Esomeprazole is used for:

Treating heartburn or esophagitis (inflammation of the food pipe) due to acid reflux disease (GERD). It may be used to prevent stomach ulcers associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It may also be used with other medicines to prevent ulcers of the small intestines.

Esomeprazole is an acid pump inhibitor (or proton pump inhibitor). It works by turning off some of the acid pumps in the stomach lining and reducing the amount of acid backing up into the esophagus (food pipe).

Do NOT use Esomeprazole if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Esomeprazole or to similar medications

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Esomeprazole :

Some medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have liver disease

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Esomeprazole. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole) or protease inhibitors (eg, indinavir) because the effectiveness may be decreased by Esomeprazole
• Cilostazol or digoxin, because the actions and side effects may be increased by Esomeprazole

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Esomeprazole may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Esomeprazole :

Use Esomeprazole as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Esomeprazole on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before eating.
• Swallow Esomeprazole whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, you may add 1 tablespoon of applesauce to an empty bowl. Open the capsule and empty the pellets onto the applesauce. Mix the pellets with the applesauce and swallow the mixture immediately. The applesauce used should not be hot and should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. Do not chew or crush the pellets. Do not store the mixture for future use.
• Antacids may be taken while using Esomeprazole.
• If you miss a dose of Esomeprazole , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Esomeprazole.

Important safety information:

• Notify your doctor if you have any symptoms of a bleeding ulcer, such as black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or experience throat pain, chest pain, or severe stomach pain.
• Esomeprazole is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Esomeprazole during pregnancy. This medicine is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Esomeprazole , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Esomeprazole :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Chest pain; constipation; cough; diarrhea; dry mouth; gas; headache; nausea; stomach pain; throat pain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest, throat, or severe stomach pain.