This article describes Nexium’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it or how it’s given. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Nexium. If you want to know more about Nexium, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Nexium is a brand-name medication that comes as a delayed-release* oral capsule, delayed-release* liquid suspension, and injection. It’s available in a generic version called esomeprazole. This article describes dosages of Nexium.
* “Delayed release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over time.
Forms and strengths of Nexium
Nexium comes in these forms and strengths:
| Form | How to take or receive | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| delayed-release oral capsule | take by swallowing | • 20 milligrams (mg) • 40 mg |
| delayed-release oral suspension | take by swallowing | • 2.5 mg per packet • 5 mg per packet • 10 mg per packet • 20 mg per packet • 40 mg per packet |
| injection | injected into a vein | • 40 mg per vial |
Dosage of Nexium
This article describes the recommended dosages for Nexium. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Nexium without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Nexium in adults
The dosage will depend on the form of Nexium you’re prescribed and the condition being treated.
Dosage of Nexium delayed-release oral capsule and delayed-release oral suspension
The following table outlines the recommended dosages of Nexium delayed-release oral capsule and oral suspension for adults.
| Purpose | Recommended dosage | Treatment length |
|---|---|---|
| treat erosive esophagitis | 20–40 mg once per day | 4–8 weeks |
| maintain healing of erosive esophagitis | 20 mg once per day | up to 6 months |
| treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | 20 mg once per day | 4–8 weeks |
| reduce the risk of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-related stomach ulcers | 20–40 mg once per day | up to 6 months |
| treat H. pylori infection* | 40 mg once per day | 10 days |
| treat hypersecretory conditions†, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome | • starting dosage: 40 mg twice per day • maintenance dosage: up to 240 mg per day | determined by your doctor |
* Doctors will typically prescribe Nexium with amoxicillin and clarithromycin for this condition.
† These are conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much acid.
Dosage of Nexium injection
The following table outlines the recommended dosages of Nexium injection for adults.
| Purpose | Recommended dosage | Treatment length |
| treat GERD with erosive esophagitis | 20–40 mg once per day* | up to 10 days |
| reduce the risk of bleeding in adults with gastric or duodenal ulcer ulcers after endoscopy | 80 mg administered as an injection given by IV infusion followed by a continuous infusion of 8 mg per hour | 72 hours |
* Nexium IV may be given by intravenous (IV) injection or IV infusion, which is an injection into your vein given over time.
Dosages of Nexium in children
Your child’s doctor will prescribe a dosage of Nexium based on the form prescribed and the condition being treated.
Dosage of Nexium delayed-release oral capsule and delayed-release oral suspension
The following table shows recommended dosages of Nexium delayed-release oral capsule and delayed-release oral suspension for certain conditions in children.
| Purpose | Age | Recommended dosage | Treatment length |
| treat erosive esophagitis | 12–17 years | 20–40 mg once per day | 4–8 weeks |
| treat erosive esophagitis | 1–11 years* | • under 20 kilograms (kg)†: 10 mg once per day • 20 kg and greater: 10–20 mg once per day | 8 weeks |
| treat erosive esophagitis due to acid-mediated GERD (commonly known as acid reflux) | 1–11 months* | • 3 kg to 5 kg: 2.5 mg once per day • greater than 5 kg to 7.5 kg†: 5 mg once per day • greater than 7.5 kg to 12 kg: 10 mg once per day | up to 6 weeks |
| treat symptoms of GERD | 12–17 years | 20 mg once per day | 4 weeks |
| treat symptoms of GERD | 1–11 years* | 10 mg once per day | up to 8 weeks |
* Doctors will typically prescribe Nexium delayed-release oral suspension for these age groups.
† For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
Dosage of Nexium injection
The following table shows the recommended dosage of Nexium injection for the treatment of GERD with erosive esophagitis in children.
| Age | Recommended dosage |
| 1–11 months | 0.5 mg per kg of body weight once per day |
| 1–17 years | • less than 55 kg: 10 mg once per day • 55 kg or greater: 20 mg once per day |
Dosage adjustments for Nexium
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Nexium based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of Nexium
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Nexium. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Nexium and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Nexium and its dosage.
Can I take Nexium 20 mg twice daily?
Typically, no. Doctors usually prescribe Nexium once per day for most conditions. One exception is for hypersecretory conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. With Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, the recommended starting dosage of Nexium is 40 mg twice per day.
The following table shows the recommended dosages of Nexium delayed-release oral capsule for certain conditions.
| Purpose | Recommended dosage |
| treat erosive esophagitis | 20–40 mg once per day |
| maintain healing of erosive esophagitis | 20 mg once per day |
| treat symptoms of GERD | 20 mg once per day |
| treat H. pylori infection* | 40 mg once per day |
| treat hypersecretory conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome | • starting dosage: 40 mg twice per day • maintenance dosage: up to 240 mg per day |
* Doctors will typically prescribe Nexium with amoxicillin and clarithromycin for this condition.
When is the best time of day to take Nexium?
The drugmaker hasn’t specified a certain time of day to take Nexium. It’s best to take Nexium at the time of day recommended by your doctor. It’s recommended that you take the drug at least 1 hour before food or meals.
If you have questions about the best time of day to take Nexium, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is Nexium taken long term?
Possibly. Doctors may prescribe Nexium as a short-term or long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take Nexium, talk with your doctor.
How Nexium is taken
You’ll swallow Nexium one to two times per day. Take it at least 1 hour before food or meals.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
Swallow Nexium delayed-release capsules whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules. If you have trouble swallowing pills, you can open and empty the capsules into a tablespoon of applesauce. Then swallow the mixture right away. Do not crush, chew, or save the mixture for future use.
If it’s hard for you to swallow capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Nexium coupon
Visit these pages to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for Nexium and Nexium IV when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
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Get free cardOverdose of Nexium
It’s important that you do not take more Nexium than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of Nexium overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- confusion
- drowsiness
- blurry vision
- fast heart rate
- nausea
- sweating
- flushing (warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- headache
- dry mouth
What to do if you take too much Nexium
If you think you’ve taken too much Nexium, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Nexium. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of Nexium without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Nexium exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How long will I need to take Nexium?
- Will my dosage of Nexium change if I take other drugs with it?
- How does the dosage of Nexium compare with the dosage of Prilosec?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.