Nexium Precautions

Nexium is the brand name for the prescription medication esomeprazole magnesium. Doctors commonly prescribe Nexium to treat digestive ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease; however, some precautions must be taken when using Nexium.

Features

Because Nexium is removed from your body by your liver, patients with moderate or severe liver failure should not take more than 25 mg of Nexium per day, cautions RxList.

Drug Interactions

Nexium has the potential to make antiretroviral drugs used to slow the progression of HIV, such as atazanavir and nelfinavir, less effective. When taken with blood-thinning drugs like warfarin, there is a risk of developing sudden or severe bleeding, warns RxList.

Special Populations

Nexium is not approved for use in children aged less than 1 year. Because Nexium is known to cause birth defects in laboratory animals, doctors rarely prescribe the drug for use in pregnant women.

Warning

Infrequently, patients develop serious allergic reactions to Nexium. If you develop shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of the face or extremities, wheezing or skin rashes, seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of Overdose

If you develop symptoms of confusion, drowsiness, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, flushing, headaches and dry mouth, you may have taken too much Nexium. Seek emergency medical attention.

References

• RxList: Nexium
• Mayo Clinic: Nexium