Esomeprazole
Esomeprazole contains a medicine called esomeprazole. This belongs to a group of medicines called ‘proton pump inhibitors’. They work by reducing the amount of acid that your stomach produces.
Esomeprazole Tablets
Esomeprazole Tablet 20mg
NOTE: Generic medication. Brand may vary from the picture shown.
includes free private prescription
includes free private prescription
includes free private prescription
Esomeprazole Tablet 40mg
NOTE: Generic medication. Brand may vary from the picture shown.
includes free private prescription
includes free private prescription
includes free private prescription
Conditions
Adults and young people aged 12 years and above
- ‘Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease’ (GORD). This is where acid from the stomach escapes into the gullet (the tube which connects your throat to your stomach) causing pain, inflammation and heartburn.
- Ulcers in the stomach or upper part of the gut (intestine) that are infected with bacteria called ‘Helicobacter pylori’. If you have this condition, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and allow the ulcer to heal.
Adults
- Stomach ulcers caused by medicines called NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). Esomeprazole can also be used to stop stomach ulcers from forming if you are taking NSAIDs.
- Too much acid in the stomach caused by a growth in the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
- Prolonged treatment after prevention of rebleeding of ulcers with intravenous Esomeprazole .
Instructions
Always take Esomeprazole exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
- Esomeprazole gastro-resistant tablets are not recommended for children less than 12 years old.
- If you are taking this medicine for a long time, your doctor will want to monitor you (particularly if you are taking it for more than a year).
- If your doctor has told you to take this medicine as and when you need it, tell your doctor if your symptoms change.
Side Effects
Like all medicines, Esomeprazole can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
If you notice any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Esomeprazole and contact a doctor immediately:
- Sudden wheezing, swelling of your lips, tongue and throat or body, rash, fainting or difficulties in swallowing (severe allergic reaction).
- Reddening of the skin with blisters or peeling. There may also be severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. This could be ‘Stevens-Johnson syndrome’ or ‘toxic epidermal necrolysis’.
- Yellow skin, dark urine and tiredness which can be symptoms of liver problems.
These effects are rare, affecting less than 1 in 1,000 people.
Warnings
Take special care with Esomeprazole
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Esomeprazole if:
- You have severe liver problems.
- You have severe kidney problems.
Esomeprazole may hide the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, if any of the following happen to you before you start taking Esomeprazole or while you are taking it, talk to your doctor straight away:
- You lose a lot of weight for no reason and have problems swallowing.
- You get stomach pain or indigestion.
- You begin to vomit food or blood.
- You pass black stools (blood-stained faeces).
Medical Advice
Please refer to the articles below to find out more information, medical guidance and advice from our doctors on how to best treat the condition.
Learn about available treatments, symptoms, side effects and what you can do to prevent it.
