What is Nexium prescribed for?

Nexium (esomeprazole) is prescribed for the treatment of conditions caused by, or worsened by, too much stomach acid.

Nexium is a brand-name medication that’s also available as a generic drug called esomeprazole. Nexium comes in several forms, including:

• a delayed-release capsule (“delayed release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over time)
• delayed-release granules that you mix with water
• an injection

An over-the-counter (OTC) version of Nexium is also available, but the OTC version only treats heartburn. You’ll need a prescription version of Nexium if you have other symptoms caused by too much stomach acid.

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What is Nexium (esomeprazole) used for?

Nexium belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs work by blocking specific pumps, called proton pumps, which are located in your stomach. These pumps produce stomach acid, which helps break down the food you eat. 

Although you need a certain amount of stomach acid to help with digestion, too much can cause damage to your stomach and esophagus. (Your esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach.)

Nexium is primarily prescribed for the following conditions:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD causes stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, resulting in symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and difficulty swallowing. This backward flow of acid can irritate the lining of the esophagus and cause pain. Nexium helps provide relief from these symptoms. You usually take it once per day for 4 to 8 weeks for this condition. 
• Treatment and prevention of damage to the esophagus: With GERD, long-term acid reflux can cause damage to the esophagus, including inflammation and narrowing. This is known as erosive esophagitis. Nexium can help prevent further damage by reducing acid production. You usually take Nexium once per day for 4 to 8 weeks for this condition. 
• Stomach ulcers: Nexium can be used to treat ulcers in the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. Ulcers can form when the stomach lining is damaged by excess acid, causing painful sores that may bleed. By reducing stomach acid, Nexium can help the ulcers heal. You may need to take Nexium daily for several months for these ulcers.
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection: H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach lining and cause ulcers. Nexium is usually used in combination with antibiotics to help clear the infection and promote healing of the stomach lining. You’ll usually take Nexium once per day for 10 days for this type of infection. 
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare condition involving the production of too much stomach acid, which can lead to ulcers and other digestive problems. By limiting stomach acid production, Nexium can help manage or prevent symptoms associated with this syndrome. Your doctor will decide how long you should take Nexium for this condition, based on your symptoms and needs. 

When is the best time to take Nexium (esomeprazole)?

The drugmaker hasn’t specified that Nexium needs to be taken at a certain time of day. What’s most important with the timing is that you take Nexium on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before a meal. 

Taking Nexium an hour before eating allows the drug to send signals to your stomach to reduce the amount of acid it produces once you start eating.

If you have other health conditions or are taking other medications, your doctor may want you to take Nexium at a certain time of the day. If you’re unsure about when to take it, be sure to check with your doctor. 

Check out this Nexium dosage article for more information about the typical dosage for adults and children.

What is the difference between omeprazole and Nexium?

Omeprazole and Nexium are both proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that help reduce stomach acid. They are used to treat conditions like GERD, ulcers, and stomach acid issues, but they differ slightly in a few ways, such as:

• Brand name versus generic: Nexium is a brand-name drug. It’s also available as a generic known as esomeprazole. Omeprazole is a generic drug. It’s also available as the brand-name drug Prilosec.
• Cost: Brand-name drugs usually cost more than generics. For this reason, omeprazole may cost less than Nexium, but this can vary and may depend on various factors.
• Chemical structure: Omeprazole and Nexium (esomeprazole) are made of the same building blocks but put together a little differently. Due to the structure of the drugs, Nexium may be processed more slowly in your body than omeprazole. This means Nexium may reduce stomach acid production for a longer period of time than omeprazole. Despite their structural differences, both drugs work well to reduce stomach acid.

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What are the side effects of Nexium (esomeprazole)?

Like all medications, Nexium can cause side effects. Not everyone will experience these side effects. However, it’s important to be aware of them and to let your doctor know if you notice anything unusual.

Some of the most common side effects of Nexium may include:

• headache
• stomach pain
• diarrhea or constipation
• nausea
• gas or bloating 

In rare cases, Nexium can lead to more serious side effects, such as:

• severe allergic reaction 
• irregular or fast heartbeat
• severe diarrhea
• serious skin reactions, including blistering, peeling, or bleeding skin
• new or worsening joint pain 
• muscle spasms or seizures

If you have severe side effects, make sure you get medical attention as quickly as possible. 

For more details, see this Nexium side effects article.

Summary

Nexium is a medication known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Healthcare professionals prescribe it to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces. 

By reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces, Nexium can help prevent damage to your stomach and esophagus and manage acid-related conditions such as GERD, stomach ulcers, and erosive esophagitis. 

It’s important to take Nexium as prescribed and discuss any concerns or side effects with your doctor. If you have questions about Nexium or its uses, be sure to contact your healthcare professional for more information.