Problems Associated with Nexium®
Nexium® is a commonly prescribed drug that is designed to treat acid reflux disease, chronic heartburn, and other conditions where the stomach produces too much acid. The drug shuts of the proton pumps (acid producers) in the stomach lining and thereby decreases the levels of stomach acid. While Nexium® (whose generic name is Esomeprazole Magnesium) is generally deemed safer than some of the other PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) such as its cousin Omeprazole (sold under the trade name of Prilosec®) patients have reported a number of problems with Nexium®.
Problems with Taking Nexium® Medication
Because Nexium® directly affects the amount of acid in the stomach, the most common problems associated with the drug are digestive issues such as increased gas and bloating, diarrhea or constipation. However, other drugs can rely on stomach acid to work properly. Therefore, Nexium® can adversely interact with a wide variety of drugs including heart medication, HIV medication, and other drugs prescribed for digestive issues.
Nexium® is designed as an extended release capsule and as such must be ingested intact. Nexium® users cannot crush or open these capsules or chew the granules inside without risking immediate release of the drug into their bodily system. Several options are available to people who cannot easily swallow pills including a Nexium® IV and a powdered version of Nexium® that's designed to be mixed with water and ingested.
Also, people with liver disease may not be able to use Nexium®. At the very least their doctor must do further testing before they are given a prescription to see if Nexium® will damage their already weakened organs. Many times lower dosages of Nexium® are prescribed with caution to liver disease patients.
Uses For Nexium®
Nexium® is most commonly prescribed as part of a PPI therapy regimen to:
- Treat GERD (often referred to as acid reflux disease).
- Reverse the effects of erosive esophagitis (caused by stomach acid eating away at the tender lining of the throat.)
- Reduce the risk of developing ulcers in the stomach and intestines while regularly using NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Nexium® is also used to combat Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) infections — bacterial infections that may lead to the development of ulcers. Other chronic conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, are also often treated with Nexium®.
Nexium® and Vision Problems
Many Nexium® users have reported visions problems while taking or shortly after taking the drug. These problems include blurred vision, eye pressure, and pain. Nexium® has even been related to cases of conjunctivitis (commonly referred to as pink eye). While these issues may be rare, AstraZeneca, manufacturers of the drug, have included warnings about these vision problems in the drug information pamphlet yet some doctors fail to recognize the correlation between vision problems and Nexium®.
Contact a Nexium® Attorney
If you have taken Nexium® and have suffered any adverse drug interactions or abnormal side effects including but not limited to abnormal vision problems, contact one of our Nexium® attorneys today for a confidential consultation at no cost to you.
