Esomeprazol Actavis
Esomeprazol Actavis contains esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
How to Use
Dosage
Usually 20 mg or 40 mg once daily, or 20 mg twice daily, depending on the condition being treated and your doctor's instructions.
Method
Swallow tablets whole with water. Do not chew or crush them. Can be taken with or without food, at any time of day.
The maximum daily dose is usually 80 mg twice daily for specific conditions, or 20 mg once daily for as-needed use.
Possible Side Effects
- •Headache
- •Stomach or gut issues: diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, gas
- •Feeling sick or vomiting
- •Benign polyps in the stomach
- •Swelling of feet and ankles
- •Sleep problems (insomnia)
- •Dizziness, tingling, sleepiness
- •Vertigo (a spinning sensation)
- •Dry mouth
- •Abnormal liver function test results
- •Rash, hives, and itchy skin
- •Hip, wrist, or spine fractures (with high doses and long-term use)
- •Changes in blood cell counts (e.g., fewer white blood cells or platelets), leading to weakness, bruising, or infections
- •Low sodium levels in the blood, causing weakness, nausea (vomiting), and cramps
- •Feeling agitated, confused, or depressed
- •Changes in taste
- •Vision problems, such as blurred vision
- •Sudden wheezing or shortness of breath (bronchospasm)
- •Inflammation of the mouth
- •Fungal infection (thrush) in the gut
- •Liver problems, including jaundice (yellow skin, dark urine, tiredness)
- •Hair loss (alopecia)
- •Skin rash when exposed to sunlight
- •Joint or muscle pain
- •General feeling of being unwell or lack of energy
- •Increased sweating
- •Severe changes in blood cells, including a lack of white blood cells (agranulocytosis)
- •Aggression
- •Seeing, feeling, or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
- •Severe liver problems leading to liver failure and brain inflammation
- •Sudden severe skin rash, blistering, or peeling skin. This may be accompanied by high fever and joint pain (erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms)
- •Muscle weakness
- •Severe kidney problems
- •Enlarged breasts in men
- •Low magnesium levels in the blood
- •Bowel inflammation (causing diarrhea)
- •Skin rash, possibly with joint pain
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to esomeprazole or similar medicines called proton pump inhibitors.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you have unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, stomach pain, vomit blood, or have black stools.
- Stop taking this medicine and seek immediate medical help if you develop a severe skin rash, blistering, peeling skin, or high fever.
- Using this medicine for over a year may slightly increase the risk of bone fractures (hip, wrist, spine).
- Do not give this medicine to children under 12 years of age.
Show 2 more warnings
- Inform your doctor if you have severe liver or kidney problems.
- If you take this medicine for more than three months, your magnesium levels in the blood might drop. Contact your doctor if you feel tired, have muscle twitches, confusion, seizures, dizziness, or a fast heartbeat.
Use in Elderly Patients
Suitable for older adults. For short-term use only. Consider the numerous potential interactions, especially with clopidogrel and (es)citalopram. Avoid long-term use. Long-term use carries an increased risk of adverse effects. Risk of hypomagnesemia in prolonged use. (updated 10.11.2025)