Esomeprazole is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and cough. This medication helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus. Esomeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking esomeprazole and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily, at least 1 hour before a meal. This medication may also be given through a tube into the stomach (nasogastric or gastric tube). The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Children's dosage may be based on weight.

If you are taking the 2.5-milligram-strength or 5-milligram-strength packets by mouth, empty the contents of a packet into a container with 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of water. Stir the mixture well and leave it for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken. Stir again and drink all of the mixture within 30 minutes. If any medication remains in the container, add more water, stir, and drink right away to make sure you take the entire dose.

If you are taking any other strength of this medication, empty the contents of a packet into a container with 1 tablespoon (half an ounce or 15 milliliters) of water. Stir the mixture well and leave it for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken. Stir again and drink all of the mixture within 30 minutes. If any medication remains in the container, add more water, stir, and drink right away to make sure you take the entire dose.

Do not crush or chew the medication granules. Doing so may destroy the drug.

If you are giving this medication through a nasogastric or gastric tube, ask your health care professional for detailed instructions on how to properly mix and give it.

If needed, antacids may be taken along with this medication. If you are also taking sucralfate, take esomeprazole at least 30 minutes before sucralfate.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Continue to take this medication for the prescribed length of treatment even if you are feeling better.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse. The risk of side effects goes up over time. Ask your doctor how long you should take this medication.

See also Precautions section.

Headache or abdominal pain may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• symptoms of a low magnesium blood level (such as muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat, seizures)
• signs of lupus (such as rash on nose and cheeks, new or worsening joint pain)
• signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine, pink/bloody urine)

This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop:

• diarrhea that doesn't stop
• abdominal or stomach pain/cramping
• blood/mucus in your stool

If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid products because they may make symptoms worse.

Rarely, proton pump inhibitors (such as esomeprazole) have caused vitamin B-12 deficiency. The risk is increased if they are taken every day for a long time (3 years or longer). Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency (such as unusual weakness, sore tongue, or numbness/tingling of the hands/feet).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• fever
• swollen lymph nodes
• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking esomeprazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other PPIs (such as lansoprazole, omeprazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• liver disease
• lupus

Some symptoms may actually be signs of a more serious condition. Get medical help right away if you have:

• heartburn with lightheadedness/sweating/dizziness
• chest/jaw/arm/shoulder pain (especially with shortness of breath, unusual sweating)
• unexplained weight loss

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Proton pump inhibitors (such as esomeprazole) may increase your risk for bone fractures, especially with longer use, higher doses, and in older adults. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about ways to prevent bone loss/fracture, such as by taking calcium (such as calcium citrate) and vitamin D supplements.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially bone loss and fractures (see above), and C. difficile infection (see Side Effects section).

Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially fever, cough, and infections of the nose/throat/airways.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk. The effects on a nursing infant are unknown. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

See also How to Use section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• clopidogrel
• mavacamten
• methotrexate (especially high-dose treatment)
• rifampin
• St John's wort

Some products need stomach acid so that the body can absorb them properly. Esomeprazole decreases stomach acid, so it may change how well these products work. Some affected products include atazanavir, erlotinib, levoketoconazole, nelfinavir, pazopanib, rilpivirine, sparsentan, certain azole antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole), among others.

Esomeprazole is very similar to omeprazole. Do not use any medications containing omeprazole while using esomeprazole.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests, possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: confusion, extreme sweating, blurred vision, or unusually fast heartbeat.

Do not share this medication with others.

If your doctor instructs you to use this medication regularly for a long time, lab and/or medical tests (such as a magnesium blood test, vitamin B-12 levels) may be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from moisture. Do not open the packets until you are ready to use the medication. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.