Why are you suppose to take nexium (esomeprazole) in the morning and an hour before a meal? why can't you take it with a meal?

Won't stop pumping : Meal intake will cause certain cells in your stomach to start pumping acid. Taking Nexium (esomeprazole) with meals won't give your body enough time to absorb it. Once the pump starts its hard to make it stop (inhibit) it which defeats the purpose of proton pump inhibitors. It may still work, but not as effectively. Taking it 2 hours after meals near bedtime is another option if am dosing is inconvenient.

Nexium: Nexium works by shutting off proton pumps. Return pumps turn on to produce acid when the food comes into the stomach. Therefore, the Nexium needs to be in the system before the food gets there, to shut the proton pumps down. Otherwise, acid will be produced once the food arrives in the stomach. That's why you take the Nexium before the meal. Hope that helps.