Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Nexium is used for treating gastro esophageal reflux disease.


Nexium (Esomeprazole) is a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) used to treat heartburn, or gastro esophageal reflux. It may be used in combination with two antibiotics to treat helicobacter pylori (h. Pylori) infection and duodenal ulcers. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Treatment Area: Duodenal ulcer disease, erosive esophagitis, and gastro esophageal reflux disease

Nexium tablets are gastro-resistant. This means that the coated pellets in your tablet are resistant to the acid in your stomach.

Each gastro-resistant tablet contains the active ingredient esomeprazole.

Nexium tablets come in two strengths containing 20 mg or 40 mg of the active ingredient esomeprazole (as magnesium trihydrate). Each strength of tablet is a slightly different colour:

* 20 mg tablets are light pink with an

"A" over "EH"

on one side and 20 mg on the other side.

* 40 mg tablets are pink with an

"A" over "EI"

on one side and 40 mg on the other side.

A healthcare provider may recommend

Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) to treat certain conditions related to the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.

Nexium tablets are used for treating the following conditions:

• Heartburn with or without inflammation of the gullet (oesophagus) caused by acid from the stomach escaping into the gullet. Nexium tablets reduce acid production and help the healing of the gullet by reducing the pain and inflammation.

• Ulcers in the upper part of the intestine or stomach infected with bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. Nexium tablets and the appropriate antibiotics get rid of the infection, which causes the ulcer to heal and prevents the infection and ulcer from re-appearing.

• Healing of stomach ulcers that have been caused by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as those used in the treatment of arthritis.

• To stop stomach ulcers forming, if you are at risk of developing them whilst taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as those used in the treatment of arthritis.

• To treat excess acid in the stomach caused by a growth in the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

Nexium has been approved by the FDA for the relief of heartburn and other symptoms associated with gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and for the healing of erosive esophagitis, a potentially serious condition associated with GERD. The FDA also approved Nexium for maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis and, in combination with amoxicillin and clarithromycin, for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with duodenal ulcer disease.