Nexium treats acid reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). It can help to reduce the symptoms of heartburn and is used to treat stomach and oesophagus problems. Using Nexium can help to heal damage to these areas from acid reflux.
Acid reflux happens when the muscle at the bottom of your oesophagus relaxes at the wrong time or the sphincter muscle becomes weak or fails to close tightly, allowing stomach acid back up into your oesophagus. The burning feeling that comes as a result of acid reflux is known as heartburn. Acid reflux can also cause other symptoms such as an unpleasant taste in your mouth, a cough, hiccups, a hoarse voice, bad breath, bloating and feeling sick. These symptoms can be worse after eating, when you’re lying down and when you bend over.
If these symptoms continue and they keep happening, it’s known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or GORD. It’s a relatively common condition but can be uncomfortable, frustrating and cause problems with fairly simple day-to-day tasks like eating, exercise and lying down. There are also lifestyle changes that can be made to try and improve the symptoms of these conditions.
Nexium - a treatment for acid reflux and heartburn - is a branded version of medication called Esomeprazole. It’s available as a gastro-resistant capsule, as a tablet or as an oral suspension fluid.
How does Nexium work?
The active ingredient in Nexium, esomeprazole, works on the proton pumps in the wall of the stomach. These are responsible for the production and release of acids, which are essential in the breaking down of food. Nexium works to reduce the action of these pumps, which lowers the amount of stomach acids that are produced, helping to decrease the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.
What doses of Nexium are there?
Nexium tablets are available in two doses: 20mg and 40 mg. The usual dose is one tablet or capsule daily for up to 4 weeks for the treatment of acid reflux. For long-term prevention of acid reflux you may need to take it for as long as your doctor tells you to.
There are also granules for oral suspension which you should take in accordance with guidance from your doctor and the instructions that come with your Nexium.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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How to take Nexium
This can depend on the type of Nexium you’re using. Always read the instructions that come with your Nexium before you start your treatment, to ensure that you understand how to take this medication. If you have any questions about how to take Nexium during your treatment, you can send a question to our clinical team at any time.
Instructions: Nexium capsules
The capsules should be swallowed whole as they’re gastro-resistant (this simply means that it’s resistant to being broken down in the stomach as they need to be absorbed in the intestines to be effective). They can be taken at any time of day and with or without food.
Instructions: Nexium granules
To take Nexium in granule form, start by pouring a glass of still water. Use the right amount of water for the number of packets you’re taking. You need three teaspoons per packet of granules. Pour the granules into the water and stir. Leave it for a few minutes, letting it thicken. Then stir it again and drink it. Don’t leave it for more than half an hour before drinking it.
How long does it take Nexium to work?
Nexium starts to work straight away after a single dose. It takes about 1-2 hours to reach its performance ‘peak’ in the bloodstream. In clinical trials, taking Nexium at the same time as food wasn’t shown to slow down its effectiveness .
What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Nexium?
Take it when you remember if you miss a dose. If it’s almost time for your next dose, just skip the one you missed. Get medical advice urgently if you take too much.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
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FAQ: Nexium
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is Nexium different to other treatments for GORD?
Answer:
Nexium, containing the active ingredient esomeprazole, is thought to be processed more slowly than some alternatives. This means that the levels of the drug are higher in your bloodstream, which may mean that it helps to reduce the production of acid in your body for a longer amount of time. It also offers more effective control than alternatives, such as omeprazole, at the same doses.
It’s also broken down differently by your liver to some alternatives, which could mean that you need fewer treatments than other types of medication for acid reflux and GORD. Esomeprazole can also provide faster relief than alternatives in the first week of use, so you may feel the benefits of the medication sooner.
Nexium offers a different way to take to this type of acid reflux relief that isn’t an option with many of alternative treatments. If you find it difficult to take tablets (or you don’t like taking them) then granules might be a better option for you.
Is Nexium similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
Acid reflux treatments tend to be from the group of medications known as proton pump inhibitors, and work similarly, but can be slightly different drugs. For example omeprazole, which is slightly different to the active ingredient in Nexium (esomeprazole).
Which dose of Nexium should I use?
Answer:
Your dose of Nexium depends on what condition you’re treating and how bad your symptoms are. For example, the dose for ulcers is different to the dose for acid reflux.
You might take the higher dose for an ulcer for a shorter period of time, but for acid reflux you might only need a lower dose but for a longer period. For treatment of acid reflux you’ll only take it for 4-8 weeks, but for long term prevention you’ll take it over a prolonged period.
Your doctor can talk to you about the right amount to take for your condition and symptoms to find relief from the symptoms that you’re experiencing.
How effective is Nexium?
Answer:
Omeprazole (the active ingredient in Nexium) has been shown to offer significantly greater acid control than alternatives like lansoprazole, one of the other popular treatments for acid reflux. It’s also thought to offer faster relief from nighttime symptoms in comparison.
Nexium starts to work straight away after a single dose. One study showed that 86% of patients with severe symptoms healed within 12 weeks of using omeprazole.
Do I need a prescription for Nexium?
Answer:
You’ll require a prescription in order to buy Nexium. This is so that a doctor can make sure it’s the right treatment for you and also monitor your use of it.
Why should I buy Nexium online with Treated?
Answer:
Heartburn, acid reflux and GORD can be uncomfortable and affect your quality of life. It can also have an impact on things like your dental health, so getting convenient treatment when you need it is important.
At Treated, our clinical team is available at any time to answer your questions and give you guidance on the right treatment for you. It’s also easy to adjust your treatment as needed to make sure it’s working as well as it can for you.
We’ll keep in touch with you regularly during your treatment to make sure that everything is working out well. We’ll listen to what you need to make sure you get the relief you need from heartburn, acid reflux or GORD. Your health is important, and we want to help you to feel as healthy as you can.
Röhss, K., Hasselgren, G. and Hedenström, H. (2002).
Effect of esomeprazole 40 mg vs omeprazole 40 mg on 24-hour intragastric pH in patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 47(5), pp.954–958. [Accessed 13 May 2021].
Comparative study of omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole and esomeprazole for symptom relief in patients with reflux esophagitis. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 15(8), p.990.
Comparison of the effects of immediate-release omeprazole oral suspension, delayed-release lansoprazole capsules and delayed-release esomeprazole capsules on nocturnal gastric acidity after bedtime dosing in patients with night-time GERD symptoms. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 25(2), pp.197–205.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
