Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Nexium delayed-release (DR) oral capsule and Nexium DR oral liquid suspension for the following purposes:
With delayed release, the drug is released into your body after it passes through your stomach.
Nexium intravenous (IV) injection is used for the following purposes:
This article describes possible side effects of Nexium. To learn more about Nexium, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Nexium is a brand-name medication that comes as a DR oral capsule, DR oral liquid suspension (a type of liquid mixture), and IV injection. It’s available in a generic version called esomeprazole. This article describes possible side effects of Nexium.
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More common side effects of Nexium
Nexium may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of Nexium that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the form of Nexium prescribed.
More common side effects reported in people taking Nexium DR oral capsule and Nexium DR oral liquid suspension include:
- headache
- diarrhea
- nausea
- gas
- abdominal pain
More common side effects reported in people receiving Nexium IV injection include:
- headache
- gas
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- reactions where the drug is injected
Mild side effects of Nexium
Nexium may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Below are some of the mild side effects of Nexium that occurred during the drug’s studies. The mild side effects varied based on the form of Nexium prescribed.
Mild side effects reported in people taking Nexium DR oral capsule and Nexium DR oral liquid suspension include:
Mild side effects reported in people receiving Nexium IV injection include:
- headache
- gas
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- reactions where the drug is injected
- diarrhea
- dry mouth
- dizziness
- vertigo (spinning sensation)
- constipation
- itchiness
- bleeding from the duodenal ulcer (a sore in a part of your small intestine)
- fever
- cough
- mild allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Nexium in detail” section below.
Nexium may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information for Nexium DR oral capsule, Nexium DR oral liquid suspension, and Nexium IV injection.
Serious side effects of Nexium
Nexium may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Nexium, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Nexium.
Serious side effects of Nexium that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Nexium in detail” section below.
These side effects were reported in studies of Nexium DR oral capsule, Nexium DR oral liquid suspension, and Nexium IV injection.
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Side effects of Nexium in children
For children, doctors prescribe Nexium DR oral capsule and Nexium DR oral liquid suspension for the following purposes:
- treat erosive esophagitis in children ages 1 month to 17 years
- treat symptoms of GERD in children ages 1–17 years
Doctors prescribe Nexium IV injection to treat GERD with erosive esophagitis in children ages 1 month to 17 years.
In studies, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults:
These side effects were reported in studies of Nexium DR oral capsule, Nexium DR oral liquid suspension, and Nexium IV injection.
If you’d like to know more about side effects in children using Nexium, talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist.
Common questions about side effects of Nexium
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Nexium. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does Nexium cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases, Nexium may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with Nexium include:
- low vitamin B12 levels
- low blood magnesium levels
- stomach polyps
- broken bones
These side effects were reported in studies of Nexium DR oral capsule, Nexium DR oral liquid suspension, and Nexium IV injection.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of Nexium may last.
Is anxiety a side effect of Nexium?
No, anxiety isn’t known to be a side effect of Nexium. And it wasn’t reported in studies of Nexium DR oral capsule, Nexium DR oral liquid suspension, or Nexium IV injection.
If you experience anxiety while taking Nexium, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and discuss ways to manage it.
Are the side effects of the over-the-counter (OTC) version of Nexium similar to those seen with the prescription form of Nexium?
Yes, as both the prescription and OTC versions of Nexium contain the same active ingredient, esomeprazole. And they’re expected to have similar short-term and long-term side effects. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
If you have more questions about how the side effects of OTC and prescription versions of Nexium compare, talk with your doctor.
Side effects of Nexium in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Nexium.
Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)-related diarrhea
Proton pump inhibitor drugs, including Nexium, may cause severe diarrhea due to C. diff infection. This infection is usually mild, but in some cases, it can be severe. This side effect was reported in studies of Nexium DR oral capsule, Nexium DR oral liquid suspension, and Nexium IV injection.
C. diff is a type of bacterium. With a C. diff infection, there’s an overgrowth of the bacterium in your intestines. Symptoms may include:
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain or cramps
- nausea
- fever
- dehydration
- bloody stool
Certain factors can raise the risk of a C. diff infection with Nexium. These include being hospitalized, taking a higher dose of Nexium, or taking Nexium for a long time.
Ways to manage
If you experience any of the above symptoms or have diarrhea that isn’t going away, tell your doctor. They’ll likely order tests to determine whether you have a C. diff infection. They can also determine whether you should continue taking Nexium.
Broken bones
Nexium can increase your risk of osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine. This side effect was reported once the drug became available for use. But it’s not yet known how often this has happened or if Nexium was the cause.
The risk is higher if you take a higher dose of Nexium, take multiple doses per day, or take Nexium for a year or longer.
Ways to manage
To lower the risk of broken bones, doctors will likely prescribe the lowest effective dose of Nexium for the shortest amount of time.
If you have concerns about broken bones with Nexium, tell your doctor. They can discuss your personal risk of getting a broken bone and ways to reduce this risk.
Sudden kidney inflammation
Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (a type of sudden kidney inflammation) can occur during Nexium treatment. This side effect was reported once the drug became available for use. But it’s not yet known how often this has happened or if Nexium was the cause.
Sudden kidney inflammation can happen at any time during treatment. Symptoms may include:
- diarrhea
- feeling unwell
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- fever
- skin rash
- joint pain
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of kidney inflammation, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend that you stop Nexium treatment.
For some people, Nexium can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Nexium, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for Nexium
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before starting Nexium treatment.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take Nexium if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Nexium is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking Nexium, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Nexium and pregnancy
It’s not known whether Nexium should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Nexium and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether Nexium should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Nexium is not known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Nexium.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of Nexium. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my risk of side effects depend on my Nexium dosage?
- Is it safe to drink alcohol in moderation while taking Nexium?
- How do the side effects of Nexium compare with other drugs used to treat my condition?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
