Nexium 24HR Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Nexium 24HR Capsule contains esomeprazole magnesium, a proton pump inhibitor available over-the-counter for adults to treat frequent heartburn. It works by reducing excessive stomach acid at the source and is taken once daily for a 14-day course. Common side effects include nausea, headache, and diarrhea, while certain warnings apply regarding allergies, specific medicines, and prolonged symptoms.

What is Nexium 24HR Capsule

Nexium 24HR is an over-the-counter capsule that contains esomeprazole magnesium, the same active ingredient found in prescription Nexium. It is a delayed-release capsule used by adults to treat frequent heartburn.

Nexium 24HR Capsule uses

• Treats and relieves frequent heartburn (heartburn that happens 2 or more days a week) in adults 18 years and older
• Treats frequent heartburn
• Reduces excessive stomach acid
• Helps relieve acid-related burning discomfort
• Provides prolonged acid suppression

Benefits of Nexium 24HR Capsule

• Reduces the number of days with heartburn over a 14-day course compared with placebo in clinical studies
• Provides longer-lasting acid control than some other over-the-counter heartburn treatments like antacids or H2 blockers

How Nexium 24HR Capsule works

Nexium 24HR reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes by blocking the acid pumps in the stomach lining at the source. It can take 1 to 4 days of regular use to reach its full effect.

Nexium 24HR Capsule dosage

Take one capsule with a glass of water before eating in the morning. Swallow the capsule whole — do not chew or crush it, since this can make the medicine work less well. Take it at the same time every day for the full 14-day course, even if you start feeling better. Do not take more than one capsule in a 24-hour period, and do not use it for more than 14 days in a row unless your doctor tells you to. Wait at least 4 months before starting another 14-day course unless your doctor says otherwise.

If you miss a dose and remember within 12 hours, take it as soon as you remember, then continue your regular schedule. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on time — do not double up.

Available forms and strengths

• Delayed-release capsules, 20 mg

Side effects of Nexium 24HR Capsule

Common

• Nausea
• Stomach upset
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Burning, prickliness, or numbing feeling
• Swelling of hands/feet/ankles
• Feeling sleepy
• Vertigo

Serious

• New or worsening joint pain
• Rash on cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun
• Skin reactions such as rash, dermatitis, itching, or hives
• Blurred vision
• Depression
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Inflammation in the mouth
• Severe allergic reaction such as swelling or anaphylaxis
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Blood disorders (reduced blood cell counts, low blood sodium)
• Inflammation of the liver (yellowing of skin and eyes)
• Gastrointestinal fungal infection
• Photosensitivity (sun sensitivity)
• Sore joints
• Feeling generally unwell
• Taste disorders
• Nervousness
• Hair loss
• Increased sweating
• Severe skin disorders (blisters, ulcers, lesions)
• Aggression
• Hallucinations
• Severely impaired liver function
• Decreased consciousness
• Inflammation of the kidney
• Development of breasts in males
• Low blood magnesium (which may cause low calcium or potassium)
• Inflammation in the gut leading to diarrhea
• Severe or persistent diarrhea

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to esomeprazole or other proton pump inhibitors, or to any ingredient in the product.
• Do not take this medicine if you are taking rilpivirine or certain other HIV medicines, as this can be dangerous.
• Talk to your doctor before use if you have had heartburn for more than 3 months, since this could be a sign of a more serious condition.
• Talk to your doctor if you are over 55 and have new or recently changed heartburn symptoms.
• Tell your doctor if you are scheduled for a specific blood test or an endoscopy or breath test, as this medicine can affect the results.
• Taking this medicine with certain drugs, such as clopidogrel, methotrexate, or warfarin, may cause interactions and should be discussed with a doctor.
• Reducing stomach acid may slightly increase the risk of certain gastrointestinal infections.
• The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be used unless a doctor recommends it.
• Small amounts of the medicine may pass into breast milk, so it should not be given to breastfeeding mothers unless a doctor recommends it.
• People with severe kidney impairment should talk to their doctor before use, though dose adjustment is generally not required.
• People with severe liver disease should not exceed the usual daily dose and should talk to their doctor before use.
• Limit alcohol intake since it can contribute to heartburn symptoms.
• This medicine is unlikely to affect your ability to drive, but if you have dizziness or vision problems, you should not drive or operate machinery.

Storage

• Keep well out of reach of children
• Keep at room temperature (15-30ºC)

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have trouble or pain swallowing food, vomit blood, or have bloody or black stools, as these may be signs of a serious condition.
• Get medical help right away if you have chest or shoulder pain with shortness of breath, sweating, pain spreading to your arms, neck, or shoulders, or lightheadedness.
• Get medical help right away if you have heartburn along with light-headedness, sweating, or dizziness.
• Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor if you have severe or ongoing diarrhea.
• Stop taking the medicine and call your doctor if your heartburn continues or gets worse.
• Stop and talk to your doctor if you need to use this product for more than 14 days, or more than once every 4 months.
• If you think you or someone you are caring for has taken too much of this medicine, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or your regional poison control center right away, even if there are no symptoms.
• Seek immediate medical help for signs of a severe allergic reaction such as swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing, or for severe skin reactions like blistering or peeling.

Alternatives

• Omeprazole
• Lansoprazole
• Pantoprazole