Drug name: Nexium

Active Ingredients:

• Esomeprazole

Therapeutic effects of Nexium: Nexium falls under the Se inhibitors medicinal group. The active ingredient of Nexium esomeprasole is S-isomer of omeprazole. This ingredient can lower the secretion of hydrochloric acid through the targeted prevention of the proton pump in the parietal cells. S and R-isomers of omeprazole possess a similar pharmacodynamic activity. Esomeprazole hinders basal and stimulates the secretion of hydrochloric acid.

Indications: Nexium tablets are administered for treating:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):

• To treat erosive reflux-esophagitis
• To prevent the reoccurrence of erosive reflux-esophagitis
• To treat symptoms of Gastroesophageal reflux diseases

Ulcers of the stomach and duodenum:

• To treat ulcer of the duodenum caused by Helicobacter pylori
• To prevent the reoccurrence of peptic ulcer caused by Helicobacter pylori

Problems caused due to the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:

• To cure ulcers caused by the user of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• To prevent duodenal and stomach ulcer caused by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Condition in which there is increased production of the hormone gastrin (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)

Precautions and Restrictions:

Do not use Nexium under the following circumstances:

• If you have family history of intolerance to fructose
• If you have a condition in which the cells lining the intestine cannot take in the sugar's glucose and galactose (Glucose-galactose malabsorbtion)
• If you have a condition of the small intestine which is characterized by a failure to absorb sucrose (Sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency)
• If the user is a young infant below the age of 12
• If you are highly sensitive to the components of this medicine
• If you are pregnant
• If you are a nursing mother

Use Nexium with caution if you suffer from liver or renal failure.

Side effects of Nexium: Use of Nexium tablets may give rise to some side effects that are contrary to what is expected. It is not certain that these adverse reactions will affect every user of this drug.

• Few of the frequently occurring reactions are constipation, vomiting, urge to vomit, tympanites, diarrhea, pain in the stomach, cephalalgia, etc.
• Some of the less common reactions are swelling of the tissues (peripheral edema), elevated Liver enzyme, sensation of tingling, sleep disorder, dry mouth, lightheadedness, rashes, itching, itchy inflammation of the skin, etc
• Effects that are rare to occur are muscle pain, joint pain, loss of hair, inflammation of the liver, thrush, inflammation of the mucous lining of the mouth, hyponatremia, changes in taste perception, depression, anaphylaxis, edema, fever, allergic reactions, abnormally low amount of platelets, low white blood cell count, etc.
• Few of the very rare side effects that may occur are skin disorder due to an allergic reaction or infection (toxic epidermal necrolysis), Stevens Johnson's syndrome, exudative erythema, aggressive behavior, hallucinations, granulopenia,
• Abnormal development of large mammary glands in males resulting in breast enlargement (gynecomastia)
• Inflammation of the nephrons in the kidneys (nephritis)

The above mentioned side effects are by no means exhaustive, so for the complete list of adverse reactions and possible side effects please see the information provided by the drug manufacturer or consult a doctor or a pharmacist.

Interactions: Before taking Nexium tablets it's very important to consult a doctor and apprise him of the treatment or medication (medicine without prescription or herbal medicine) you are currently under and also get a prescription from your doctor before starting any new drug. This is to make sure that the combination of the two drugs is safe.

Nexium may react with the following medicines:

• Drugs used for treating a form of inflammatory bowel disease known as Ulcerative colitis
• Drugs used to treat anxiety (Tranquilizers)
• Iron supplements
• Medicines used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia (Cardiac glycosides)
• Medicines used to treat or prevent infection by viruses (Protease inhibitors)
• Anticoagulants
• Drugs used to treat fungal infections

Additional Information: Drugs and medical equipments should not be used without prior approval of a trained physician and don't share these drugs with anybody else. Nexium tablets are made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use them for other purposes. Keep medicinal drugs out of the reach of children.