USES Used to decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

DIRECTIONS
Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Esomeprazole should be taken at least one hour before a meal. Follow your doctor's instructions. Do not break or chew the capsules. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in the body. If you have difficulty swallowing the capsules, one tablespoon of applesauce can be added to an empty bowl and the esomeprazole capsule can be opened, and the pellets inside the capsule carefully emptied onto the applesauce. The pellets should be mixed with the applesauce and then swallowed immediately. The applesauce should not be hot and should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. The pellets should not be chewed or crushed. Do not stop taking esomeprazole even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.

NEXIUM SIDE EFFECTS
If you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop taking esomeprazole and seek emergency medical attention. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take esomeprazole and talk to your doctor if you experience headache; diarrhea; nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain, or constipation; or dry mouth. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

PRECAUTIONS
Before taking esomeprazole, tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of liver disease. You may not be able to take esomeprazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring. Esomeprazole is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take esomeprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether esomeprazole passes into breast milk. Do not take esomeprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while taking esomeprazole, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

DRUG INTERACTIONS
Before taking esomeprazole, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral); or iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others). You may not be able to take esomeprazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with esomeprazole. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

MISSED DOSE Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.