Uses of Nexium:

• It is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD; acid reflux).
• It is used to treat or prevent GI (gastrointestinal) ulcers caused by infection.
• It is used to treat or prevent ulcers of the swallowing tube (esophagus).
• It is used to treat syndromes caused by lots of stomach acid.
• It is used to treat or prevent NSAID-associated gastric ulcers in patients with a history of ulcers.
• It is used to treat heartburn.
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Nexium?

• If you have an allergy to esomeprazole or any other part of Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules).
• If you are allergic to Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules); any part of Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Atazanavir, clopidogrel, nelfinavir, rifampin, rilpivirine, or St. John's wort.
• If you have any of these health problems: Black or bloody stools; heartburn with light-headedness, sweating, or dizziness; chest pain; shoulder pain with shortness of breath; pain that spreads to the arms, neck, or shoulders; light-headedness; sweating a lot; throwing up blood; or trouble or pain swallowing food.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Nexium?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Use care if you have risks for soft, brittle bones (osteoporosis). Some of these risks include drinking alcohol, smoking, taking steroids, taking drugs to treat seizures, or having family members with osteoporosis. Talk with your doctor about your risks of osteoporosis.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules).
• This medicine may raise the chance of hip, spine, and wrist fractures in people with weak bones (osteoporosis). The chance may be higher if you take Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules) in high doses or for longer than a year, or if you are older than 50 years old.
• Rarely, low magnesium levels have happened in people taking drugs like this one for at least 3 months. Most of the time, this happened after 1 year of treatment. You will need to have blood work if you take Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules) for a long time or with certain other drugs.
• Long-term treatment (for instance longer than 3 years) with drugs like this one has rarely caused low vitamin B-12 levels. Talk with the doctor.
• Lupus has happened with Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules), as well as lupus that has gotten worse in people who already have it. Tell your doctor if you have lupus. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of lupus like a rash on the cheeks or other body parts, sunburn easy, muscle or joint pain, chest pain or shortness of breath, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

How is this medicine (Nexium) best taken?

Use Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take 1 hour before a meal.
• Take with a full glass of water.
• Swallow whole. Do not chew or crush.
• Keep taking Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules) as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• If you cannot swallow Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules) whole, you may sprinkle the contents on applesauce. If you do this, swallow the mixture right away without chewing.
• If mixing on applesauce, the applesauce should not be warm. Do not sprinkle on other liquids or foods.
• Those who have feeding tubes may make a liquid. Empty contents of capsule into a 60 mL syringe with 50 mL of water. Replace plunger and shake for 15 seconds. Flush feeding tube before and after Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules) is taken.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of low magnesium levels like mood changes, muscle pain or weakness, muscle cramps or spasms, seizures, shakiness, not hungry, very bad upset stomach or throwing up, or a heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Bone pain.
• Fever, chills, or sore throat.
• Shortness of breath.
• A big weight loss.
• This medicine may raise the chance of a severe form of diarrhea called C diff-associated diarrhea (CDAD). Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain or cramps, very loose or watery stools, or bloody stools. Do not try to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

What are some other side effects of Nexium?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Headache.
• Feeling sleepy.
• Stomach pain or diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Gas.
• Dry mouth.
• Upset stomach.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Nexium?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep lid tightly closed.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules) is refilled. If you have any questions about Nexium (esomeprazole delayed-release capsules), please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• Nexium vs Prilosec: What's the difference between them?