Esomeprazole Magnesium CAS:161973-10-0

Esomeprazole sold under the brand name Nexium among others, is a proton-pump inhibitor which reduces stomach acid. It is used in the treatment of dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

It decreases secretion of acid through inhibition of the H+/K+-ATPase in the parietal cells of the stomach. By inhibiting the functioning of this transporter, the drug prevents formation of stomach acid.Esomeprazole is the (S)-(−)-enantiomer of omeprazole. Esomeprazole is currently sold over the counter in the US and the UK.

Esomeprazole is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent cough. This medication helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus. Esomeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

If you are self-treating with this medication, over-the-counter esomeprazole products are used to treat frequent heartburn (occurring 2 or more days a week). Since it may take 1 to 4 days to have full effect, these products do not relieve heartburn right away.

The primary uses of esomeprazole are gastroesophageal reflux disease, treatment and maintenance of erosive esophagitis, treatment of duodenal ulcers caused by H. pylori, prevention of gastric ulcers in those on chronic NSAID therapy, and treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers associated with Crohn's disease.

Esomeprazole is available as delayed-release capsules in the United States or as delayed-release tablets in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada (containing esomeprazole magnesium) in strengths of 20 and 40 mg, as delayed-release capsules in the United States (containing esomeprazole strontium) in a 49.3 mg strength (delivering the equivalent of 40 mg of esomeprazole, and as esomeprazole sodium for intravenous injection/infusion. Oral esomeprazole preparations are enteric-coated, due to the rapid degradation of the drug in the acidic conditions of the stomach. This is achieved by formulating capsules using the multiple-unit pellet system.

Eesomeprazole magnesium is also combined with naproxen (under the brand name Vimovo) for the prevention of gastric ulcers associated with chronic NSAID therapy. Vimovo is available in 2 dosage strengths: 500/20 mg. & 375/20 mg. Pivotal clinical trials of Vimovo (at the 6 month end point) demonstrated an incidence of GI ulcer in 24% of patients on naproxen (alone) versus 7% on naproxen/esomeprazole.The FDA has added warnings to the label for Viomovo concerning acute interstitial nephritis, risk of kidney problems in some patients.