Get Informed: Nexium
Active Ingredient(s)
Esomeprazole
What does it do?
This product is commonly used in the treatment of gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). It works by reducing production of acid in the stomach.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-21 8:16 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 9:02 PM
Other Names
- Nexium
- Esomeprazole
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 20 Feb 2001
- Est US Patients*
- 6,960,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Nexium or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Nexium
There have been no iGuard.org alerts regarding Nexium during the past year.
Nexium Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Nexium interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Nexium used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 46,300 patients that use Nexium (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Heartburn/GERD | 93% | 
|
| Stomach Ulcers | 15% |
|
| Irritable Bowel | 5% | 
|
| Other | 2% | 
|
How well does Nexium work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 46,300 users taking Nexium (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 86%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Nexium outweigh the bad things.
- 13%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Nexium.
Common Side Effects of Nexium
iGuard regularly polls our more than 46,300 users taking Nexium (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
15% of patients experience side-effects on Nexium
< 1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Nexium
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Diarrhea
-
Headache
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdo Pain/Cramps, Bloating/Gas, Bone/Joint Pain, Constipation, Dryness, Heartburn/Reflux, Increased Infections, Muscle Pain/Cramps, Swelling/Edema, Urinary Frequency
Global Patient Feedback for Nexium (Esomeprazole) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I was prescribed Nexium 2 years ago for increasingly severe reflux. Quickly started to feel "dull" mentally and started sliding into depression. Consulted a GP/naturopath who suggested a zinc supplement for a while instead of Nexium. 12 months now on zinc, all symptoms disappeared almost overnight and never felt better. Obviously not the right treatment for everyone but I was surprised not to see much mention of mental dullness and depression as a major side effect risk
54 year old male
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-04 05:34:12
Question/Comment:
I have Barrett's Esophagus as a result of many years of GERD, which was finally cured by a repair of paraesophageal hernia & Nissen fundoplication. My doctor has prescribed 40mg Nexium twice a day to control the Barrett's
I no longer have any heartburn or reflux. Is it necessary for me to be on such a large dose of Nexium?
87 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-22 15:29:58
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Your physician knows your medical record and history best and is the best person to answer your question. If you are not sure that you are being treated correctly, you can seek a second opinion. The dose of Nexium often depends on the severity and the degree of erosion. The usual dose of Nexium is 20 or 40 mg once daily. Again, the severity of the disease may influence your doctor's decision to prescribe a higher dose. If you are concerned about your dose, please talk to your doctor about your concerns.
Posted: 2009-12-26 00:22:39
Question/Comment:
I got a warning that Nexium increases Lipitor levels in the body. If I switch to Protonix (which I was originally on) will it interact as well? Medco health (my pecription drug provider) changed my presription with out my permission(from protonix to nexium).
43 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-11-18 19:49:51
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Protonix may also interact with Lipitor. Both Nexium and Protonix may increase the amount of Lipitor in your bloodstream and which may increase your chance for side effects from Lipitor. However, this drug combination is often prescribed because for many patients the benefits of the each drug outweigh the low risk of possible problems from the interaction. If you are taking Lipitor and either Protonix or Nexium, you can monitor for serious side effects of Lipitor and follow up with your doctor if they occur - signs of serious problems from Lipitor include any muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; shortness of breath; extreme tiredness or lack of energy; chest pain; unusual bleeding or bruising; pain in the upper right part of the stomach; flu-like symptoms; or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Posted: 2009-11-19 22:14:10
Question/Comment:
I have had GERD for years as a result of taking anti-inflammatory drugs for years.
I used to take Prilosec (back before it was available OTC) and went off of it during a pregnancy. Then I was breastfeeding so they preferred me to use Zantac. It never worked as well. I got to the point where, in the midst of a meal, food would get lodged in my esophagus (especially meat, rice, and pasta) and come back up. Then I could finish the meal with no problem.
Anyway, after years of that (during which I breastfed several years, had a second child, and breastfed a few more years) I finally reached a point last year where I was breastfeeding only a small amount and the doctor allowed me to go on Nexium. It totally took care of my symptoms. I have been on it for probably close to a year now and I am so happy.
48 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-24 16:18:10
Question/Comment:
I would be interested in knowing if Nexium reduces the effectiveness of my other meds if taken at the same time. I was told by a friend to take Nexium only in the evening,is thie true. I take the below listed meds
ALTACE 2.5MG,VYTORIN,TOPOROL,HYZAAR,LYRICA,ASPRIN(BABY),SYNTHROID1.75
Thank you Robert F.
68 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-06-20 13:48:28
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Nexium should be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before a meal. It is best to take it at the same time each day, but what time of day is not as important as taking it at the same time each day. There are no documented interactions between Nexium and your other medications. It is best to take Synthroid in the morning on an empty stomach and Vytorin in the evening.
Posted: 2009-06-26 22:51:49
Answer/Reply:
I was told by my docotor to take it at least 1/2 hr before your first meal of the day
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-12 23:47:58
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
106
Patient Comments about
Nexium