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What Is It
Nexium relieves heartburn and other symptoms caused by the backflow of stomach acid into the canal to the stomach (the esophagus)+m-a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is also pre
scribed to heal the damage (erosive esophagitis) that reflux disease can cause.
Prescribed in combination with the antibiotics Biaxin and Amoxil, Nexium is also used to treat the infection t
hat causes most duodenal ulcers (ulcers occurring just beyond the exit from the stomach).
Like its sister drug Prilosec, Nexium works by reducing the production of stomach acid.
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Other medical problems
Before using Nexium,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Nexium, omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacis
t what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially iron supplements or vitamins that contain iron, ketoconazole (Nizoral), digoxin (Lanoxin), and herbal products.
- te
ll your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using Nexium, call
your doctor immediately.
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How to Use
If you cannot swallow the capsule, add one tablespoon of cool, soft applesauce to an empty bowl, open one Nexium capsule, and carefully sprinkle the pellets onto the applesauce. Mix the pellets with t
he applesauce and swallow the entire tablespoonful of applesauce and Nexium pellets immediately. Do not chew the pellets in the applesauce and do not save the pellets and applesauce for another dose
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use Nexium exactly as directed. Do not use more or less
of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
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Side Effects of This Medicine
Rare side effects may include:
- Abnormal sense of smell, acne, allergic reaction, anemia, apathy, back pain, black stools, blood disorders, blood in urine, burping, change in bowel habits, chest
pain, chills, confusion, constipation, coughing, cramps, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, dry mouth, ear infection, earache, enlarged abdomen, enlarged thyroid gland, eye infec
tion, facial swelling, fast or irregular heartbeat, fatigue, fever, flu-like symptoms, flushing, frequent or increased urination, fungal infections, general feeling of illness, hernia, hiccups, high b
lood pressure, hives, hot flushes, impotence, inability to sleep, increased appetite, indigestion,
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Drug Interactions
If Nexium is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Nexium with the foll
owing:
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Digoxin (Lanoxin)
- Iron salts (Ferro-Sequels)
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- Warfarin (Coumadin)
There's no problem, however, with com
bining antacids and Nexium; no unwanted interaction will result.
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Overdosage
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. There have been some reports of Nexium overdoses. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of Ne
xium overdose may include:
- Blurred vision, confusion, drowsiness, dry mouth, flushing, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat, sweating
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