by Barbara Kasey Smith

Created on: December 31, 2009

How does the drug Nexium work?

*Nexium (esomeprazole):

Nexium (esomeprazole) is a drug that will decrease the amount of acid in a person suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, H. pylori infections, and erosive esophagitis. It is also used in preventing stomach ulcers in people who must take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatorry drugs (NSAIDs). It is also used in the treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions where stomach acids are greatly overproducing, i.e., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is also used to treat problems of the intestines. It acts as a proton pump inhibitor that can block the acid in production sites by decreasing the amount of acids in a person's stomach. It reduces acid production in the stomach by turning off some of the pumps which are in the acid producing cells in the stomach.

*Color and strength of tablet:

The color of the Nexium tablet is a purple tablet with two or three gold rings, the number of rings depends on the strength of the tablet. It is manufactured by AstraZeneca. Esomeprazole (Nexium) is a member of medications which are known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The dosage is available and delivered into the system in a form of delayed-release capsules or it can be in a powder form that you mix with a drink. It can have an interaction with other medications and it's important to tell your physician exactly what other medications you're taking.

*Nexium can be prescribed for other uses:

A person who is prescribed Nexium could be for some other reason than what is stated in the above because it is used for other illnesses. This medicine should not be given to anyone else because it can be harmful to them. Never give another person a medicine that has been prescribed for you.

The dosage of any prescription depends on a person's weight and possibly other medical conditions and medicines prescribed to them. You must follow your physican's direction on how and when to take the medication, and if you've missed a dose, take it as soon as you can to get back on a regular schedule for taking it.

*Nexium warnings:

Some Nexium users may complain of headaches, dry mouth, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea and they may suffer from constipation and some people may have an allergic reaction, i.e., hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling. If any of the allergic reactions should appear, you should get medical assistance immediately.  

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