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Nexium 24HR Side Effects

Generic name: esomeprazole

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 19, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Nexium 24HR Side Effects associated with esomeprazole. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Nexium 24HR.

Applies to esomeprazole: oral capsule delayed release, oral packet, oral tablet delayed release.

Other dosage forms:

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood, urine, and other laboratory tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. If your condition does not improve, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

Do not use esomeprazole (the active ingredient contained in Nexium 24HR) if you are also using medicines containing rilpivirine (Edurant®, Complera®). Using these medicines together may cause unwanted side effects.

Esomeprazole may cause a serious type of allergic reaction when used in patients with conditions treated with antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you or your child has itching, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth.

This medicine is sometimes given together with amoxicillin (Amoxil®) and clarithromycin (Biaxin®) to treat ulcers caused by H. pylori infection. Be sure you understand the risks and proper use of any other medicines your doctor prescribes.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a change in frequency of urination or amount of urine, blood in the urine, fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, skin rash, swelling of the body, feet, or ankles, unusual tiredness or weakness, or unusual weight gain after using this medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious kidney problem called acute tubulointerstitial nephritis.

Taking this medicine for a long time may make it harder for your body to absorb vitamin B12. Tell your doctor if you have concerns about vitamin B12 deficiency.

Serious stomach conditions may occur while taking this medicine alone or together with antibiotics. Check with your doctor immediately if you or your child has stomach cramps, bloated feeling, watery and severe diarrhea which may also be bloody sometimes, fever, nausea or vomiting, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may increase your risk of having fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine. This is more likely if you are 50 years of age and older, use high doses, or use it for one year or more. Call your doctor right away if you have severe bone pain or are unable to walk or sit normally.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may cause hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood). This is more likely to occur if you are using this medicine for more than one year, or if you are using it together with digoxin (Lanoxin®) or certain diuretics (water pills). Check with your doctor right away if you have convulsions (seizures), a fast, racing, or uneven heartbeat, muscle spasms (tetany), tremors, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Cutaneous or systemic lupus erythematosus may occur or gets worse in lupus patients and are taking PPI. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a joint pain or skin rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse when exposed in the sun.

This medicine may increase your risk for fundic gland polyps (abnormal tissue growth in the upper part of your stomach). This is more likely if you are using this medicine for more than 1 year. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Do not stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor, or unless told to do so by your doctor.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you or your child are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription (eg, clopidogrel, atazanavir, nelfinavir, Plavix®, Reyataz®, Viracept®) or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Common side effects of Nexium 24HR

Some side effects of esomeprazole may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

  • bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
  • change in taste

Less common side effects

  • sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Rare side effects

  • acne
  • back pain

Incidence not known

  • agitation
  • decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  • excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
  • full feeling
  • inability to have or keep an erection
  • increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
  • loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
  • loss or thinning of the hair
  • muscular weakness
  • passing gas
  • redness or other discoloration of the skin
  • seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
  • severe sunburn
  • swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
  • swelling or inflammation of the mouth
  • swollen joints

Serious side effects of Nexium 24HR

Along with its needed effects, esomeprazole may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking esomeprazole:

Incidence not known

  • black, tarry stools
  • blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  • bloating
  • chest pain or tightness
  • chills
  • confusion
  • constipation
  • cough
  • darkened urine
  • decreased urine
  • difficulty with swallowing
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • dry mouth
  • fast heartbeat
  • fever
  • indigestion
  • joint or muscle pain
  • loss of appetite
  • mood or mental changes
  • muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
  • muscle spasms (tetany) or twitching
  • nausea
  • numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  • red, irritated eyes
  • seizures
  • skin rash, hives, itching
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
  • stomach cramps
  • swollen glands
  • trouble breathing
  • trembling
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting
  • yellow eyes or skin

For healthcare professionals

Applies to esomeprazole: intravenous powder for injection, oral delayed release capsule, oral delayed release tablet, oral powder for reconstitution delayed release.

General adverse events

The most frequently occurring adverse reactions were headache and diarrhea.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions for patients who received triple therapy for 10 days were diarrhea, taste perversion, and abdominal pain.[Ref]

Nervous system

Gastrointestinal

Respiratory

Other

Dermatologic

Cardiovascular

Musculoskeletal

An increased risk of hip fracture has been reported in a cohort study. The risk was significantly increased among patients prescribed long-term high PPIs.[Ref]

Endocrine

Local

Immunologic

Hepatic

Ocular

Psychiatric

Hematologic

Metabolic

Hypersensitivity

Renal

Genitourinary

See also:

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Nexium (esomeprazole)." Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

4. (2014) "Product Information. NexIUM I.V. (esomeprazole)." Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals

5. (2014) "Product Information. Esomeprazole Strontium (esomeprazole)." Amneal Pharmaceuticals

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Nexium 24HR side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.