Esomeprazole (Nexium)

Esomeprazole, also known by the brand name Nexium, is a prescription medication for the treatment of acid reflux. It reduces stomach acid, preventing it from travelling up the oesophagus (food pipe), which helps ease symptoms like heartburn and indigestion.

Esomeprazole is most commonly prescribed to treat moderate-to-severe cases of acid reflux or GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease).

Nexium and generic Esomeprazole are available as 40 mg gastro-resistant tablets, which can both be ordered from 121doc after a short online consultation.

Esomeprazole belongs to a class of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These medicines target proton pumps, which are responsible for the production of stomach acid.

The active ingredient, esomeprazole, reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach. This makes the stomach acid less likely to travel up the oesophagus (food pipe) and decreases the risk of uncomfortable symptoms like heartburn.

Esomeprazole has been proven highly effective in clinical trials. An 8-week study included adults suffering from persistent GORD symptoms who had not responded well to treatment with other PPIs. After 8 weeks of treatment with 40 mg of esomeprazole daily:

• Patients experienced significant improvement in the overall severity and frequency of their symptoms, including heartburn, acid regurgitation and upper abdomen pain
• The frequency of heartburn was reduced by 78%
• The frequency of acid regurgitation was reduced by 3.6 days per week

Overall, Esomeprazole was shown to provide better control of acid reflux symptoms than other PPIs and was well-tolerated by most patients.

To be prescribed Esomeprazole from 121doc, you must be over 18 years old and suffer from symptoms of acid reflux.

You should not take Esomeprazole if you are:

• allergic to esomeprazole or any other ingredient found in this medicine
• breastfeeding

You should talk to your doctor if you:

• are allergic to another proton pump inhibitor
• have ever had a skin reaction from other reflux medications
• have liver problems
• are taking any medications containing nelfinavir
• have an increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency
• are due to have an endoscopy
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

As there is a limited amount of research on the use of Esomeprazole during pregnancy, doctors generally advise against it. If necessary, a doctor may prescribe another PPI, Lansoprazole, as its use during pregnancy has been better studied.

Esomeprazole can cause some side effects, but not everyone will get them. Typically they are mild and temporary.

The most common side effects of Esomeprazole include:

• headaches
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• flatulence (wind)
• stomach pain
• nausea or vomiting
• benign growths (polyps) in the stomach

This list does not include all potential Esomeprazole side effects. You can find a full list from the patient information leaflet.

Your Esomeprazole dose will depend on your condition and the severity of your symptoms. For most conditions, including GORD, the maximum Esomeprazole dosage is 40 mg once a day. If required, this can be increased to 40 mg twice a day (a total of 80 mg per day), but you should only take this much if your doctor has instructed you to do so.

Esomeprazole begins working quickly, and you can expect your symptoms to start improving within 2 to 3 days. However, it can take up to 4 weeks to experience its full effects.

Esomeprazole is typically prescribed to treat acid reflux symptoms for 4 to 8 weeks. This usually offers enough time to bring symptoms under control, and allows the oesophagus to heal.

However, some people require longer term treatment. This depends on your condition and the severity of your symptoms. Long-term treatment with Esomeprazole comes with some risks, such as an increased risk of magnesium deficiency, and requires frequent monitoring by your doctor.

Esomeprazole is usually taken in the morning at least 30 minutes before you have your first meal. If you have been instructed to take it twice a day, you should also take one in the evening, ideally before dinner.

Esomeprazole can be taken after a meal if needed, but it is more effective when taken before eating. This is because food increases the production of stomach acid and can decrease the absorption of Esomeprazole.

Yes, it is possible that taking Esomeprazole leads to weight gain, but it is rare. This is more likely in long-term use and is believed to be connected to increased food intake as acid reflux symptoms improve, rather than a direct effect of the medication.

No. While Esomeprazole and Omeprazole are both proton pump inhibitors that work in the same way to reduce stomach acid, they are two different medicines. The difference between Omeprazole and Esomeprazole lies in their chemical structure, available dosages, manufacturers, and how quickly they work.

As Omeprazole and Esomeprazole are both PPIs, it is possible to switch from one to another. However, you should always consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication. Omeprazole and Esomeprazole doses are not equivalent and their potential interactions with other medications also differ from each other. Therefore, one of the medications may be more suitable for you than the other.

While there are no known interactions between Esomeprazole and Buscopan, you should check with your doctor whether they think it is safe for you to take both of them. As the active ingredient in Buscopan, hyoscine, slows down gut movement, it could worsen acid reflux symptoms in some people.

Yes, it is safe to take Gaviscon alongside Esomeprazole, but you need to wait at least 2 hours between taking them as Gaviscon can interfere with the absorption of Esomeprazole.

No, you cannot get prescription-strength (40 mg) Esomeprazole or Nexium without a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. However, lower-dose versions (Esomeprazole 20 mg) may be available over the counter.

Safety is our number one priority at 121doc, and our doctors will only prescribe treatment if you meet the criteria in your online consultation. A prescription from a trusted healthcare provider like 121doc ensures:

• safety during treatment
• effective results
• monitoring of side effects