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Drug Class
Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)
Common Uses
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Acid reflux
- Stomach ulcers
Common Brand Names
Nexium, Emozul, Guardium, Ventra, Esomega, Esoprazole
Overview
Esomeprazole reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes.
It's widely used to:
- treat indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) – a condition which means you keep getting acid reflux
- prevent stomach ulcers
Sometimes, esomeprazole is taken for a rare condition caused by a tumour in the pancreas or gut called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Important Facts
- Esomeprazole starts to work within 2 to 3 days, but it may take up to 4 weeks for it to work fully
- Common side effects include headache, diarrhoea and stomach pain. These tend to be mild and go away when you stop taking the medicine.
- Sometimes, esomeprazole can make you feel dizzy, sleepy, or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, cycle or use machinery or tools until you feel better if this happens.
- If you buy esomeprazole without a prescription and your symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks, see a doctor before taking any more.
- You can drink alcohol while taking esomeprazole but it can make your stomach produce more acid than normal. This can irritate your stomach lining and make your symptoms worse.
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