Feedback on Nexium Side Effects and Usage, page 24
Nexium Side Effects
If you’ve used Nexium, please help others by sharing your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: How long till nexium starts working?
Date: 11/11/2008
I’ve been on nexium 3 days now…I was told I have ulcers n acid reflux…I have pain in between my chest, acid feels up my throat n mouth. Been like this 2 weeks, how long till nexium works?
Rosie
AskDocWeb: Proton pump inhibitors like Nexium have the longest delay in working because they block the final step of acid secretion in the stomach. Healing of an ulcer with the help of Nexium may take up to 8 weeks. In the mean time there are other acid reflux medications that may be taken while on Nexium. The most popular categories of acid reflux medication are as follows:
1. Non-absorbable antacids such as Maalox or Mylanta neutralize stomach acid but are not absorbed by the stomach or intestine. These are the mildest form of acid reflux medication and usually have few side effects but may cause diarrhea and may reduce the body’s ability to absorb calcium.
2. Absorbable antacids such as Alka-Seltzer, Tums, Rolaids, and baking soda, are a little more effective as an acid reflux medication than non-absorbable antacids. Since they are calcium-based and absorbable these antacids do not prevent calcium absorption but they can cause constipation. In rare cases, long-term use of calcium carbonate as an acid reflux medication has caused elevated levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can lead to kidney failure.
3. H2 blockers or stomach acid inhibitors such as Tagamet, Pepcid, Zantac, Axid, and others, slow down the production of stomach acid by blocking one important producer of acid called “histamine2.” These stomach acid inhibitors may take up to 90 minutes to work and may interfere with other medications. Their side effects include headache, diarrhea, dizziness, or rash. Long-term use of H2 blockers has been shown to possibly cause mental decline and dementia later in life.
Subj: Irregular heart beat, or arrhythmia
Date: 11/13/2008
I have been on nexuium for 4 months now, cos my gastro specialist said I had lumps of scar tissue in my throat, esophogus, and stomach with having gerd real bad. I had been taking prilosec for 8 years with no problems, but I started choking on the foods I was eating, and then had to go nexium, and in about 2 weeks I was healing so well, thank god, and my doctors said that hadn’t I been put on this new drug (to me it was anyway) cos my insurance company wouldn’t pay for it in the beginning, but my dr. Said pay for it now, or next year he will be racking up all kinds of medical bills, and to beat a gastro hose put inside my stomach, and I would have to be fed like this for rest of my life with that pharma meal like that stuff in a can you can drink. But anyway, my life would have been shortened by at least 15 years, and I am a person who loves to travel and eat at different restaurants when we can. The only problem I am having is that in about a week, I felt an irregular heart beat, or arrhythmia. Although my doc said there might be someone flutters, he called them, but they should go away, and there just minor side effects, just like the diarrhea I had for about 3 days real bad, that went away, but I was still having more radical heart rhythm, and when I stop taking the nexium, they go away.
I am in between a rock and a hard stone. I need the nexium to live, literally live to continue healing those old scar tissues, cos my stomach went right back to flooding me with so much acid, and it actually would come up on me when I was eating. My dr. Says keep taking them, but as soon as I do, my heart starts up again with 24 hour jumping, even fibrilating, and I can’t control, so he gave me xanax to help calm me down, because my heart test cardiogram came back fine, I guess it did, because I had to stop taking the nexium and some other meds for all the tests, and nothing strange came back on the heart. They said maybe I have a blocked artery, and I said no, cos 2 years ago I had that angioplatigram done and a clean bill of health there, so he put me on xanax, so I now walk around like a zombie. Can you help me! Thanks for your time, I so much need a little input, and who better than you! Truly,
Mike
AskDocWeb: Sorry Mike, our focus here is dealing with questions about side effects. An irregular heartbeat is a known possible side effect of Nexium.
Subj: Timing of taking pill
Date: 11/14/2008
My doctor says to take the pill between 1/2 and 1 hour before I eat. He said it is important to eat within an hour of taking the pill. My phamisist and info I read says take pill at least an hour before you eat, and no reference of need to eat. I called company and they are not aware of anything that says you need to eat certain time after dosage, just make sure you wait an hour. Which is correct?
Bill
AskDocWeb: According to the 2008 Physician’s Desk Reference, Nexium should be taken at least one hour before meals.
Subj: Nexium alternatives?
Date: 11/22/2008
I have been taking 40 MG Nexium for about 4 years. I know it causes gas and I had an esophigal wrap in 2000, so gas is a permanent fixture in my life. What is the length of time one can take Nexium for acid reflex. I recently had a esophigal scope and CAT scan done because I suffer from an acid stomach which turned out ok. However, they did find a 1 Centemeter Cyst on my pancrease and will do another cat scan in 6 months. I would like to know if there is another medication that can be taken instead of Nexium.
Cheryl
AskDocWeb: There are several alternatives including Aciphex, Axid, Pepcid, Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, Tagamet, Zantac, and Zegerid. Nexium is a short-term treatment, typically 4 to 8 weeks, but an additional 4 to 8 weeks is allowed in come cases. We know of no studies that tested this drug for longer than 12 months.
Subj: Does Nexium cause IBS?
Date: 11/24/2008
I have been taking nexium for 5 years now. In the last 8 months, I have developed IBS. It seems that everything I eat is turning into gas. Can this be caused by the nexium?
Jane
AskDocWeb: Nexium doesn’t cause IBS but gas (flatulence) is one of the side effects.
Subj: Ability to build new bone
Date: 11/25/2008
I have been taking Nexium several years now. It has worked as intended (i.e., stopped most episodes of acid reflux). However, I am growing increasingly concerned that it is hindering the absorption of calcium and actually be setting up for osteoperosis and other problems related to an inability to absorb minerals. I heard one doctor say that he believed acid inhibitors might permanently shut-down the body ability to build new bone. Thoughts on this are most appreciated. Regards,
Richard
AskDocWeb: According to the 2008 Physician’s Desk Reference (page 628, Indications and Usage) “controlled studies of Nexium do not extend beyond 6 months.” In our opinion, “PPI osteoporosis” is a subject that needs more study in order to identify the consequences of long-term use beyond 6 months.
Subj: Not taking Nexium and bowel problems reduced
Date: 11/27/2008
I have been on Nexium and other similar medicines for many years (nexium for about 2 years). I was on 40mg but have cut down to 20mg as I do not like taking such a high dosage of medicine. This follows a visit to a health and diet specialist because of my IBS that I have which was getting bad. She informed me that taking this medicine every day can cause IBS symptons or make them worst as this type of medicine reduces the acid in the stomach so much the food does not digest as it normally should, and therefore passes through to the bowel without the acid havin broken down the food – therefore causing the bowel problems. This seems to make sense and this week I have not taken the nexium and the bowel problems have definitely reduced – coincedence? I expect not!? The acid is back though and very uncomfortable at times – not sure what to do! Help,
Michael
AskDocWeb: Please do not stop taking any prescription medication without first checking with your doctor. Remember that the focus here is on side effects, not medical advice.
Subj: Stomach pain and indigestion
Date: 12/2/2008
I was told by my doctor that I have acid problem. I took Aciphex, prevacid that did not stop my acid stomack. Finally I took Nexium and have been taking for few months. Initially it was good but then I started getting stomack pain. I stopped taking Nexium and feeling better. I beleve this medicine caused all my stomack pain and indigestions.
Mike
Subj: Should I see a specialist?
Date: 12/4/2008
I used Nexium for about two years. I had pain in my lower stomach, the doctor said to stop taking it about one month ago. Since then, after I eat my stomach gurgles very loud and I have very bad gas for about four hours. Did the Nexium mess up my digestive system and now I do not have enough acid in my stomach? Should I see a specialist for tests? My doctor has never suggested any tests, I am worried.
Lee
AskDocWeb: According to the Physician’s Desk Reference (2008), Nexium is only recommended for use up to 6 months. We would see a specialist if symptoms persisted beyond that.
Subj: Vomiting
Date: 12/11/2008
I started nexium a few weeks ago and the last couple days I have had vomiting or dry heaving episodes. As the days progress I walk around always feeling like I have a lump in my throat and I need to vomit. I stopped the medicine today….Can this medicine cause vomiting?
Eric
AskDocWeb: Yes, vomiting is one of the possible side effects of Nexium.
Subj: Tinnitus
Date: 12/11/2008
I got severe tinnitus after 6 weeks of Nexium, there is definitely a connection. I discontinued a few days ago and I’m hoping to see the volume decrease at least – it has been absolutely horrible for 2 weeks. Has anyone had symptoms decrease or disappear after discontinuing Nexium?
Kevin
Subj: Pain in my elbows and knees
Date: 12/14/2008
I have been taking nexium for about four years know (40 mg twice a day).I have recently been having pain in my elbows and knees. Can this be a side effect of long term nexium use. It really helps my gerd but the aching seems to be getting worse.
Bill
AskDocWeb: Since it is getting worse, you should report it to your doctor. As far as we know, the manufacturer has not published a list of the long-term side effects of taking Nexium. Since Nexium is a short-term treatment we imagine that there is little motivation for them to do that.
Subj: Lost libido
Date: 12/14/2008
Like some of your correspondents, I have also lost libido after taking Nexium. I am male, 50, and took Nexium for 50 days.
Nick
Subj: Stomach pain
Date: 12/16/2008
I was given nexiun for acid reflux. I went to ER for stomach pain upper part I thought that I was having a heart attack. I was given nexiun. I just started taking it today. Lets hope this will rid me of the stomach pain. Wish me luck.
Luis
AskDocWeb: We do wish you luck, and let us know how you come out. Read more feedback about Nexium.
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