Esokap-D Capsule SR

Esokap-D Capsule SR belongs to a group of gastrointestinal agents used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and stomach ulcers. The stomach is usually protected from acid by a mucous layer. In some cases, due to excess acid production, the mucous layer gets eroded, which leads to complications like GERD, acidity, peptic ulcers and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Esokap-D Capsule SR is a combination of two drugs: Esomeprazole (proton pump inhibitor) and Domperidone (a dopamine antagonist). Esomeprazole works by blocking an enzyme called gastric proton pump, which is responsible for the production of acid. Domperidone works by increasing the movements and contractions of stomach muscles. Together, Esokap-D Capsule SR helps in treating acidity-related problems.

You are advised to take Esokap-D Capsule SR for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects, such as dry mouth, stomach pain, diarrhoea, headache, and flatulence. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.

Consult your doctor before taking Esokap-D Capsule SR if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Esokap-D Capsule SR may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Esokap-D Capsule SR should not be given to children as safety has not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol and Esokap-D Capsule SR as it could lead to increased drowsiness and elevate stomach acid production. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medicines to rule out any side effects.

Esokap-D Capsule SR is a combination of two drugs: Esomeprazole and Domperidone. Esokap-D Capsule SR is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and stomach ulcers. It may also be indicated in the treatment of nausea, vomiting, fullness of the stomach, belching, heavy bloating, heartburn, acidity, gas, upper abdominal pain, erosive oesophagitis, and swallowing problems. Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that blocks an enzyme called gastric proton pump, responsible for acid production. Domperidone is a dopamine antagonist which works by increasing the movements and contractions of stomach muscles. Together, Esokap-D Capsule SR helps in treating acidity-related problems.

• Dry mouth
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhoea
• Headache
• Flatulence

Do not take Esokap-D Capsule SR if you are allergic to any of its contents or other proton pump inhibitors (such as pantoprazole, rabeprazole, lansoprazole or omeprazole); if you are taking nelfinavir (used to treat HIV); if you have prolactinoma (tumour of the pituitary gland), blockage in intestines, bleeding in stomach or intestine, moderate to severe liver disease, low level of potassium or magnesium or high levels of magnesium, or heart problems. Inform your doctor before taking Esokap-D Capsule SR if you have severe kidney, heart or liver disease, or if you are due to have Chromogranin A blood test; if you have fungal infections, heart problems or HIV infection. Talk to your doctor if you experience weight loss, problems with swallowing, stomach pain, indigestion, vomit food or blood, or if you pass black stools while taking Esokap-D Capsule SR. On long-term treatment, Esokap-D Capsule SR may cause low magnesium levels, vitamin B12 levels, and might increase the risk of bone fractures; the doctor may advise regular tests for monitoring your condition. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Esokap-D Capsule SR may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Esokap-D Capsule SR should not be given to children as safety has not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Esokap-D Capsule SR as it could lead to increased drowsiness and can elevate the production of stomach acid. A prolonged intake of Esokap-D Capsule SR is linked with a greater risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea, so if you develop diarrhoea that does not improve, immediately consult a doctor. 

Drug-Drug Interactions: Inform the doctor if you are taking anti-HIV (atazanavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, ritonavir), blood thinner (clopidogrel, warfarin), anti-fungal (ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole), anti-cancer (erlotinib, toremifene, vandetanib, vincamine), benzodiazepine (diazepam), anti-convulsant (phenytoin), anti-platelet (Cilostazol), antacid (cisapride, dolasetron, prucalopride), immunosuppressant (tacrolimus), anti-TB (rifampicin), antibiotics (Erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, moxifloxacin, pentamidine), a drug used to treat hypothyroidism (levothyroxine), anti-rheumatoid (methotrexate), anti-depressant (citalopram, escitalopram), cardiac glycoside (digoxin), anti-malarial (halofantrine), anti-psychotic (haloperidol, pimozide, sertindole), anti-allergy ( mequitazin, mizolastine), anti-arrhythmic (amiodarone, dronedarone, quinidine, disopyramide, dofetilide, sotalol), anti-hypertensives (diltiazem, verapamil), St.John’s wort (herbal supplement used to treat depression).

Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform the doctor if you have Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD), liver disease, bone fractures, prolactinoma (tumour of the pituitary gland), blockage in the intestines, bleeding in the stomach or intestine, moderate to severe liver disease, low level of potassium/magnesium, high levels of magnesium, or heart problems.

• ATAZANAVIR
• SAQUINAVIR
• RITONAVIR
• NELFINAVIR
• WARFARIN
• CLOPIDOGREL
• KETOCONAZOLE
• ITRACONAZOLE
• VORICONAZOLE
• FLUCONAZOLE
• ERLOTINIB
• TOREMIFENE
• VANDETANIB
• VINCAMINE
• DIAZEPAM
• PHENYTOIN
• CILOSTAZOL
• CISAPRIDE
• DOLASETRON
• TACROLIMUS
• RIFAMPICIN
• ERYTHROMYCIN
• CLARITHROMYCIN
• MOXIFLOXACIN
• PENTAMIDINE
• TELITHROMYCIN
• LEVOTHYROXINE
• METHOTREXATE
• CITALOPRAM
• ESCITALOPRAM
• DIGOXIN
• HALOFANTRINE
• HALOPERIDOL
• PIMOZIDE
• SERTINDOLE
• MEQUITAZINE
• MIZOLASTINE
• AMIODARONE
• DRONEDARONE
• QUINIDINE
• DISOPYRAMIDE
• DOFETILIDE
• SOTALOL
• DILTIAZEM
• VERAMAPIL

• Eat smaller meals more often.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Alcohol intake leads to increased production of stomach acid, thereby increasing acidity and heartburn.
• Maintain a healthy weight by regular exercising.
• Avoid lying down after eating as it causes acid reflux.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes as it might increase the pressure on the abdomen leading to acid reflux.
• Practise relaxation techniques and avoid stress by doing yoga or meditation.
• Avoid foods such as high-fat food, spicy food, chocolates, citrus fruits, pineapple, tomato, onion, garlic, tea and soda. 
• Avoid sitting continuously as it may trigger acidity. Take a break of 5minutes every hour by doing brisk walking or stretching.

• Inform your doctor before taking Esokap-D Capsule SR if you are due to have Chromogranin A blood test.
• Esokap-D Capsule SR may cause changes in blood tests. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Esokap-D Capsule SR.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): It occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the food pipe (oesophagus). This backflow (acid reflux) irritates the food pipe and causes heartburn. Symptoms include heartburn, sour or bitter taste in the mouth, and difficulty swallowing.

Stomach/Peptic ulcers: They are sores that develop on the stomach and intestine lining due to erosion of the stomach's protective lining. Symptoms include nausea, appetite changes, bloody or dark stools, unexplained weight loss, vomiting, and indigestion.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: It is characterised by the formation of tumours in the upper part of the small intestine, which leads to excess acid production. Symptoms include bloating, burping, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.