Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole (brand names Nexium, Nexium Control, Emozul, Guardium Acid Reflux Control and Ventra, and (with naproxen) Vimovo) is a type of medication called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes.[1]


It is widely used to treat indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)[1]. GORD is when stomach acid reflux keeps happening. It is also used to prevent stomach ulcers.[1] Sometimes, esomeprazole is taken for a rare condition caused by a tumour in the pancreas or gut called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.[1]

Sometimes, it is mixed with naproxen, a medicine that reduces swelling (inflammation) and pain in joints and muscles. This is known by the brand name Vimovo.[1]

This medicine can cause serious allergic reactions which require emergency treatment. Make sure the signs of these reactions are known: read allergic reaction symptoms of drugs.

Esomeprazole starts to work within 2 to 3 days, but it may take up to 4 weeks for it to work fully.[1]

Side effects

Common side effects include headache, diarrhoea and stomach pain. These tend to be mild and go away after stopping taking the medicine.[1] Sometimes, esomeprazole can make people feel dizzy, sleepy, or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, cycle or use machinery or tools until feeling better if this happens.[1]

All of the possible side effects should be in the medicine packet. These are just some of the side effects that could happen. Other side effects that could occur are listed.

Common side effects

There are things that can be done to help cope with these side effects. These common side effects of esomeprazole happen in more than 1 in 100 people:[1]

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still a bother or does not go away.[1]

Serious side effects

Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people. Call a doctor or call non-emergency services if:[1]

  • skin becomes yellow (although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin), pee becomes darker and feeling more tired – these can be signs of liver problems
  • joint pain along with a red skin rash, especially on parts of the body exposed to the sun, such as on the arms, cheeks and nose – these can be signs of a rare condition called subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (see also: lupus.) This can happen even after taking esomeprazole for a long time
  • have diarrhoea that is severe or does not go away – this can be a sign of an inflamed bowel

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it is possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to esomeprazole.[1]

Long term side effects

If taking esomeprazole for more than 3 months, the levels of magnesium in the blood may fall.[1] Low magnesium can make someone feel tired, confused, dizzy and cause muscle twitches, shakiness and an irregular heartbeat. If any of these symptoms appear, tell a doctor.[1]

Taking esomeprazole for more than a year may increase the chances (risk) of certain side effects, including:[1]

If taking esomeprazole for longer than 1 year, a doctor will regularly do health checkups to see if it should keep being taken.[1]

It is not known if esomeprazole works less well the longer it is taken. If feeling like it is not working any more, talk to a doctor.[1]

Other side effects

These are not all the side effects of esomeprazole. For a full list, see the leaflet inside the medicine packet.[1]

Who can and cannot take esomeprazole

Esomeprazole can be taken by most adults. Children should only have esomeprazole if a doctor prescribes it. Also, esomeprazole is not suitable for some people. To make sure it is safe, report it to the doctor if:[1]

  • any previous or new allergic reaction to esomeprazole or any other medicine
  • there are liver problems
  • are due to have an endoscopy

If going to have an endoscopy, ask a doctor if esomeprazole should stop being taken a few weeks before the procedure. This is because esomeprazole may hide some of the problems that would usually be spotted during an endoscopy.[1]

How and when to take esomeprazole

If a patient or their child has been prescribed esomeprazole, then follow the doctor's instructions about how and when to take it.[1]

If it was bought from a pharmacy or supermarket, follow the instructions that come with the packet. If it was bought without a prescription and symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks, see a doctor before taking any more.[1]

Taking esomeprazole with other medicines and herbal supplements

Cautions with other medicines

When taken at the same time, some medicines can affect the way esomeprazole works. Esomeprazole can also affect the way other medicines work.[1] Taking them together can make someone more likely to have side effects or stop one of the medicines working as well.[1]

Tell a doctor if taking any of these medicines before starting taking esomeprazole:[1]

These are not all the medicines that may not mix well with esomeprazole. For a full list, see the leaflet inside the medicines packet.[1]

Do not take St John's wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while taking esomeprazole. It may stop esomeprazole working as well as it should.[1]

There is not enough information to say that other complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with esomeprazole. They are not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They are generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.[1]

Tell a doctor or pharmacist when taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.[1]

References
  1. "Esomeprazole: medicine to lower stomach acid". nhs.uk. 2022-01-13. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
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