Usage
Esomeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).If you are self-treating with this medication, over-the-counter esomeprazole products are used to treat frequent heartburn (occurring 2 or more days a week). Since it may take 1 to 4 days to have full effect, these products do not relieve heartburn right away.For over-the-counter products, carefully read the package instructions to make sure the product is right for you.
Uses
Esomeprazole is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent cough. This medication helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus. Esomeprazole magnesium, the S-isomer of omeprazole, irreversibly inhibits the gastric parietal H+/K+-ATPase enzyme involved in the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Currently, no commercial liquid or i.v. formulation of esomeprazole is available in the United States; therefore, administering enteric-coated pellets dispersed in water through a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube is a logical alternative. Esomeprazole pellets remain intact in vitro when exposed to tap water, orange juice, apple juice, and yogurt.
Indications
Esomeprazole Magnesium is a prescription and over-the-counter medicine used to treat the symptoms of heartburn, GERD with or without Erosive Esophagitis, NSAID-Induced Gastric Ulcer, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, Hepatic Impairment and Helicobacter Pylori.
Esomeprazole Magnesium may be used alone or with other medications.
Esomeprazole Magnesium belongs to a class of drugs called Proton Pump Inhibitors.
It is not known if Esomeprazole Magnesium is safe and effective in children younger than 1 month of age.
Side effects
Headache or abdominal pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Overdosage
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. Symptoms of overdose may include: confusion, extreme sweating, blurred vision, or unusually fast heartbeat.
Drug interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: cilostazol, clopidogrel, methotrexate (especially high-dose treatment), rifampin, St John's wort.
Some products need stomach acid so that the body can absorb them properly. Esomeprazole decreases stomach acid, so it may change how well these products work. Some affected products include atazanavir, erlotinib, nelfinavir, pazopanib, rilpivirine, certain azole antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole), among others.
Esomeprazole is very similar to omeprazole. Do not use any medications containing omeprazole while using esomeprazole.
