Nexium

Proton pump inhibitors are a class of medication used to inhibit the production of stomach acids in people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other disorders. Nexium, or esomeprazole, belongs to this class of drug and is prescribed for short-term use to allow the esophagus to heal when patients have damage from acid reflux. The medication decreases the amount of acid formed by the tissues of the stomach wall by blocking the action of an enzyme essential to its production.

Typical doses for adult patients with GERD are 20 or 40 milligrams of the medication once each day for one to two months. Taken an hour prior to a meal, the capsules are swallowed whole unless the there is difficulty swallowing. In this case, the medication can be mixed with soft food. Inside the Nexium capsule are tiny pellets of the medication, and these should not be crushed or chewed if mixed with food. Nexium is also approved for children as young as one year old who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Long-term use or taking higher than recommended doses has been found to increase the risk for bone fractures. Nexium is recommended as a short-term solution, allowing enough time for patients with severe heartburn to let the esophagus heal. Patients in Bradenton, Florida, and elsewhere generally tolerate this medication well with only mild side effects typically reported. Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are the most frequently experienced side effects, with headaches, rashes and dizziness also reported. Less frequent side effects include muscle pain and cramps, nervousness or anxiety, and irregularities in heartbeat. Some patients have also experienced increased water retention.

Be sure to tell your doctor what medications you are taking, as Nexium interacts with some drugs. Also let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or nursing.