by Kate Johns

Created on: February 06, 2009

Nexium also called esomeprazole is a drug used in the treatment of acid reflux disease, in the treatment of ulcers, and in the treatment of Barrett's Esophagus. Nexium is also used to treat duodenal ulcers, and ulcers that require antibiotic treatment. A widely used drug, Nexium is used to treat acid production that damages the stomach and the throat of millions of people throughout the world.

Nexium does what several other drugs like it do in performing the task of decreasing the acid production in your stomach. Nexium is also known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Prilosec also called omeprazole is very much like Nexium in that it also is a proton pump inhibitor drug. Esomeprazole or Nexium and Prilosec work in shutting down the acid in your stomach by blocking an enzyme in your stomach wall that produces acid. By blocking this enzyme production of the acid is decreased and this allows the stomach or the esophagus to heal.

By reducing the stomach acid this also reduces the pain and indigestion from heartburn, which allows a person to eat foods that cause indigestion and more acid production such as orange juice, tomato juice and foods that contain garlic and other hotter spices in them.

However, lack of stomach acid is also called hypochlorhydria which is the lack of enough hydrochloric acid, or HCl. Hydrochloric acid is required for the digestion of proteins and for the absorption of nutrients, particularly for vitamin B12 and of calcium. It's best not to take this drug for a long time or to not take it every day.

Nexium is best taken about one hour before a meal or as directed by a doctor, to gain the maximum benefits from this acid reducing medication. A Nexium pill can be opened up and sprinkled onto various foods to get the maximum effect without swallowing for people who have problems swallowing tablets and pills.This drug can also be mixed into orange juice or apple juice for people and children who have difficulty swallowing pills and tablets.

Nexium does have side effects that are usually well tolerated by people taking this drug. The side effects of Nexium are as follows: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, rash, dizziness, cramps, water retention, muscle pain and leg pain. Nexium can increase the concentration in the blood of Valium by decreasing the elimination of Valium. Nexium also can cause an unpleasant interaction with certain drugs such as warafin and atazanavir.Nexium is also used to treat ulcers that are caused by a bacterial infection with the aid of an antibiotic.

Nexium is a proton pump inhibitor drug that works to keep your stomach acid from becoming an overactive contributor to GERD, duodenal ulcers, Zollinger- Ellison Syndrome and many other medical related illnesses. Nexium works to cut back on stomach acid allowing millions of people to lead normal lives and enabling them to eat more spicy foods and many foods they could not eat before esomeprazole came onto the market.

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