Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: ESOMEPRAZOLE (ES-oh-MEP-ra-zole)
Nexium 40mg is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat heartburn or irritation of the esophagus caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It may be used to prevent stomach ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It may be used with certain antibiotics to treat ulcers of the small intestines and to prevent them from coming back. It may be used to treat conditions that cause your body to make too much stomach acid (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Nexium 40mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE NEXIUM 40mg IF you are taking certain HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir, nelfinavir). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking voriconazole, anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), cilostazol, digoxin, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), clopidogrel, or iron. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, if you have liver problems; stomach or bowel cancer; allergies; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Nexium 40mg.
Follow the directions for taking Nexium 40mg provided by your doctor. AN EXTRA PATIENT LEAFLET is available with Nexium 40mg. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information. TAKE NEXIUM 40mg by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before eating. SWALLOW NEXIUM 40mg WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING THE CAPSULE, you may add 1 tablespoon of applesauce to an empty bowl. Open the capsule and empty the pellets onto the applesauce. Mix the pellets with the applesauce and swallow the mixture right away. THE APPLESAUCE USED SHOULD NOT BE HOT and should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. DO NOT CHEW OR CRUSH the pellets. DO NOT STORE THE MIXTURE for future use. You may take antacids while you are using Nexium 40mg if you are directed to do so by your doctor. IF YOU ARE ALSO TAKING AN IMIDAZOLE ANTIFUNGAL (eg, ketoconazole), take it at least 2 hours before taking Nexium 40mg. IF YOU ALSO TAKE SUCRALFATE, take Nexium 40mg at least 30 minutes before taking sucralfate. STORE NEXIUM 40mg at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. CONTINUE TO TAKE NEXIUM 40mg even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of Nexium 40mg, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE NEXIUM 40mg if you have had an allergic reaction to it, to any ingredient in this product, or to similar medicines (such as omeprazole). TELL YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS of a bleeding ulcer, such as black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or if you experience throat pain, chest pain, severe stomach pain, or trouble swallowing. NEXIUM 40mg MAY AFFECT CERTAIN LAB TEST RESULTS. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use Nexium 40mg. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. NEXIUM 40mg SHOULD BE USED WITH CAUTION IN CHILDREN; they may be more likely to experience drowsiness from Nexium 40mg. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Nexium 40mg during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF NEXIUM 40mg IS EXCRETED in breast-milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking Nexium 40mg.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Nexium 40mg include constipation; diarrhea; dry mouth; gas; headache; nausea; or stomach pain. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain; dark urine; fast heartbeat; fever or chills; persistent sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe stomach pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; or yellowing of the eyes or skin. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Nexium 40mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; or unusual hoarseness. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; confusion; fast heartbeat; flushing; increased sweating; severe headache, drowsiness, or nausea.
If you are taking Nexium 40mg for reflux disease, your symptoms should improve within 4 to 8 weeks. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, contact your doctor. DO NOT SHARE NEXIUM 40mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE NEXIUM 40mg for other health conditions. KEEP NEXIUM 40mg out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING NEXIUM 40mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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