Esomeprazole: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug esomeprazole?

What is Esomeprazole used for?

Esomeprazole is a drinking drug that belongs to the groupproton pump inhibitors(PPI), which is a class of drugs that work by reducing stomach acid levels in the stomach. This drug is included in the group of prescription drugs and can only be obtained by prescription from a doctor.

Esomeprazole is mainly used to treat several conditions such as the following.

• gastric ulcers
• acid reflux disease
• prevent gastrointestinal bleeding caused by NSAID drugs
• eradication of helicobacter pylori
• heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and chronic cough
• overcome the damage to the stomach and esophagus due to stomach acid
• may be used to help prevent esophageal cancer

How should you take Esomeprazole?

When using esomeprazole, there are several things you should pay attention to, including the following.

• This medicine is taken according to the directions from the doctor. Usually, it is used once a day, one hour before meals.
• The dosage and length of treatment are determined by the doctor based on the medical condition and response to treatment.
• Swallow this drug right away. Don't crush or chew it first.
• Drink 250 milliliters of water after taking this medicine.
• If you have trouble swallowing this medication, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents into a tablespoon. However, this should only be done for the dose that you are going to take at that time.
• Take this drug at the same time every day to get the maximum benefits.
• Continue to use the drug according to the time set by the doctor, even if you feel your condition has improved. Tell your doctor if your condition doesn't get better or if it gets worse.
• Esomeprazole should only be used for 4-8 weeks.
• This drug can also be given through a nasogatric tube. However, make sure you know the correct way to do it.
• Since this drug can affect the results of other medical tests that you are undergoing, first tell your doctor that you are under the influence of this drug.

How is Esomeprazole stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't store it in the bathroom and don't freeze it either. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist about how to safely dispose of your product.

Esomeprazole dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Esomeprazole for adults?

Adult dosage for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• Magnesium esomeprazole: 20 mg orally once a day for 4 weeks

Adult dosage for erosive esophagitis

• Healing dose: Magnesium esomeprazole: 20-40 mg orally once a day for 4-8 weeks
• Maintenance dose: Magnesium esomeprazole: 20 mg orally once a day

Adult dosage for Helicobacter pylori infection

• Esomeprazole magnesium: Triple therapy: 40 mg, taken once daily for 10 days along with amoxicillin and clarithromycin

Adult dosage for stomach ulcers due to NSAID drugs

• Magnesium esomeprazole: 20-40 mg orally once daily. This drug is used for 6 months.

Adult dosage for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

• Esomeprazole magnesium: 40 mg orally twice daily.

What is the dosage of Esomeprazole for children?

Children's dosage for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Magnesium esomeprazole:

For children 1-11 years of age: 10 mg once daily, used for 8 weeks

For children 12-17 years of age: 20 mg once daily, used for 4 weeks

Children's dosage for erosive esophagitis

Magnesium esomeprazole:

For children aged 1-11 months:

• Children weighing 3-5 kilograms (kg): 2.5 mg orally once a day
• Weights over 5-7.5 kg: 5 mg orally once a day
• Weights over 7.5-12 kg: 10 mg orally once a day

This drug is consumed for approximately 6 weeks.

For children aged 1-11 years:

• Weights less than 20 kg: 10 mg once daily for 8 weeks
• Weight 20 kg or more: 10 or 20 mg once daily for 8 weeks

For children 12-17 years: 20 or 40 mg once daily for 4-8 weeks

In what dosage is Esomeprazole available?

Esomeprazole is available in: capsule, delayed release: 20 mg, 40 mg

Esomeprazole side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Esomeprazole?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: itching; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using esomeprazole and call your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency such as:

• diarrhea that is severe to watery
• stomach ache
• fever that doesn't go away
• fracture in the hip, wrist or spine
• severe nausea to vomiting
• lose weight
• seizures
• dizzy
• erratic heart rhythm
• tremor
• muscles feel weak
• restless feeling
• coughing or feeling suffocated

Milder side effects may include:

• headache
• sleepy
• mild diarrhea
• nausea
• stomach ache
• constipation
• dry mouth
• belching, usually occurs in infants
• exhale getting louder, usually occurs in babies

These symptoms are mild symptoms that may disappear over time. However, if after a while these symptoms do not go away immediately, contact your doctor.

It should be noted that when the doctor prescribes this medicine, the doctor has examined your condition and decided that this drug is the best treatment that you can use to treat your condition. Doctors certainly have considered the benefits and risks that will occur when you use this drug.

Not everyone experiences the side effects mentioned above. There may be some side effects that are not listed, but that you feel. If you experience other side effects not listed above after using esomeprazole, contact your doctor immediately for more information.

Esomeprazole Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Esomeprazole?

Before using esomeprazole, there are several warnings that you should pay attention to, including the following.

• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to esomeprazole, dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (AcipHex), other drugs, or any ingredient in esomeprazole capsules or powders. Ask the pharmacist for a list of ingredients.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are or plan to take. Be sure to mention: certain antibiotics, anticoagulants (blood thinners); certain antifungal agents; cilostazol (Pletal); clopidogrel (Plavix); diazepam (Valium); digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); diuretics ("water pills"); iron supplements; certain HIV drugs and methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall). Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you closely for possible side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are or have had a lack of magnesium in your blood, have low levels of B12, have osteoporosis, or have liver disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you are 50 years of age or older. Ask your doctor if esomeprazole is safe for you. The risk is severe diarrhea due to bacteria, cracks in the wrists, hips or spine especially if you are an older adult.
• The use of this drug can worsen the symptoms of lupus. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of lupus, such as a skin rash on the cheek or arm area that gets worse with sun exposure.
• If you experience diarrhea that is leaking water or blood, contact your doctor immediately as this could be a sign of another infection in your body.

Is Esomeprazole safe for pregnant and lactating women?

It is not yet known whether this drug can affect the condition of pregnant women and the fetus if consumed by a pregnant woman. However, if you must use this drug, make sure you have consulted your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this drug.

Meanwhile, there is no evidence that this drug can be released through breast milk (ASI) or not. Therefore, you must determine in advance whether the benefits of using this drug outweigh the risks if you really want to use esomeprazole to treat your health condition.

Esomeprazole Drug Interactions

What other medicines may interact with Esomeprazole?

Although certain drugs should not be used simultaneously, in other cases two different types of drugs may be used simultaneously although interactions may occur. In this case, the doctor may want to change the dose, or take various other precautions.

If you are taking esomeprazole, it is important to tell your healthcare professional that you are using any of the other medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected based on their potential benefits.

High risk drug interactions

Using esomeprazole with the drugs below is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to give this drug or change some of the other drugs you use.

• Acalabrutinib
• Atazanavir
• Citalopram
• Clopidogrel
• Dacomitinib
• Dasatinib
• Erlotinib
• Methotrexate
• Nelfinavir
• Neratinib
• Pazopanib
• Rilpivirine
• Tacrolimus

Moderate risk drug interactions

Using this medication with any of the following drugs is usually not recommended but may be necessary in some cases. If both drugs are prescribed simultaneously, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Amikacin
• Amphetamine
• Anisindione
• Apalutamide
• Armodafinil
• Atorvastatin
• Bacampicillin
• Bendamustine
• Cyclopenthiazide
• Bosutinib
• Bumetanide
• Cannabidiol
• Capreomycin
• Carboplatin
• Citalopram
• Clopidogrel
• Dabrafenib
• Dasatinib
• Erlotinib
• Eslicarbazepine Acetate
• Ketoconazole
• Ledipasvir
• Methotrexate
• Mycophenolate Mofetil
• Nelfinavir
• Nilotinib
• Pazopanib
• Posaconazole
• Saquinavir
• Tacrolimus
• Thiopental
• Vismodegib

Drug interactions with low risk

Using this medicine with any of the drugs below might cause an increased risk of certain side effects but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both drugs are prescribed simultaneously, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Acetohexamide
• Aspirin
• Axitinib
• Brivaracetam
• Chlorpropamide
• Clarithromycin
• Duloxetine
• Glimepiride
• Glipizide
• Linaclotide
• Mephenytoin
• Phenobarbital
• Raltegravir
• Salsalate
• Tolazamide
• Valproic Acid
• Vandetanib
• Vismodegib

Can food or alcohol interact with Esomeprazole?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medication with food, alcohol, or cigarettes.

What health conditions may interact with Esomeprazole?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially the six types of health conditions listed below:

• Diarrhea
• Hypomagnesemia, which is a condition in which the body lacks magnesium in the blood
• Osteoporosis, which is thinning of the bones
• Seizures and a history of seizures. Use with care. It might worsen your condition
• Chronic liver disease. Use with care. The effect may increase because the process of getting rid of the drug in the body is slower.
• Clostridium difficile infection, which is an infection caused by the bacteria clostridium difficile

Esomeprazole overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Symptoms of an overdose from the use of the drug esomeprazole may include:

• confusion
• sleepy
• blurry vision
• fast heart rate
• nausea
• sweating
• flushed skin
• headache
• dry mouth

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it turns out that when you are about to take the missed dose, it is time to tell you to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule.

Do not double your dose as a double dose will not guarantee that you will experience the benefits of donepezil any sooner than not doubling it. Also, you do not know whether doubling the dose will not increase the risk of side effects from taking the drug or not.

Always consult your doctor about the dosage of drug use, because the doctor who checks your condition will know more about using the dose that is more appropriate and in accordance with your health condition.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.