The Side Effects of Nexium®
Nexium® (Esomeprazole Magnesium) is a drug most commonly prescribed to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD). It is a proton pump inhibitor and shuts off the cells in the stomach lining which produce acid. The drug is most commonly prescribed in 40mg capsule form and is generally deemed safe. However, the side effects of Nexium® can vary widely from mildly annoying symptoms including headache to life-threatening symptoms including swelling of the throat.
The symptoms of the side effects of Nexium®, which patients may exhibit, include:
- Headache
- Diarrhea/Constipation
- Nausea
- Gas/Bloating
- Stomach Pain
- Dry Mouth
- Hoarseness (which may become severe)
These may vary in intensity and frequency and not all Nexium® users will suffer all or any of them. However, the more severe side effects of Nexium® can be debilitating and cause extensive damage to a patient's well being. These include:
- Painful blisters or peeling of the skin
- Intensely itchy hives
- Painful or itchy rash
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, or extremities
Long Term Side Effects of Nexium® vs. Short Term
Because Nexium® is most commonly prescribed to treat chronic conditions (GERD, chronic heartburn, and erosive esophagitis) patients may experience a variety of side effects that last for a few hours, days, or for the duration of Nexium® treatment. Generally the mild side effects such as headache and dry mouth will persist only for a few days, with gastrointestinal distress (gas, bloating, and diarrhea) lasting longer in some cases.
However, the long-term side effects of Nexium® may be more severe and may even require hospitalization. Nexium® may cause skin reactions such severe hives, blisters, or even peeling of the skin. If left unchecked for any length of time, these skin reactions can cause extensive damage and require extended amounts of time and expensive treatment to heal.
Also, Nexium® may adversely interact with other drugs. In some cases Nexium® can increase the level of other drugs in the bloodstream while in others drugs can actually increase the amount of Nexium in the blood. Whereas Nexium® affects the level of acid in the stomach, it may nullify the effects of other drugs that require certain amounts of acid to work such as digoxin and ketoconazole among others.
Bone Fracture as a Side Effect of Nexium®
Six out of seven epidemiological studies of patients taking proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium® found that participants suffered more instances of bone fracture. The FDA now requires producers of proton pump inhibitors (including Nexium®) to warn patients taking, or those considering taking the drug that they may be at greater risk of wrist, hip, or even debilitating spine fracture.
Contact a Nexium® Attorney Today
If you've taken Nexium® or Esomeprazole Magnesium and have experienced any of these side effects, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact one our Nexium® attorneys today and they'll confidentially discuss your case with you free of charge. But don't wait — your right to compensation may be subject to time limitations. Contact us today for an evaluation of your case.
