Nexium Basics:
Nexium, the "little purple pill," has now been approved to treat children over age 1 year of age with acid reflux, which is also known as heartburn or more formally as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
What Nexium Is Used For:
Nexium is approved as a once-a-day, short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks) for GERD. It was previously approved for adults and then older children from the ages of 12 to 17 years old, but can now be given to younger kids too.
Nexium Facts:
Nexium is a proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and unlike some other acid reflux medications, it helps treat GERD by decreasing the amount of acid that is produced in the stomach.
Forms Of Nexium:
Nexium is available as a delayed-release capsule and oral suspension:
- Nexium 10mg, 20mg and 40mg delayed-release oral suspension
- Nexium 20mg and 40mg delayed-release capsules
The oral suspension form of Nexium are actually packets that must be mixed with a tablespoon of water, left for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken, and then stirred up and drank within 30 minutes.
Capsules can be swallowed whole or opened and sprinkled on applesauce.
More Nexium Facts:
- Nexium is also known as esomeprazole magnesium.
- The dose of Nexium is usually 10mg to 20mg for kids 1 to 11 years old and 20mg to 40mg for kids over age 12.
Nexium Side Effects:
The most common side effects for children taking Nexium are usually headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, gas, constipation, dry mouth and sleepiness.
What You Need To Know:
- Nexium, like Prevacid and Prilosec, other commonly used acid reflux medications, is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).
- Many experts think that all PPIs work equally well, but having the new dosage forms of Nexium available, including the oral suspension, may be helpful for children with acid reflux.
- Nexium is not approved for use in children under age 12 months of age.
Sources:
FDA News. FDA Approves Nexium for Use in Children Ages 1-11 Years. February 28, 2008.
Nexium Product Information. AstraZeneca 2007.
Choosing one PPI treatment over another. Dachs R - Am Fam Physician - 1-NOV-2007; 76(9): 1273-4