are the over-the-counter meds as effective as nexium (esomeprazole)?

Question

I've been on Nexium (esomeprazole) 40mg and now omeprazole (2 * 20mg p/d) for several years. Is this safe? Is it ok to buy over-the-counter and use it (4*10mg)

Answer 1

Not quite: Over-the-counter medications work the same as Nexium (esomeprazole) for the most part if they are Prilosec or prevacid. The only difference is the dose is about one quarter of that a prescription medication so you will not get as much acid production.

Answer 2

PPI: Nexium (esomeprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor. It is a derivative of prilosec. It works by stopping the production of acid in the stomach. It is used for heart burn and stomach ulcers.

Answer 3

For heartburn/reflux: Nexium (esomeprazole) is a drug used for acid reflux and esophageal inflammation from reflux. It blocks acid pumps in the stomach, reducing the amount of acid secreted. Most common side effect is headache. It is more potent than the family of reflux drugs called h2 blockers like zantac/axid/tagamet. Your doc can determine if you have reflux, how bad, & best med choice besides dietary changes & weight loss.

Answer 4

Acid Reduction: Nexium is one of the many available drugs to decrease stomach acid production. All are similair, prilosec, prevacid, aciphex (rabeprazole). Some people find one seems to work better than another. Try the cheapest first and go from there. Nexium is actually one of the less expensive now. The most important thing is if you have continued symptoms requiring this kind of medicine have your doctor check it out.

Answer 5

Try something else: Get investigated for whatever symptom you're having to make sure you actually have reflux. If you do or already had investigation, may simply need a different med in that class.

Answer 6

Maybe not acid: Nexium (esomeprazole) is a ppi, potent minimizer of acid production in the stomach. Several other ppis on market-all roughly equivalent, can take days some respond better to one than another. Make sure the problem is truly acid related, or not. Other issues including gall bladder, pancreas, celiac sprue, cardiac can cause similar symptoms. Don't know your history, meds, risk factors, etc. Follow up with doc.

Answer 7

Check with your GI!: Your gastroenterologist should determine that. Chronic ppi use has been linked to gastric lymphoma and should only be used when clearly indicated and expertly approved.

Answer 8

Depends: Some people should be on discrete courses of Nexium, and some people need it long term. It really depends on what the diagnosis is that you are trying to treat. When it is needed, it is OK to take it long term, with medical supervision to watch out for side effects. Good night.

Answer 9

Avoid carbonated : Drinks, drink lots of water and eat two medium sized red skinned apples daily - one mid morning and one mid evening. When heart burn occurs, immediately drink 16 ounces of water!

Answer 10

Possibly: Prolonged use of Nexium (esomeprazole) and other drugs in its class can reduce absorption of calcium and some vitamins. It has also been implicated in worsening osteoporosis.

Answer 11

Maybe: Generally very safe but increased rates of fractures (possible calcium problem), infections and low magnesium has been reported. Best to take only if needed and then at the lowest dose possible.

are the over-the-counter meds as effective as nexium (esomeprazole)?

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