Esomeprazole relieves heartburn and other symptoms caused by the backflow of stomach acid into the canal to the stomach --a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is also prescribed to heal the damage that reflux disease can cause.
Prescribed in combination with the antibiotics Biaxin and Amoxil, Esomeprazole is also used to treat the infection that causes most duodenal ulcers.
Like its sister drug Prilosec, Esomeprazole works by reducing the production of stomach acid.
Esomeprazole tablets and injection contain the active ingredient esomeprazole, which is a type of drug called a proton pump inhibitor. It acts in the stomach to decrease the production of stomach acid.
Proton pumps are found on cells that line the stomach and are used by these cells to produce stomach acid. Esomeprazole works by inhibiting the action of the proton pumps, and this reduces the production of stomach acid.
Acid is produced in the stomach as a normal part of the digestive process. However, in the condition known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux, this acid is allowed to flow back into the food pipe, where it causes pain and a burning sensation known as heartburn. The acid can also irritate and cause inflammation of the lining of the foodpipe.
Esomeprazole reduces the production of stomach acid and thus reduces acid flowing back into the foodpipe. It is used to relieve the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, such as heartburn. It is also used to treat reflux oesophagitis, because stopping the acid flowing back into the foodpipe allows the lining of the foodpipe to heal. Esomeprazole is also used for the long-term management of people with healed oesophagitis, as suppressing the production of stomach acid helps prevent this condition recurring.
Esomeprazole is also used to treat ulcers in the stomach or upper intestine that are associated with a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. This type of bacteria is the most common cause of peptic ulcers. The bacteria cause the stomach to produce too much acid, which irritates the lining of the stomach and upper intestine and causes ulcers.
Esomeprazole is used in combination with antibiotics to eradicate Helicobacter pylori from the gut. The esomeprazole creates an environment in the gut in which the antibiotics can work effectively against the H pylori bacteria. The reduced acid in the gut allows the ulcer to heal, and both actions help prevent the ulcer from recurring.
Esomeprazole can also be used to prevent and treat peptic ulcers that occur as a side effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat arthritis, for example diclofenac.
Why is this drug prescribed?
- treatment and prevention of peptic ulcers associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- gastro-oesophageal reflux disease;
- eradicating helicobacter pylori bacteria from the gut which helps peptic ulcers to heal and prevents them from recurring.;
- headache;
- diarrhea;
- taste disturbance;
- swelling of the legs and ankles due to excess fluid retention;
- sleepiness;
- skin reactions such as rash and itch;
- pins and needles;
- pain in the muscles and joints;
- liver or blood disorders;
- inflammation of the skin;
- increased sweating;
- headache;
- hair loss;
- excess gas in the stomach and intestines;
- dry mouth;
- dizziness;
- disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea constipation nausea vomiting or abdominal pain;
- difficulty sleeping;
- depression;
- confusion;
- blurred vision;
- agitation;
- abdominal pain;
ADULTS
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
For relief of symptoms, the usual dosage is one 20-mg capsule daily for 4 weeks. If symptoms persist, your doctor may prescribe an additional 4 weeks of therapy.
Erosive Esophagitis
To heal damage, the dosage is 20 or 40 mg of Esomeprazole once daily for 4 to 8 weeks. If you haven't fully healed after 8 weeks, your doctor may prescribe an additional 4 to 8 weeks of therapy. To maintain healing, the dosage is 20 mg once daily.
Duodenal Ulcers
As part of a three-drug treatment to rid the body of ulcer-causing H. Pylori bacteria, Esomeprazole is prescribed at a dosage of 40 mg once daily for 10 days.
If you have severe liver problems, you should take no more than 20 mg of Esomeprazole per day.
