Safety of Nexium

Nexium is a brand name for the prescription medication esomeprazole magnesium, a type of drug known as a proton pump inhibitor. Despite its effectiveness in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Nexium poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Side effects

• The most common side effects of Nexium are not normally serious and pose no risk of long-term complications. Common side effects include headache, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain, constipation and dry mouth.

Time frame

• The most common side effects of Nexium are typically transient, diminishing over time once your body becomes acclimated to the drug, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Drug interactions

• Nexium and other proton pump inhibitor medications reduce the effectiveness of some antiretroviral drugs for HIV and AIDS, such as atazanavir and nelfinavir, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The antibiotics clarithromycin and amoxicillin increase your likelihood of developing side effects from Nexium.

Risks

• Nexium has the potential to cause a severe irritation of the stomach known as atrophic gastritis. If left untreated, gastritis can cause stomach ulcers and anemia and increase your risk for developing stomach cancer, warns the Merck Medical Manual.

Considerations

• Because esomeprazole is known to harm fetal development in laboratory animals, doctors rarely prescribe Nexium to pregnant women. Nexium also may not be safe for anyone with a history of liver disease, warns the Mayo Clinic.