DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension (ES-oh-MEP-ra-zole)
Brand Name: Nexium

Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension is used for:

Treating heartburn or irritation of the esophagus caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It may be used to prevent stomach ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It may be used with certain antibiotics to treat ulcers of the small intestine and to prevent them from coming back. It may be used to treat conditions that cause your body to make too much stomach acid (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension is a proton pump inhibitor. It works by decreasing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Do NOT use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension or to similar medicines (eg, omeprazole)
• you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, atazanavir)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension:

Some medical conditions may interact with Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver problems or stomach or bowel cancer

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Voriconazole because it may increase the risk of Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension's side effects
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), cilostazol, or digoxin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension
• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir), or iron because their effectiveness may be decreased by Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension:

Use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before eating.
• Tear open the medicine packet. Pour the medicine into a glass with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of water. Stir well. Allow the mixture to thicken for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir again. Drink the mixture within 30 minutes. If any medicine remains in the glass, add more water. Stir, then drink immediately.
• You may take antacids while you are using Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension if you are directed to do so by your doctor.
• If you are also taking an imidazole antifungal (eg, ketoconazole), take it at least 2 hours before taking Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension.
• If you also take sucralfate, take Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension at least 30 minutes before taking sucralfate.
• Continue to take Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension.

Important safety information:

• Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Contact your doctor if you have any symptoms of a bleeding ulcer, such as black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or if you experience throat pain, chest pain, severe stomach pain, or trouble swallowing.
• Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension.
• Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension should be used with caution in Asian patients; the risk of side effects may be increased in these patients.
• Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension while you are pregnant. It is not known if Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension.

Possible side effects of Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dry mouth; gas; headache; nausea; stomach pain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; fast heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; confusion; fast heartbeat; flushing; increased sweating; severe headache, drowsiness, or nausea.

Proper storage of Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension:

Store Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Esomeprazole Delayed-Release Oral Suspension. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.