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Indications/Uses
For the treatment of peptic ulcer disease, NSAID-associated ulceration, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Dosage/Direction for Use
For Peptic Ulcer Disease, usual dose as a component of a triple therapy regimen is 20 mg Esomeprazole orally twice daily, or 40 mg once daily for 10 days.
For NSAID-associated ulceration, oral doses of 20 mg daily, for 4 to 8 weeks, are used for the treatment NSAID associated ulceration; a dose of 20mg may also be used for prophylaxis in patients at risk of such lesions who require continued NSAID treatment.
For Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease, 20 or 40 mg daily for initial treatment, and a further 4 to 8 weeks of treatment for those who do not heal after 4 to 8 weeks.
For Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, initial oral dose is 40 mg twice daily, which is then adjusted as needed. Doses above 80 mg daily should be given in 2 individual doses
For NSAID-associated ulceration, oral doses of 20 mg daily, for 4 to 8 weeks, are used for the treatment NSAID associated ulceration; a dose of 20mg may also be used for prophylaxis in patients at risk of such lesions who require continued NSAID treatment.
For Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease, 20 or 40 mg daily for initial treatment, and a further 4 to 8 weeks of treatment for those who do not heal after 4 to 8 weeks.
For Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, initial oral dose is 40 mg twice daily, which is then adjusted as needed. Doses above 80 mg daily should be given in 2 individual doses
Overdosage
There is very limited experience to date with deliberate overdose. The symptoms described in connection with 280 mg were gastrointestinal symptoms and weakness. Single doses of 80 mg esomeprazole were uneventful. No specific antidote is known. Esomeprazole is extensively plasma protein bound and is therefore not readily dialyzable. As in any case of overdose, treatment should be symptomatic and general supportive measures should be utilised.
Administration
May be taken with or without food: Swallow whole, do not chew/crush.
Contraindications
Esomeprazole is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation or to the substituted benzimidazoles.
Special Precautions
In the presence of any alarm symptom (e.g. significant unintentional weight loss, recurrent vomiting, dysphagia, haematemesis or melaena) and when gastric ulcer is suspected or present, malignancy should be excluded, as treatment with Nexium may alleviate symptoms and delay diagnosis.
Long Term Use: Patients on long-term treatment (particularly those treated for more than a year) should be kept under regular surveillance.
On Demand Treatment: Patients on on-demand treatment should be instructed to contact their physician if their symptoms change in character.
Helicobacter pylori eradication: When prescribing esomeprazole for eradication of Helicobacter pylori, possible drug interactions for all components in the triple therapy should be considered. Clarithromycin is a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 and hence contraindications and interactions for clarithromycin should be considered when the triple therapy is used in patients concurrently taking other drugs metabolised via CYP3A4 such as cisapride.
Gastrointestinal infections: Treatment with proton pump inhibitors may lead to slightly increased risk of gastrointestinal infections such as Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Absorption of vitamin B12: Esomeprazole, as all acid-blocking medicines, may reduce the absorption of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) due to hypo- or achlorhydria. This should be considered in patients with reduced body stores or risk factors for reduced vitamin B12 absorption on long-term therapy.
Hypomagnesaemia: Severe hypomagnesaemia has been reported in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like esomeprazole for at least three months, and in most cases for a year. Serious manifestations of hypomagnesaemia such as fatigue, tetany, delirium, convulsions, dizziness and ventricular arrhythmia can occur but they may begin insidiously and be overlooked. In most affected patients, hypomagnesaemia improved after magnesium replacement and discontinuation of the PPI.
For patients expected to be on prolonged treatment or who take PPIs with digoxin or drugs that may cause hypomagnesaemia (e.g. diuretics), healthcare professionals should consider measuring magnesium levels before starting PPI treatment and periodically during treatment.
Risk of fracture: Proton pump inhibitors, especially if used in high doses and over long durations (>1 year), may modestly increase the risk of hip, wrist and spine fracture, predominantly in the elderly or in presence of other recognised risk factors. Observational studies suggest that proton pump inhibitors may increase the overall risk of fracture by 10-40%. Some of this increase may be due to other risk factors. Patients at risk of osteoporosis should receive care according to current clinical guidelines and they should have an adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium.
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE): Proton pump inhibitors are associated with very infrequent cases of SCLE. If lesions occur, especially in sun-exposed areas of the skin, and if accompanied by arthralgia, the patient should seek medical help promptly and the health care professional should consider stopping Nexium. SCLE after previous treatment with a proton pump inhibitor may increase the risk of SCLE with other proton pump inhibitors.
Combination with other medicinal products: Co-administration of esomeprazole with atazanavir is not recommended (see Interactions). If the combination of atazanavir with a proton pump inhibitor is judged unavoidable, close clinical monitoring is recommended in combination with an increase in the dose of atazanavir to 400 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir; esomeprazole 20 mg should not be exceeded.
Esomeprazole is a CYP2C19 inhibitor. When starting or ending treatment with esomeprazole, the potential for interactions with drugs metabolised through CYP2C19 should be considered. An interaction is observed between clopidogrel and esomeprazole. The clinical relevance of this interaction is uncertain. As a precaution, concomitant use of esomeprazole and clopidogrel should be discouraged.
When prescribing esomeprazole for on demand therapy, the implications for interactions with other pharmaceuticals, due to fluctuating plasma concentrations of esomeprazole should be considered.
Sucrose: This medicinal product contains sucrose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.
Interference with laboratory tests: Increased Chromogranin A (CgA) level may interfere with investigations for neuroendocrine tumours. To avoid this interference, esomeprazole treatment should be stopped for at least 5 days before CgA measurements. If CgA and gastrin levels have not returned to reference range after initial measurement, measurements should be repeated 14 days after cessation of proton pump inhibitor treatment.
Long Term Use: Patients on long-term treatment (particularly those treated for more than a year) should be kept under regular surveillance.
On Demand Treatment: Patients on on-demand treatment should be instructed to contact their physician if their symptoms change in character.
Helicobacter pylori eradication: When prescribing esomeprazole for eradication of Helicobacter pylori, possible drug interactions for all components in the triple therapy should be considered. Clarithromycin is a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 and hence contraindications and interactions for clarithromycin should be considered when the triple therapy is used in patients concurrently taking other drugs metabolised via CYP3A4 such as cisapride.
Gastrointestinal infections: Treatment with proton pump inhibitors may lead to slightly increased risk of gastrointestinal infections such as Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Absorption of vitamin B12: Esomeprazole, as all acid-blocking medicines, may reduce the absorption of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) due to hypo- or achlorhydria. This should be considered in patients with reduced body stores or risk factors for reduced vitamin B12 absorption on long-term therapy.
Hypomagnesaemia: Severe hypomagnesaemia has been reported in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like esomeprazole for at least three months, and in most cases for a year. Serious manifestations of hypomagnesaemia such as fatigue, tetany, delirium, convulsions, dizziness and ventricular arrhythmia can occur but they may begin insidiously and be overlooked. In most affected patients, hypomagnesaemia improved after magnesium replacement and discontinuation of the PPI.
For patients expected to be on prolonged treatment or who take PPIs with digoxin or drugs that may cause hypomagnesaemia (e.g. diuretics), healthcare professionals should consider measuring magnesium levels before starting PPI treatment and periodically during treatment.
Risk of fracture: Proton pump inhibitors, especially if used in high doses and over long durations (>1 year), may modestly increase the risk of hip, wrist and spine fracture, predominantly in the elderly or in presence of other recognised risk factors. Observational studies suggest that proton pump inhibitors may increase the overall risk of fracture by 10-40%. Some of this increase may be due to other risk factors. Patients at risk of osteoporosis should receive care according to current clinical guidelines and they should have an adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium.
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE): Proton pump inhibitors are associated with very infrequent cases of SCLE. If lesions occur, especially in sun-exposed areas of the skin, and if accompanied by arthralgia, the patient should seek medical help promptly and the health care professional should consider stopping Nexium. SCLE after previous treatment with a proton pump inhibitor may increase the risk of SCLE with other proton pump inhibitors.
Combination with other medicinal products: Co-administration of esomeprazole with atazanavir is not recommended (see Interactions). If the combination of atazanavir with a proton pump inhibitor is judged unavoidable, close clinical monitoring is recommended in combination with an increase in the dose of atazanavir to 400 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir; esomeprazole 20 mg should not be exceeded.
Esomeprazole is a CYP2C19 inhibitor. When starting or ending treatment with esomeprazole, the potential for interactions with drugs metabolised through CYP2C19 should be considered. An interaction is observed between clopidogrel and esomeprazole. The clinical relevance of this interaction is uncertain. As a precaution, concomitant use of esomeprazole and clopidogrel should be discouraged.
When prescribing esomeprazole for on demand therapy, the implications for interactions with other pharmaceuticals, due to fluctuating plasma concentrations of esomeprazole should be considered.
Sucrose: This medicinal product contains sucrose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.
Interference with laboratory tests: Increased Chromogranin A (CgA) level may interfere with investigations for neuroendocrine tumours. To avoid this interference, esomeprazole treatment should be stopped for at least 5 days before CgA measurements. If CgA and gastrin levels have not returned to reference range after initial measurement, measurements should be repeated 14 days after cessation of proton pump inhibitor treatment.
Use In Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy: Clinical data on exposed pregnancies with Esomeprazole are insufficient. With the racemic mixture omeprazole data on a larger number of exposed pregnancies from epidemiological studies indicate no malformative nor foetotoxic effect. Animal studies with esomeprazole do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to embryonal/foetal development. Animal studies with the racemic mixture do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, parturition or postnatal development. Caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant women. A moderate amount of data on pregnant women (between 300-1000 pregnancy outcomes) indicates no malformative or foeto/neonatal toxicity of esomeprazole.
Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity.
Lactation: It is not known whether esomeprazole is excreted in human breast milk. There is insufficient information on the effects of esomeprazole in newborns/infants. Esomeprazole should not be used during breast-feeding.
Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity.
Lactation: It is not known whether esomeprazole is excreted in human breast milk. There is insufficient information on the effects of esomeprazole in newborns/infants. Esomeprazole should not be used during breast-feeding.
Adverse Reactions
Adverse effects are relatively infrequent. The adverse effects reported most often have been headache, diarrhea, and skin rashes. Other effects include pruritus, dizziness, fatigue, constipation, nausea and vomiting, flatulence, abdominal pain, arthralgia and myalgia, urticaria, and dry mouth. Isolated cases of photosensitivity, bullous eruptions, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis have occurred. Hypersensitivity reactions, including fever, bronchospasms, angioedema, and anaphylaxis have been reported. Effects on the CNS include occasional insomnia, somnolence, and vertigo; reversible confusional states, agitation, depression, and hallucinations have occurred in severely ill patients.
Drug Interactions
Esomeprazole is metabolized by the Cytochrome P450 system, primarily by isoenzyme CYP2C19, and to a smaller extent by CYP3A4. Inhibitors or inducers of these enzymes may affect exposure to Esomeprazole. In turn, Esomeprazole may alter the metabolism of some drugs metabolized by these enzymes. Esomeprazole may prolong the elimination of diazepam, phenytoin, and warfarin. It can reduce the absorption of drugs, such as dasatinib, ketoconazole, and itraconazole., whose absorption is dependent on acid gastric pH. Esomeprazole should not be used with atazanavir, as it substantially reduces exposure to atazanavir.
Storage
Store at temperatures not exceeding 30°C.
Action
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Drugs for acid-related disorders proton pump inhibitors.
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Mechanism of Action: Esomeprazole is a weak base and is concentrated and converted to the active form in the highly acidic environment of the secretory canaliculi of the parietal cell, where it inhibits the enzyme H+K+-ATPase – the acid pump and inhibits both basal and stimulated acid secretion.
Pharmacodynamic effects: After oral dosing with esomeprazole 20 mg and 40 mg the onset of effect occurs within one hour. After repeated administration with 20 mg esomeprazole once daily for five days, mean peak acid output after pentagastrin stimulation is decreased 90% when measured 6-7 hours after dosing on day five.
After five days of oral dosing with 20 mg and 40 mg of esomeprazole, intragastric pH above 4 was maintained for a mean time of 13 hours and 17 hours, respectively over 24 hours in symptomatic GERD patients. The proportion of patients maintaining an intragastric pH above 4 for at least 8, 12 and 16 hours respectively were for esomeprazole 20 mg 76%, 54% and 24%. Corresponding proportions for esomeprazole 40 mg were 97%, 92% and 56%.
Using AUC as a surrogate parameter for plasma concentration, a relationship between inhibition of acid secretion and exposure has been shown.
Healing of reflux esophagitis with esomeprazole 40 mg occurs in approximately 78% of patients after four weeks, and in 93% after eight weeks.
One week treatment with esomeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. and appropriate antibiotics, results in successful eradication of H. pylori in approximately 90% of patients.
After eradication treatment for one week, there is no need for subsequent monotherapy with antisecretory drugs for effective ulcer healing and symptom resolution in uncomplicated duodenal ulcers.
In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, patients with endoscopically confirmed peptic ulcer bleeding characterised as Forrest Ia, Ib, IIa or IIb (9%, 43%, 38% and 10% respectively) were randomized to receive Nexium solution for infusion (n=375) or placebo (n=389). Following endoscopic hemostasis, patients received either 80 mg esomeprazole as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes followed by a continuous infusion of 8 mg per hour or placebo for 72 hours. After the initial 72 hour period, all patients received open-label 40 mg oral Nexium for 27 days for acid suppression. The occurrence of rebleeding within 3 days was 5.9% in the Nexium treated group compared to 10.3% for the placebo group. At 30 days post-treatment, the occurrence of rebleeding in the Nexium treated versus the placebo treated group 7.7% vs 13.6%.
During treatment with antisecretory medicinal products, serum gastrin increases in response to the decreased acid secretion. Also, CgA increases due to decreased gastric acidity. The increased CgA level may interfere with investigations for neuroendocrine tumours. Available published evidence suggests that proton pump inhibitors should be discontinued between 5 days and 2 weeks prior to CgA measurements. This is to allow CgA levels that might be spuriously elevated following PPI treatment to return to reference range.
An increased number of ECL cells possibly related to the increased serum gastrin levels, have been observed in both children and adults during long-term treatment with esomeprazole. The findings are considered to be of no clinical significance.
During long-term treatment with antisecretory drugs, gastric glandular cysts have been reported to occur at a somewhat increased frequency. These changes are a physiological consequence of pronounced inhibition of acid secretion, are benign and appear to be reversible.
Decreased gastric acidity due to any means including proton pump inhibitors, increases gastric counts of bacteria normally present in the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with proton pump inhibitors may lead to slightly increased risk of gastrointestinal infections such as Salmonella and Campylobacter and, in hospitalised patients, possibly also Clostridium difficile.
Clinical efficacy: In two studies with ranitidine as an active comparator, Nexium showed better effect in healing of gastric ulcers in patients using NSAIDs, including COX-2 selective NSAIDs.
In two studies with placebo as comparator, Nexium showed better effect in the prevention of gastric and duodenal ulcers in patients using NSAIDs (aged >60 and/or with previous ulcer), including COX-2 selective NSAIDs.
Paediatric population: In a study in paediatric GERD patients (<1 to 17 years of age) receiving long-term PPI treatment, 61% of the children developed minor degrees of ECL cell hyperplasia with no known clinical significance and with no development of atrophic gastritis or carcinoid tumours.
Pharmacokinetics: Esomeprazole is rapidly absorbed after oral dose, with peak plasma levels occurring after about 1 to 2 hours. It is acid labile and an enteric-coated formulation has been developed. Bioavailability of Esomeprazole increases with both dose and repeated administration to about 68 and 89% for doses of 20 and 40mg, respectively. Food delays and decreases the absorption of Esomeprazole, but this does not significantly change its effect on intragastric acidity. Esomeprazole is about 97% bound to plasma proteins. It is extensively metabolized in the liver by the Cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP2C19 to hydroxy and demethyl metabolites, which have no effect on gastric acid secretion. The remainder is metabolized by the Cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP3A4 to Esomeprazole Sulfone. With repeated dosage, there is a decrease in first-pass metabolism and systemic clearance, probably caused by an inhibition of the CYP2C19 isoenzyme.
However, there is no accumulation during once daily use. The plasma elimination half-life is about 1.3 hours. Almost 80% of an oral dose is eliminated as metabolites in the urine, the remainder in the feces.
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Mechanism of Action: Esomeprazole is a weak base and is concentrated and converted to the active form in the highly acidic environment of the secretory canaliculi of the parietal cell, where it inhibits the enzyme H+K+-ATPase – the acid pump and inhibits both basal and stimulated acid secretion.
Pharmacodynamic effects: After oral dosing with esomeprazole 20 mg and 40 mg the onset of effect occurs within one hour. After repeated administration with 20 mg esomeprazole once daily for five days, mean peak acid output after pentagastrin stimulation is decreased 90% when measured 6-7 hours after dosing on day five.
After five days of oral dosing with 20 mg and 40 mg of esomeprazole, intragastric pH above 4 was maintained for a mean time of 13 hours and 17 hours, respectively over 24 hours in symptomatic GERD patients. The proportion of patients maintaining an intragastric pH above 4 for at least 8, 12 and 16 hours respectively were for esomeprazole 20 mg 76%, 54% and 24%. Corresponding proportions for esomeprazole 40 mg were 97%, 92% and 56%.
Using AUC as a surrogate parameter for plasma concentration, a relationship between inhibition of acid secretion and exposure has been shown.
Healing of reflux esophagitis with esomeprazole 40 mg occurs in approximately 78% of patients after four weeks, and in 93% after eight weeks.
One week treatment with esomeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. and appropriate antibiotics, results in successful eradication of H. pylori in approximately 90% of patients.
After eradication treatment for one week, there is no need for subsequent monotherapy with antisecretory drugs for effective ulcer healing and symptom resolution in uncomplicated duodenal ulcers.
In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, patients with endoscopically confirmed peptic ulcer bleeding characterised as Forrest Ia, Ib, IIa or IIb (9%, 43%, 38% and 10% respectively) were randomized to receive Nexium solution for infusion (n=375) or placebo (n=389). Following endoscopic hemostasis, patients received either 80 mg esomeprazole as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes followed by a continuous infusion of 8 mg per hour or placebo for 72 hours. After the initial 72 hour period, all patients received open-label 40 mg oral Nexium for 27 days for acid suppression. The occurrence of rebleeding within 3 days was 5.9% in the Nexium treated group compared to 10.3% for the placebo group. At 30 days post-treatment, the occurrence of rebleeding in the Nexium treated versus the placebo treated group 7.7% vs 13.6%.
During treatment with antisecretory medicinal products, serum gastrin increases in response to the decreased acid secretion. Also, CgA increases due to decreased gastric acidity. The increased CgA level may interfere with investigations for neuroendocrine tumours. Available published evidence suggests that proton pump inhibitors should be discontinued between 5 days and 2 weeks prior to CgA measurements. This is to allow CgA levels that might be spuriously elevated following PPI treatment to return to reference range.
An increased number of ECL cells possibly related to the increased serum gastrin levels, have been observed in both children and adults during long-term treatment with esomeprazole. The findings are considered to be of no clinical significance.
During long-term treatment with antisecretory drugs, gastric glandular cysts have been reported to occur at a somewhat increased frequency. These changes are a physiological consequence of pronounced inhibition of acid secretion, are benign and appear to be reversible.
Decreased gastric acidity due to any means including proton pump inhibitors, increases gastric counts of bacteria normally present in the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with proton pump inhibitors may lead to slightly increased risk of gastrointestinal infections such as Salmonella and Campylobacter and, in hospitalised patients, possibly also Clostridium difficile.
Clinical efficacy: In two studies with ranitidine as an active comparator, Nexium showed better effect in healing of gastric ulcers in patients using NSAIDs, including COX-2 selective NSAIDs.
In two studies with placebo as comparator, Nexium showed better effect in the prevention of gastric and duodenal ulcers in patients using NSAIDs (aged >60 and/or with previous ulcer), including COX-2 selective NSAIDs.
Paediatric population: In a study in paediatric GERD patients (<1 to 17 years of age) receiving long-term PPI treatment, 61% of the children developed minor degrees of ECL cell hyperplasia with no known clinical significance and with no development of atrophic gastritis or carcinoid tumours.
Pharmacokinetics: Esomeprazole is rapidly absorbed after oral dose, with peak plasma levels occurring after about 1 to 2 hours. It is acid labile and an enteric-coated formulation has been developed. Bioavailability of Esomeprazole increases with both dose and repeated administration to about 68 and 89% for doses of 20 and 40mg, respectively. Food delays and decreases the absorption of Esomeprazole, but this does not significantly change its effect on intragastric acidity. Esomeprazole is about 97% bound to plasma proteins. It is extensively metabolized in the liver by the Cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP2C19 to hydroxy and demethyl metabolites, which have no effect on gastric acid secretion. The remainder is metabolized by the Cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP3A4 to Esomeprazole Sulfone. With repeated dosage, there is a decrease in first-pass metabolism and systemic clearance, probably caused by an inhibition of the CYP2C19 isoenzyme.
However, there is no accumulation during once daily use. The plasma elimination half-life is about 1.3 hours. Almost 80% of an oral dose is eliminated as metabolites in the urine, the remainder in the feces.
MedsGo Class
Antacids, Antireflux Agents & Antiulcerants
Features
Brand
Nuloc-O
Full Details
Dosage Strength
20mg
Drug Ingredients
- Esomeprazole
Drug Packaging
Enteric-coated Tablet 30's
Generic Name
Esomeprazole Magnesium Trihydrate
Dosage Form
Enteric-Coated Tablet
Registration Number
DRP-5133-01
Drug Classification
Prescription Drug (RX)