Ezorain 40mg Capsules

Esomeprazole magnesium lowers the amount of acid your stomach makes. It is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). In capsules, it comes as tiny enteric-coated pellets that protect the medicine from stomach acid until it is absorbed.

It may be used to:

• relieve heartburn, acid reflux and indigestion
• treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and help an inflamed food pipe heal
• treat or prevent stomach ulcers, including those linked to NSAID painkillers
• clear H. pylori infection, together with antibiotics
• treat rare conditions where the stomach makes too much acid

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, usually once a day in the morning.

• You can take it with or without food.
• Swallow capsules whole with a glass of still water. Do not chew or crush the pellets.
• If swallowing is hard, you can open the capsule, mix the pellets with a little still water and drink it straight away.
• It may take a few days to start working and up to 4 weeks for the full effect.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next dose is due within 12 hours. Never take two doses together.
• After long use, talk to your doctor before stopping, as symptoms can come back.

Common side effects include:

• headache
• feeling sick
• diarrhoea or constipation
• tummy pain or wind

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• yellow skin or eyes, pale poo or dark pee
• severe or ongoing diarrhoea
• joint pain with a red rash, especially on sun-exposed skin
• swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing (emergency)

Long-term use can lower magnesium or vitamin B12 levels and may increase the risk of bone fractures.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have reacted badly to esomeprazole or another PPI
• have liver problems
• have low magnesium or weak bones
• are due to have an endoscopy
• take other medicines or St John's wort
• are pregnant, trying for a baby or breastfeeding

See a doctor first if you have weight loss, trouble swallowing, vomiting blood, or black or bloody poo.

Keep in the original pack at room temperature, away from heat and moisture, and out of the reach of children.

Pregnancy: not usually recommended, as there is limited safety information; your doctor may suggest another medicine. Ask your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.

Hidden problems: it can mask signs of more serious stomach conditions. Tell your doctor about new or changing symptoms.

Alcohol: does not affect the medicine but can make acid symptoms worse.