Nexium
Nexium is a medicine that reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes, helping to heal and prevent acid-related issues.
How to Use
Dosage
The typical dose is one 20 mg tablet once a day, but your doctor will tell you the exact dose and how long to take it.
Method
You can take Nexium with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not chew or crush it. If you have trouble swallowing, you can mix the tablet in a glass of non-carbonated water; stir until it breaks apart (the mixture won't be clear) and drink immediately. Rinse the glass with half a glass of water and drink the rinse. Do not chew or crush the small pellets.
Do not exceed the maximum daily dose your doctor prescribes, which can be up to 80 mg twice daily for some conditions, but for others, it may be 20 mg once daily.
Possible Side Effects
- •Headache
- •Stomach or intestinal problems like diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, or gas
- •Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- •Small, harmless lumps (benign polyps) in the stomach
- •Swelling in your feet and ankles
- •Sleep problems (insomnia)
- •Dizziness, tingling sensations, drowsiness, spinning sensation (vertigo)
- •Dry mouth
- •Changes in liver tests
- •Skin rash, hives (itchy red bumps), or itchy skin
- •Changes in blood tests (fewer white blood cells or platelets) which can cause weakness, bruising, or make you prone to infections
- •Low sodium levels in the blood, which can cause weakness, vomiting, and cramps
- •Feeling agitated, confused, or depressed
- •Changes in taste
- •Eye problems like blurred vision
- •Wheezing or shortness of breath (bronchospasm)
- •Inflammation of the mouth (stomatitis)
- •Thrush, a fungal infection that can affect the gut
- •Hair loss (alopecia)
- •Rash from sun exposure
- •Joint pain or muscle pain
- •General feeling of being unwell or lack of energy
- •Increased sweating
- •Aggression
- •Hallucinations (seeing, feeling, or hearing things that aren’t there)
- •Muscle weakness
- •Severe kidney problems
- •Enlargement of breasts in men
- •Inflammation in the intestine causing diarrhea
Important Warnings
- If you get a rash, especially on parts of your skin exposed to the sun, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you notice severe weight loss for no reason, have trouble swallowing, get stomach pain, vomit food or blood, or have black (bloody) stools.
- Taking Nexium for a long time (especially over a year) may slightly increase the risk of fractures in your hip, wrist, or spine. Tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis or take corticosteroids.
- Stop using Nexium and call your doctor right away if you get yellow skin, dark urine, and feel tired, as these can be signs of liver problems.
- Stop using Nexium and call your doctor right away if you get sudden wheezing, swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or body, rash, fainting, or trouble swallowing, as these can be signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Show 2 more warnings
- Stop using Nexium and seek medical help immediately if you develop severe skin reactions like blistering, peeling skin, widespread rash, fever, or swollen glands (lymph nodes).
- If you use Nexium for more than three months, your blood magnesium levels may drop. Low magnesium can cause tiredness, muscle twitches, confusion, seizures, dizziness, and a fast heart rate. Contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms.
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)