Nexium decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Nexium is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or heartburn), erosive esophagitis, and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.
How to use this product
Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Nexium should be taken at least one hour before a meal.
Do not break or chew the capsules. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in the body.
It is important to take Nexium regularly to get the most benefit.
If you have difficulty swallowing the capsules, the Nexium capsule can be opened, and the pellets inside the capsule carefully emptied onto half a glass of water.
Do not stop taking Nexium even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.
Your doctor may want to schedule tests or appointments to monitor your treatment with Nexium.
Store Nexium at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Side effects
If you experience an allergic reaction, stop taking Nexium and seek emergency medical attention.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Nexium and talk to your doctor if you experience headache, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain, constipation, dry mouth.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Precautions
Before taking Nexium, tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of liver disease. You may not be able to take Nexium, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring.
Nexium is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take Nexium without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether Nexium passes into breast milk. Do not take Nexium without first talking to your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.
Drug Interactions
Before taking Nexium, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral), or iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others).
You may not be able to take Nexium, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Nexium. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
