Nexium Side Effects: My Best Friend's Experience

Nexium....the Little Healing Purple Pill! But don't let its size confuse you about its efficacy. Nexium packs a powerful punch to those suffering from acid reflux disorder, and according to my best friend Doreen, those who take it are hooked for life!

What is Nexium

The active ingredient in Nexium (Esomeprazole Magnesium) is a magnesium-based compound that helps to inhibit gastric acid secretion. Those who suffer from acid reflux disease have an overabundance of acid in their stomachs that sometimes is burped back up, if you will, which can cause damage and erosion to the esophagus.

Nexium boasts 24-hour heartburn relief and can also help to heal the erosive damage in your esophagus. It is the treatment of choice for many doctors for heartburn due to acid reflux.

Nexium Side Effects

My friend Doreen, has been taking Nexium for several years now and says she literally can't live without it. She claims that without it, when she bends over, her mouth and throat become filled with a back-flow of acidic gastric contents that cause her to be very uncomfortable, to say the least. That being said, Nexium side effects, for her, have been quite minimal. Gas, constipation, hot flashes and dyspepsia (nice word for burping) are the most frequent ill effects that she has noticed. She has also been troubled by an occasional bout of insomnia, which may or may not be related to Nexium. With a 40-milligram dose once a day, she swears by it for her Acid Reflux Disorder.

Doreen denies ever experiencing headaches, diarrhea, abdominal pain or dry mouth from taking Nexium, which are some of the most frequently reported Nexium side effects. Also common are the Nexium side effects she did report, constipation dyspepsia, gas and hot flashes. For constipation and gas, her doctor recommended she increase her fiber and drink more water. She was also told that Tums, a common antacid could help her with the dyspepsia and that she should avoid spicy foods and seasonings. She takes an occasional Tylenol PM for insomnia and her hot flashes went away after taking the medication for only a couple of weeks. As with any over-the-counter medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking.

Although my friend denies any other adverse Nexium side effects, there are many that have been reported, but in less than 1% of the population studied. Included here is a partial list here that I believe should alert you to notify your physician. Make sure to alert your doctor if you develop difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, or tongue, have difficulty swallowing, chest pain, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, blood in your stools, black tarry stools, blood in your urine, vomiting, rash or hives, ringing in the ears or insomnia. Furthermore, if you are experiencing any bothersome side effect that may or may not be related to taking Nexium tell your doctor and let her decide if you should stop taking it for any reason.

Nexium comes in delayed release capsules that should be swallowed whole and not crushed. If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, you may open the capsule and put the contents into apple sauce. It is also available in a delayed release suspension. Please remember to discuss all medications with your doctor before taking them.

Sources:

www.nexium.com

www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/esomeprazole.htm