Nexium 20mg

Nexium contains the active ingredient esomeprazole. This belongs to a group of medicines called ‘proton pump inhibitors’ (PPIs). They work by reducing the amount of acid that your stomach produces and thus protecting the oesophagus from exposure to excess acid.

Nexium is the original branded version of esomeprazole which is now available as a generic. It is effective in treating GERD symptoms including heartburn and indigestion. It is also used in patients who have stomach ulcers caused by NSAID uses and Helicobacter Pylori infection.

Adults aged 18 and above

Take one tablet ONCE Daily 1 hour before food.

Taking this medicine

You can take your tablets at any time of the day  with food or on an empty stomach. Swallow your tablets whole with a drink of water.

Do not chew or crush the tablets 

This is because the tablets contain coated pellets which stop the medicine from being broken down by the acid in your stomach. It is important not to damage the pellets.

What to do if you have trouble swallowing the tablets

Put them into a glass of still (non-fizzy) water. Do not use any other liquids. Stir until the tablets break up (the mixture will not be clear). Then drink the mixture straight away or within 30 minutes. Always stir the mixture just before drinking it. To make sure that you have drunk all of the medicine, rinse the glass very well with half a glass of water and drink it. The solid pieces contain the medicine - do not chew or crush them.

If you take more Nexium than prescribed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist straight away.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Headache.
• Effects on your stomach or gut: diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, wind (flatulence).
• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting).

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Swelling of the feet and ankles.
• Disturbed sleep (insomnia).
• Dizziness, tingling feelings such as “pins and needles”, feeling sleepy. Spinning feeling (vertigo).
• Dry mouth.
• Changes in blood tests that check how the liver is working.
• Skin rash, lumpy rash (hives) and itchy skin.
• Fracture of the hip, wrist or spine (if Nexium is used in high doses and over long duration).

If you notice any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Nexium and contact a doctor immediately:

• Sudden wheezing, swelling of your lips, tongue and throat or body, rash, fainting or difficulties in swallowing (severe allergic reaction).
• Reddening of the skin with blisters or peeling.
• There may also be severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. This could be ‘Stevens-Johnson syndrome’ or ‘toxic epidermal necrolysis’.
• Yellow skin, dark urine and tiredness which can be symptoms of liver problems.

These effects are rare, and may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people.

 Nexium may in very rare cases affect the white blood cells leading to immune deficiency. If you have an infection with symptoms such as fever with a severely reduced general condition or fever with symptoms of a local infection such as pain in the neck, throat or mouth or difficulties in urinating, you must consult your doctor as soon as possible so that a lack of white blood cells (agranulocytosis) can be ruled out by a blood test. It is important for you to give information about your medication at this time.

Find out more on the patient information leaflet

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.