Esomeprazole works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It is used to treat acid-related stomach and throat (esophagus) problems (e.g., acid reflux or GERD, erosive esophagitis). Decreasing excess stomach acid can help relieve symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, persistent cough, and trouble sleeping. It can also prevent serious acid damage to your digestive system (e.g., ulcers, cancer of the esophagus).

This medication may also be used in combination with antibiotics to treat certain types of intestinal ulcers caused by bacterial infection.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using esomeprazole and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth usually once daily at least 1 hour before a meal, or as directed by your doctor.

Do not crush or chew the capsule(s). Swallow the capsule(s) whole. If you have difficulty swallowing this medication whole, the capsule may be opened and the contents sprinkled onto soft food (cold applesauce or yogurt), or emptied into a small amount of water, orange juice, or apple juice and taken as directed. Rinse the container with an additional small amount of liquid and drink the contents to make sure the entire dose is taken. Do not chew the food/medication mixture or prepare a supply in advance; this may destroy the drug and/or increase side effects.

If needed, antacids may be taken along with this medication.

The dosage and length of treatment is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Continue to take this medication for the prescribed length of treatment even if you are feeling better.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Headache, diarrhea, nausea, gas, stomach pain, constipation, or dry mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: signs of a lung infection called pneumonia (e.g., fever, cough, trouble breathing).

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: severe stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, signs of vitamin B-12 deficiency with long-term (over 3 years) treatment (e.g., unusual weakness, sore tongue, numbness or tingling of the hands/feet).

A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking esomeprazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (e.g., lansoprazole, omeprazole); or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: severe liver disease, other stomach problems (e.g., tumors).

Some symptoms may actually be signs of a more serious condition. Tell your doctor immediately if you have: heartburn combined with lightheadedness/sweating/dizziness, chest pain or shoulder/jaw pain (especially with trouble breathing), pain spreading to arms/neck/shoulders, unexplained weight loss.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Based on information for similar drugs, this medication may pass into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: atazanavir, nelfinavir.

If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting esomeprazole.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: cilostazol, warfarin, HIV drugs (such as saquinavir).

Some products need stomach acid so that the body can absorb them properly (such as ampicillin, iron supplements, calcium supplements, dasatinib, azole antifungals including ketoconazole). Esomeprazole decreases stomach acid, so it may change how well these other products work. Before using esomeprazole, consult your doctor or pharmacist about the other medications you take and for advice on how to reduce or avoid these types of interactions.

Based on information for similar drugs, esomeprazole may increase the amount of digoxin that is absorbed into your blood. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details if you also take digoxin.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include confusion, extreme sweating, blurred vision, or unusually fast heartbeat.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised April 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.