Heartburn, acid reflux, ulcer… Esomeprazole, marketed under the name Inexium, is one of the most prescribed medications to relieve these digestive disorders. Here’s what you need to know before using it.
It is one of the leading medications for relieving heartburn. But although it is generally well tolerated, esomeprazole should not be used for long periods without medical advice. Adverse effects may occur, particularly in the event of prolonged treatment, such as vitamin B12 deficiencies, a drop in magnesium or an increased risk of digestive infections.
What is esomeprazole?
Esomeprazole is a drug from the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) family. It reduces the amount of acid produced by the stomach. By making stomach contents less acidic, it relieves heartburn and acid reflux.
What is the brand name of esomeprazole?
Marketed in particular under the name Inexium®, this medication is available by prescription, but also in a lower dosage version for direct access with Nexium Control®, reserved for the short-term treatment of occasional reflux symptoms.
What are the indications for esomeprazole?
This medication is indicated in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis and gastric or duodenal ulcers. It is also used in combination with antibiotics to eradicate the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, and to prevent digestive damage in patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ketoprofen. It can also be prescribed in the treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (pathology responsible for multiple, severe and recalcitrant gastric and duodenal ulcers).
What is the difference with omeprazole?
Esomeprazole is very close to omeprazole. The two molecules have the same composition, but their structure is slightly different, which can influence their action in the body. In practice, their effects are very similar and they are used for the same indications, particularly in cases of reflux or ulcers. Esomeprazole may, however, have a slightly more regular action in certain patients. Please note, their dosages are not equivalent: 20 mg of esomeprazole does not correspond to 20 mg of omeprazole, and they should not be interchanged without medical advice.
When is the best time to take esomeprazole?
Esomeprazole is taken either with or without a meal. Food intake may delay or decrease the gastric absorption of esomeprazole but this does not affect its effectiveness. Taking it in the morning or evening depends on when the symptoms appear: in the morning if the symptoms predominate during the day, in the evening if they occur mainly at night. The tablets or capsules should be taken whole with a drink, without being chewed or chewed. In some cases, the tablets can be dispersed in half a glass of non-carbonated water, the solution should be drunk immediately or within 30 minutes and without chewing the granules.
What are the side effects of esomeprazole?
Esomeprazole is generally well tolerated, but it can cause side effects. The most common are headaches and digestive problems such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation or nausea. In the event of prolonged treatment (more than 3 months or even more than a year), the risks increase. Esomeprazole can promote certain digestive infections, particularly linked to bacteria such as Campylobacter or Salmonella. It can also lead to a drop in magnesium or vitamin B12, causing fatigue, cramps or heart rhythm disturbances. Long-term use is also associated with an increased risk of fractures, particularly in older people. More rarely, kidney damage, serious skin reactions or cutaneous lupus may occur. Finally, this medication can interact with many treatments (anticoagulants, antidepressants, antiepileptics, antiplatelet agents, St. John’s wort, etc.). This is why it should be used at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest possible duration, with medical monitoring if treatment is prolonged.
What are the contraindications of esomeprazole?
Esomeprazole is contraindicated in cases of allergy to this molecule, to other proton pump inhibitors (benzimidazole derivatives) or to one of the components of the medication. It should not be taken in combination with certain HIV treatments, including nelfinavir, due to a significant risk of interaction. Certain forms may contain sucrose: they are therefore not recommended for people with rare sugar metabolism disorders, such as fructose intolerance or sucrase-isomaltase deficiency. Finally, in the event of unusual symptoms (unexplained weight loss, repeated vomiting, difficulty swallowing, etc.), medical advice is recommended before starting treatment, as this medication may mask a more serious illness.
