Can You Take Nexium After Taking Metronidazole?

Nexium (esomeprazole) and metronidazole are medications from different classes or types of drugs. Of the two medications, Nexium has found fame due to an intensive advertising campaign. Used for heartburn relief, Nexium also assists in healing the esophagus following reflux of gastric acids. Metronidazole is an antibiotic that may be used as combination therapy with other drugs in the same class for peptic ulcers, a disease that originates in the small intestine or the stomach lining.

Drug Information

• Nexium falls under a class of drugs called Proton Pump Inhibitors. This action blocks the production of acid by the stomach. Drugs that are similar to Nexium are Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), and Aciphex (rabeprazole).

  Metronidazole is a generic antibacterial and anti-parasitic medication, which is usually prescribed to eradicate bacteria and parasites. This medication comes in three forms: injection, tablet or topical cream. Each form of this drug is designed to treat certain symptoms. With issues related to the gastrointestinal system, the tablet form is used.

  The tablet form of metronidazole is used as combination or cocktail therapy with omeprazole and clarithromycin for an infection called Helicobacter pylori, which is a bacteria that resides in the stomach. The bacteria erodes the mucus lining that protects the stomach from acids within that are needed to digest food.

  There are no contraindications for taking Nexium after using metronidazole so, on the cover, there does not appear to be a problem using Nexium. However, as with all medications, medical advice from a physician who understands your ailments trumps most written material.