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Problems Wth Nexium

Nexium is a prescription drug that came under fire in 2007 for its suspected link to heart problems. It has a range of side effects involving the gastrointestinal tract that may be as frustrating as the disease it is prescribed to treat.

  1. Identification

    • Nexium is a purple pill prescribed to treat acid reflux disease and heal damage to the esophagus caused by stomach acid. (PurplePill.com)

    Effects

    • Taking Nexium can result in headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, gas, and dry mouth. In more serious cases, it can cause stomach, throat, and chest pain (NexiumResearch.com).

    Considerations

    • Nexium may interact or work improperly if taken with other medications, such as any drug that requires a certain gastric pH because Nexium alters the behavior of stomach acid.

    Theories and Speculation

    • In 2007, ongoing research about Nexium suggested that use of the drug was connected to heart attacks, heart failure, and heart-related sudden death. The FDA was informed of the research and conducted its own investigation.

    Expert Insight

    • The FDA found that use of Nexium had no substantial connection to heart problems and that it did "not believe that healthcare providers or patients should change either their prescribing practices or their use of these products at this time" (FDA: Nexium).

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