Customers come to the doctors every day with complaints about pain in the upper abdomen, bouts of sour belching, heartburn, gas, and constipation. These symptoms are characteristic of a disease of the stomach with high acidity.
Improper diet, stress, medication, infection, alcohol abuse, and smoking are causes that increase the release of acid in the stomach. Excess stomach acid leads to gastric mucosa inflammation, its damage, and the formation of ulcers.
Nexium Generic, scientifically known as Esomeprazole, is a widely prescribed medication primarily used for combating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – a condition that happens when stomach acid frequently flows backward into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus), leading to heartburn and possible damage to the esophagus.
Tablet appearance
Nexium is sold as film-coated tablets. Basic physical and chemical properties:
- 20 mg – light pink, oval, biconvex, film-coated tablet imprinted 20 mg on both sides;
- 40 mg – pink, oval, biconvex, film-coated tablet with imprint 40 mg on both sides.
Acid enters the esophagus and small intestines, which are not adapted to the effects of such an aggressive environment. To prevent the development of diseases such as gastric and small intestines ulcers, and reflux disease, a combined approach is needed. It includes lifestyle changes, diet, and medication.
Active ingredient
Esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate is a substance that carries a key role in treatment with Nexium. This component is assigned to a group of proton pump inhibitors. It is an enzyme that releases hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Esomeprazole blocks it, reduces acid secretion, and reduces its irritating effect on the walls of organs. In addition to this property, this substance inhibits the vital activity of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which provokes the occurrence of stomach ulcers.
Indications of Nexium Generic
Physicians typically prescribe this medication for:
- treatment and prevention of erosive reflux esophagitis;
- treatment of symptoms of reflux disease;
- treatment of duodenal ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori;
- prevention of recurrence of stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori;
- prevention and healing of gastric ulcers with long-term use of NSAIDs;
- hypersecretion of gastric glands;
Clinical effectiveness
In two studies comparing the effectiveness of two similar medications, Nexium showed better efficacy in the treatment of gastric ulcers in patients using anti-inflammatory drugs.
Two studies that compared results from individuals taking Nexium and a placebo demonstrated better effectiveness of the first when it comes to ulcer preventive therapy in patients aged over 60 years with or without an existing ulcer who use NSAIDs.
Dosage of Generic Nexium
The dosage and treatment plan depend on the nature and severity of the disease. Dosage adjustment is necessary if there is the presence of severe liver and kidney disease with prolonged usage.
- The dosage depends on the weight of the child and is equal to 10-20 mg daily for two months. For adults and children over 12 years old, the dosage would be 40 mg on a daily basis for one month. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe to repeat the course. Prevention of recurrence and elimination of symptoms would require the use of 20 mg once a day.
- Peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach. Nexim 20mg is used as part of a complex treatment plan.
- Prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers. Individuals who take anti-inflammatory drugs for a prolonged time are typically prescribed 20-40 mg tablets once a day for up to two months.
- Hypersecretion of the gastric glands. The initial dose is 40 mg 2 times a day, then the dose and duration are selected by the doctor individually.
Usage instructions
Eating slows down the absorption of the active substance, but this does not affect its effectiveness. Your physician will likely recommend taking it in the morning 30 minutes before meals. This way, the drug will begin to work at the moment when food stimulates the secretion of gastric juice (stomach acid).
Nexium tablets are taken orally without chewing and washed down with water. If it is hard for an individual to swallow a tablet, it is allowed to dissolve the tablet in half a glass of water and drink it as a suspension. After being ingested, the onset of its action is observed for one hour.
Side effects
The most common side effects when using this medicine include:
- Headache or simply dizziness;
- abdominal pain that can be accompanied by diarrhea, constipation, and/or bloating
- nausea that might result in vomiting
- dermatitis, itching, rash, urticaria
- sleep disorders
- sensations of “goosebumps”
- dry mouth
- blurred vision
- swelling
- increased activity of liver enzymes.
As said, these are not the only symptoms to be aware of. Obviously, if you notice that you have any health issues that you did not have earlier, you should let your physician know immediately.
Compatibility with alcohol
There is no information about the compatibility of Nexium with alcohol in the instructions for the drug. Alcohol and its breakdown products intensify the symptoms of gastritis and ulcers, increase the risk of bleeding, and are toxic to the kidneys and liver. If you drink alcohol during treatment with this drug, then the treatment will not be as successful and the side effects worsen.
Important considerations of Nexium Generic
An inflammation or ulcer that resulted from excessive stomach acid can only be properly treated if you follow the instructions given by your doctor.
If you are experiencing significant spontaneous weight reduction, frequent vomiting, swallowing difficulties, bloody vomiting, melena (black or tarry stools with a foul smell), as well as have or suspect a stomach ulcer, make sure your physician is aware of it. The possibility of the presence of a malignant tumor (cancer) need to be excluded because treatment with this medication may lead to the appearance of milder symptoms and, therefore, delay correct diagnosis.
During treatment with PPIs, plasma gastrin levels rise as a result of reduced intragastric secretion of stomach acid. With prolonged use, the formation of glandular cysts in the stomach is more common. This is due to physiological changes as a result of the inhibition of acid secretion.
Other medicines may affect the treatment results. These include, for example, certain medicines for HIV infection, tuberculosis, epilepsy, depression, fungal ailments, gastrointestinal disorders, heart problems, sedatives and/or sleep aids, blood thinners, certain drugs for organ transplant rejection, and some cancer medicines.
If it has been more than 3 months since you started taking the medicine, your blood magnesium levels may drop. Low magnesium levels are accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, involuntary muscle tension, confusion, seizures, dizziness, and heart palpitations. If you experience any of these side effects, tell your doctor right away. Low magnesium levels can also lead to low levels of potassium and calcium in the blood. Your doctor may do regular blood tests to check your magnesium levels.
Taking a PPI such as Nexium can easily increase your risk of fractures, especially if the period is longer than one year. You should tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis or are taking corticosteroids, which may increase your risk of osteoporosis.
If you experience a rash, especially on exposed skin where you have sun exposure, and you also develop joint pain, tell your doctor immediately as you may need to stop taking this drug.
You must tell the doctor or pharmacist if you suffer from other diseases, allergies, or other medications (including non-prescription ones). Patients taking Nexium as needed to treat recurring symptoms such as acid reflux or heartburn should see a doctor if symptoms change.
Contraindications
Nexium is obviously not the best choice for people with known hypersensitivity to any of the substances in the tablet and hypersensitivity to other so-called proton pump inhibitors.
Since there is no experience in treating children younger than 1 year of age or weighing less than 22 pounds (10 kg), it is not recommended to use it for babies that fall under this category.
Nexium is not an appropriate choice for an individual who has rare hereditary disorders such as fructose intolerance, impaired glucose and galactose breakdown, or intolerance to sucrose and isomaltose.
If you are or want to become pregnant and breastfeed, Nexium should only be taken after consulting your doctor.
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