Esomeprazole comes in capsule and tablet form. This Esomeprazole 20mg is a pink capsule which belongs to a group of medicines called Proton Pump Inhibitors. They work by reducing the amount of acid that your stomach produces. They are used to treat Gastro-Oesophageal reflux disease or GORD. This is where acid from the stomach escapes into the gullet causing pain, inflammation and heartburn. Esomeprazole is also available in the branded form, under the name Nexium, as well as its generic form. Both the generic and branded version are prescription only items.
Esomeprazole 20mg Gastro-Resistant 28 Capsules should be kept out of sight and reach of children. It should be stored in its original package in order to protect from moisture and should not be stored over 30 degrees Celsius.
To read a patient information leaflet click here https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/PIL.28190.latest.pdf
The manufacturer of the product supplied may vary. Please read the patient information leaflet that is provided with the product.
When using Esomeprazole 20mg Capsules, you should follow the instructions given to you by the doctor. The usual dose given for Acid Reflux treatment is to take one capsule daily. The capsule should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. It should not be chewed or crushed. It can be taken at any time of the day and can be taken with or without food.
If you take more capsules than required you should contact your doctor immediately. If you forget to take a dose, do not double up doses. Take the dose as soon as you remember and then take the next dose at the correct time. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose completely.
The active ingredient in these capsules is Esomeprazole. The other ingredients are Sugar Spheres (Sucrose and Maize Starch), Povidone K30, Sodium Laurilsulfate, Poly (Vinyl Alcohol), Titanium Dioxide (E171), Macrogol, Talc (E553B), Heavy Magnesium Carbonate, Polysorbate 80 (E433) and Methacrylic Acid. The capsule shell's ingredients are Gelatine (E441), Titanium Dioxide (E171) and Red Iron Oxide (E172).
Esomeprazole 20mg GR Capsules should not be taken if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medicine, if you are allergic to any other PPI's or if you are taking any medicines containing Nelfinavir. You should speak to your doctor before taking Esomeprazole if you have severe liver or kidney problems.
Esomeprazole has been known to hide the symptoms of other diseases. So if you have lost a lot of weight for no reason, have problems swallowing, if you get stomach pain or indigestion, begin to vomit blood or food or pass black stools before you start taking Esomeprazole, you should speak to your doctor straight away.
You should make sure to mention if you are taking other medicines before taking Esomeprazole including any medicines purchased over the counter. This is because Esomeprazole can affect the way some medicines work and vise versa. In particular you should mention if you take Atazanavir, Digoxin, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Citalopram, Imipramine, Clomipramine, Diazepam, Phenytoin, Cisapride, Rifampicin, St. John's Wort or any medicines that are used to thin your blood, such as Warfarin or Clopidogrel.
Taking PPI's for a long period of time, especially for a year or more, may slightly increase your risk of fracture in the hip, wrist or spine. If you suffer from osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids, you should tell your doctor straight away.
If you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Esomeprazole. It isn't known if Esomeprazole passes into breast milk, so you should not take Esomepazole if you are breast-feeding.
As with all medicines, Esomeprazole can cause some side effects, although not everyone will get them. You should stop taking Esomeprazole and immediately contact your doctor if you experience sudden wheezing, swelling of your lips, tongue, throat and body, rash, fainting or difficulties in swallowing, if you get yellow skin, dark urine or tiredness, or if your skin starts peeling or getting blisters or reddens. Blisters of the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals should also be reported immediately.
Other side effects, ranging from common to very rare or unknown, include headache, diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, wind, nausea, vomiting, swelling of the feet and ankles, insomnia, dizziness, pins and needles, feeling sleepy, vertigo, dry mouth, changes in liver blood tests, skin rash, hives, itchy skin, blood problems, such as a reduced number of white blood cells or platelets, low levels of sodium in the blood, feeling agitated, confused or depressed, changes in taste, eyesight problems, bronchospasm, inflammation of the inside of the mouth, thrush, liver problems, alopecia, skin rash on exposure to sunlight, joint or muscle pains, increased sweating, generally feeling unwell and lacking energy, aggression, hallucinations, severe liver problems, severe rash, blistering or peeling skin, muscle weakness, severe kidney problems or enlarged breasts in men. If you are on Esomeprazole for more than three months, it is possible that the levels of magnesium in our blood may fall. If this happens, you should speak to your doctor straight away.
If you experience any side effects that aren't listed here, or if any of these side effects become severe, please contact your doctor immediately.