• Uses

Nexium decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Nexium is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid. Nexium is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid).

• Directions

Take Nexium exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Nexium should be taken at least one hour before a meal. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

• Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Nexium: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Less serious Nexium side effects may include: * headache; * diarrhea; * nausea, stomach pain, gas, constipation; * dry mouth.

• Precautions

You should not take Nexium if you are allergic to esomeprazole or to any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole , or mebendazole. If you have severe liver disease you may need an Nexium dose adjustment or special tests. Some conditions are treated with a combination of Nexium and antibiotics. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a general ill feeling.

• Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially: blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), diazepam (Valium), ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), HIV or AIDS medication such as atazanavir (Reyataz), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), and others - or iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others).

• Overdose

Overdose symptoms may include confusion, headache, drowsiness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, nausea, dry mouth, sweating, flushing, shortness of breath, tremor, loss of coordination, or seizure (convulsions).

• Missed dosage

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

• Storage

Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.