Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole is used for:

Treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with a history of irritation and swelling of the esophagus when medicine cannot be taken by mouth. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor. It works by decreasing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Do NOT use Esomeprazole if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Esomeprazole or similar medicines (eg, omeprazole)
• you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, atazanavir)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Esomeprazole :

Some medical conditions may interact with Esomeprazole . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver problems or stomach or bowel cancer

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Esomeprazole . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Voriconazole because it may increase the risk of Esomeprazole 's side effects
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), cilostazol, or digoxin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Esomeprazole
• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir), or iron because their effectiveness may be decreased by Esomeprazole

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Esomeprazole may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Esomeprazole :

Use Esomeprazole as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Esomeprazole is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.
• Do not use Esomeprazole if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
• If you also take an imidazole antifungal (eg, ketoconazole), take it at least 2 hours before using Esomeprazole .
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
• Esomeprazole should only be used for a short time (up to 10 days), until you are able to take medicine by mouth. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Continue to use Esomeprazole even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Esomeprazole , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Esomeprazole .

Important safety information:

• Esomeprazole may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Esomeprazole with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Contact your doctor if you have any symptoms of a bleeding ulcer, such as black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or if you experience throat pain, chest pain, severe stomach pain, or trouble swallowing.
• Esomeprazole may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are using Esomeprazole .
• Esomeprazole should be used with caution in Asian patients; the risk of side effects may be increased in these patients.
• Esomeprazole should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Esomeprazole while you are pregnant. It is not known if Esomeprazole is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Esomeprazole .

Possible side effects of Esomeprazole :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dry mouth; gas; headache; nausea; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; stomach pain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; fast heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http: / / www.aapcc.org / dnn / Resources / FindLocalPoisonCenters / tabid / 130 / Default.aspx), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; confusion; fast heartbeat; flushing; increased sweating; severe headache, drowsiness, or nausea.

Esomeprazole is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. if you are using Esomeprazole at home, store Esomeprazole as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Esomeprazole out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Esomeprazole , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Esomeprazole is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Esomeprazole . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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