Esomeprazole works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
Oral
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take esomeprazole at least one hour before a meal.
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew the capsule. If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, you may open it and sprinkle the granules contained in the capsule on one tablespoonful of applesauce or yogurt and swallow it immediately; or you may mix the granules in some tap water or fruit juice and drink it immediately. The applesauce should not be hot, and the juices you may use include apple or orange juice. Do not chew or crush the granules.
Take this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. Also, keep your appointments with your doctor for check-ups so that your doctor will be better able to tell you when to stop taking this medicine.
Dosing - The dose of esomeprazole will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of esomeprazole. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of doses you take each day and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking esomeprazole
Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage - To store this medicine:
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against
the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For esomeprazole,
the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to esomeprazole. Also tell your health care professionfal if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Esomeprazole has not been studied in pregnant women. However, esomeprazole has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding - It is not known whether esomeprazole passes in human breast milk. Since this medicine has been shown to cause unwanted effects in animals, it may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast-feeding during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.
Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of esomeprazole in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults - This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of esomeprazole. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits. If your
condition does not improve, or if it becomes worse,discuss this with your doctor.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The following
side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your
health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of
these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side
effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache
Less common
Constipation, dryness of mouth, gas, nausea
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
