Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole is a generic medicine used to treat symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). It contains the active ingredient esomeprazole magnesium dihydrate, which helps reduce the amount of stomach acid your body produces. This lowers the risk of acid moving up into your gullet, helping to ease symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn.

Esomeprazole is a medication that's part of a group called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs work by targeting the proton pump molecules in the cells that produce stomach acid, reducing the amount of acid they make. This helps lower the chances of acid moving up into your oesophagus and causing symptoms of GORD.

There are two dosages of Esomeprazole available for treating GORD symptoms: 20mg and 40mg. The amount you take will depend on your specific condition and how effectively Esomeprazole manages it.

If your oesophagus is damaged, the standard dose is one 40 mg tablet daily for four weeks, with the option of another four-week course if it hasn't completely healed. If your oesophagus is fine, you'll usually take up to 20 mg of Esomeprazole each day, as needed. If you feel your GORD isn't well managed with your current dose, have a chat with your clinician. They might suggest increasing your dose for a month or two to see if that makes a difference.

If Esomeprazole doesn't suit you, there are other treatments for GORD you can consider. If you want something similar to Esomeprazole, other proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, and pantoprazole, function in the same manner.

Vimovo is a medication that combines naproxen, an anti-inflammatory, with esomeprazole. It's prescribed for conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, rather than GORD. The esomeprazole in it helps minimise stomach issues that can occur with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen.

Esomeprazole, like any medication, may cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them. The most common side effects of Esomeprazole include:

Taking Esomeprazole for an extended period, particularly in higher doses, may raise the risk of fractures in your wrist, spine, and hip, and can also lead to low magnesium levels, known as hypomagnesaemia. If you have any worries while using Esomeprazole, it's important to talk to your clinician.

There are some very rare but serious side effects of Esomeprazole that you should be aware of. If you experience any of the following, stop taking Esomeprazole and seek medical help straight away:

For a detailed guide on the side effects of Esomeprazole, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

If you are pregnant, suspect you might be, or are planning to start a family, have a chat with your clinician before using this medication. They will let you know if taking Esomeprazole during pregnancy is suitable for you.

We aren't sure if Esomeprazole gets into breast milk, so it's best to avoid taking it while you're breastfeeding.

No, you can't buy generic Esomeprazole without a prescription. However, there is a branded version called Nexium that you can get over the counter. Nexium is available in lower doses of 10 mg and 20 mg. If your symptoms are quite severe or Nexium isn't managing them effectively, generic Esomeprazole might be a more suitable choice.

Alcohol doesn't interfere with the way Esomeprazole works. In fact, research indicates that gastroesophageal reflux was reduced by 93% in healthy volunteers taking Esomeprazole compared to those taking a placebo.

However, alcohol causes your stomach to produce more acid than usual. This can irritate your stomach lining and worsen the symptoms of GORD.