Nexium belongs to a class of medicines known as proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). It works by binding to, and inhibiting, the acid pumps of a particular type of cell which is found in the stomach. In doing so, it lowers the level of acidity in the stomach and helps to heal erosions in the esophagus or ulcers in the duodenum.¹

Nexium is an effective treatment for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but is particularly appropriate for those suffering from persistent, recurrent GERD which can cause disruptive, long term symptoms. Nexium has been demonstrated to provide enduring relief from the impact of GERD amongst patients.^5,6

Combining NSAID therapy with Nexium effectively resolves heartburn and acid regurgitation², as well as preventing duodenal and gastric ulcers in at-risk patients, and healing gastric ulcers associated with long-term use of NSAIDs, including COX-2 selective NSAIDs.^3,4

Nexium is approved in adults with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for:

• Treatment of erosive reflux esophagitis
• Long-term management of patients with healed esophagitis, to prevent relapse
• Symptomatic treatment of GERD without esophagitis

Nexium is approved in children aged 12-17 years with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for:

• Treatment of GERD
• Currently, use of Nexium for children aged 1-11 years GERD is approved in US, Sweden and Canada, with other nations expected to follow in 2008. Nexium is the first of the proton pump inhibitors (PPI) currently available for the treatment of pediatric GERD to have a specific formulation developed for children (10 mg sachet formulation of acid resistant pellets, which are dispersed in liquid).

In patients requiring continued NSAID therapy, Nexium is indicated in the EU for:

• Healing of gastric ulcers associated with NSAID therapy, including COX-2 selective NSAIDs.
• Prevention of gastric and duodenal ulcers associated with NSAID therapy, in patients at risk.

Nexium is also licensed in combination with appropriate antibiotics, for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori and is indicated for:

• Healing of H. pylori-associated duodenal ulcer
• Prevention of relapse of peptic ulcers in patients with H. pylori-associated ulcers

Nexium is supplied as tablets and capsules (US) which should be swallowed whole with liquid.

Nexium 40 mg powder for solution for injection/infusion is indicated as an alternative to oral therapy in patients when oral therapy is not appropriate.

Nexium is currently available in more than 100 markets including the US, Canada and major European countries.

1. Product Monograph, AstraZeneca
2. Hawkey CJ, Jones RH, Yeomans ND, Scheiman JM, Talley NJ, Goldstein JL, Ahlbom H, Nsdal J. Efficacy of esomeprazole for resolution of symptoms of heartburn and acid regurgitation in continuous users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2007;25(7):813-21.
3. Goldstein JL, Johanson JF, Suchower LJ, Brown KA. Healing of gastric ulcers with esomeprazole versus ranitidine in patients who continued to receive NSAID therapy: A randomized trial. American Journal of Gastroenterology 2005;100(12):2650-2657.
4. Scheiman JM, Yeomans ND, Talley NJ, Vakil N, Chan FK, Tulassay Z, Rainoldi JL, Szczepanski L, Ung KA, Kleczkowski D, Ahlbom H, Naesdal J, Hawkey C. Prevention of ulcers by esomeprazole in at-risk patients using non-selective NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors. American Journal of Gastroenterology 2006;101(4):701-10.
5. Kulig M, Leodolter A, Vieth M, Schulte E, Jaspersen D, Labenz, Lind T, Meyer-Sabellek W, Malfertheiner P, Stolte M, Willich SN. Quality of life in relation to symptoms in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease - an analysis based on the ProGERD initiative. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2003;18(8):767-76.
6. Lauritsen K, Junghard O, Eklund S, Wiklund I. The effect of esomeprazole 40 mg on healing, reflux symptoms and quality of life in patients with reflux oesophagitis. Gut 2002(Suppl III):A167