that you understand the difference between mild and serious side effects. Mild side effects are not supposed to be reported to your health care provider until they become bothersome and prevent you from doing your everyday tasks. The following ones are considered to be mild: headache, diarrhea, dry mouth, constipation, gas, stomach pain, and nausea. If you get any side effects that make you feel uncomfortable, prevent you from doing the tasks you were doing regularly and easily and seem serious enough to be reported – make sure you call your doctor and discuss the options you have. Side effects can be individual for different people, so you are not supposed to get worried if you get some side effect that is not on the list. In general Nexium is well tolerated and the side effects mentioned go away once your body adjusts to the treatment prescribed.
Dosages
20, 40 mg
Quantity
30, 60, 90, 180, 270 pills
Related Categories:
Stomach
Related Medications:
Aciphex
