Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Esomeprazole
open-in-new
<p>Esomeprazole, sold under the brand name Nexium [or Neksium] among others, is a medication which reduces <a href="/facts/Gastric_acid/btVCyhYH">stomach acid</a>. It is used to treat <a href="/facts/Gastroesophageal_reflux_disease/8YhncnDz">gastroesophageal reflux disease</a>, <a href="/facts/Peptic_ulcer/peMGnYCd">peptic ulcer disease</a>, and <a href="/facts/Zollinger%25E2%2580%2593Ellison_syndrome/qrI4NkPa">Zollinger–Ellison syndrome</a>. Its effectiveness is similar to that of other <a href="/facts/Proton_pump_inhibitors/JIpwabbk">proton pump inhibitors</a> (PPIs). It is taken by mouth or <a href="/facts/Intravenous/AwwuD3Nu">injection into a vein</a>. </p><p>Common side effects include headache, constipation, dry mouth, and abdominal pain. Serious side effects may include <a href="/facts/Angioedema/Wpc7qnTK">angioedema</a>, <a href="/facts/Clostridioides_difficile_infection/kYFGjVKf">Clostridioides difficile infection</a>, and <a href="/facts/Pneumonia/Jw0KquTA">pneumonia</a>. Use in <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a> appears to be safe, while safety during <a href="/facts/Breastfeeding/cdWXyYDX">breastfeeding</a> is unclear. Esomeprazole is the (<i>S</i>)-(−)-<a href="/facts/Enantiomer/wjPv5J3y">enantiomer</a> (or less specifically the S-<a href="/facts/Isomer/PXlvDVdg">isomer</a>) of <a href="/facts/Omeprazole/rJNAvWSR">omeprazole</a>. It works by blocking <a href="/facts/Hydrogen_potassium_ATPase/8fbvtrRP">H+/K+-ATPase</a> in the <a href="/facts/Parietal_cell/jS1nXJnw">parietal cells</a> of the stomach. </p><p>It was patented in 1993 and approved for medical use in 2000. It is available as a <a href="/facts/Generic_medication/IF6AXDVX">generic medication</a> and sold <a href="/facts/Over_the_counter/QI3FcgRf">over the counter</a> in several countries. In 2022, it was the 122nd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 5 million prescriptions. In Australia, it was one of the top 10 most prescribed medications between 2017 and 2023. It is also available in lower dose formulations without a prescription in the United States, the United Kingdom as well as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. </p>