Type of medicine Proton pump inhibitor
Used for Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (indigestion)
Stomach ulcers or ulcers in the intestine
As part of triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that can live in the stomach
Also called Nexium
Available as Tablets

Nexium works by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach, which helps to reduce acid indigestion and heal ulcers.

Why is this drug prescribed?

Nexium tablets and injection contain the active ingredient esomeprazole, which is a type of drug called a proton pump inhibitor. It acts in the stomach to decrease the production of stomach acid. Proton pumps are found on cells that line the stomach and are used by these cells to produce stomach acid. Esomeprazole works by inhibiting the action of the proton pumps, and this reduces the production of stomach acid. Acid is produced in the stomach as a normal part of the digestive process. However, in the condition known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux, this acid is allowed to flow back into the food pipe, where it causes pain and a burning sensation known as heartburn. The acid can also irritate and cause inflammation of the lining of the foodpipe. Esomeprazole reduces the production of stomach acid and thus reduces acid flowing back into the foodpipe. It is used to relieve the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, such as heartburn. It is also used to treat reflux oesophagitis, because stopping the acid flowing back into the foodpipe allows the lining of the foodpipe to heal. Esomeprazole is also used for the long-term management of people with healed oesophagitis, as suppressing the production of stomach acid helps prevent this condition recurring. Esomeprazole is also used to treat ulcers in the stomach or upper intestine that are associated with a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. This type of bacteria is the most common cause of peptic ulcers. The bacteria cause the stomach to produce too much acid, which irritates the lining of the stomach and upper intestine and causes ulcers. Esomeprazole is used in combination with antibiotics to eradicate Helicobacter pylori from the gut. The esomeprazole creates an environment in the gut in which the antibiotics can work effectively against the H pylori bacteria. The reduced acid in the gut allows the ulcer to heal, and both actions help prevent the ulcer from recurring. Esomeprazole can also be used to prevent and treat peptic ulcers that occur as a side effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat arthritis, for example diclofenac.

Treatments

* Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease * Treatment and prevention of peptic ulcers associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs * Eradicating Helicobacter pylori bacteria from the gut, which helps peptic ulcers to heal and prevents them from recurring.

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Headache * Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain * Excess gas in the stomach and intestines * Dry mouth * Skin reactions such as rash and itch * Inflammation of the skin * Dizziness * Pins and needles * Difficulty sleeping * Sleepiness * Swelling of the legs and ankles due to excess fluid retention * Pain in the muscles and joints * Increased sweating * Hair loss * Taste disturbance * Blurred vision * Depression * Agitation * Confusion * Liver or blood disorders