Neksium 20 mg Tablet belongs to the class of drugs known as Proton pump inhibitor, which reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. It treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach ulcers and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (overproduction of acid due to pancreatic tumour).

Neksium 20 mg Tablet helps in reducing the stomach acid by blocking the actions of an enzyme (H+/K+ ATPase or gastric proton pump). This proton pump lies in the cells of the stomach wall responsible for the release of gastric acid secretion damaging tissues in the food pipe, stomach, and duodenum. Neksium 20 mg Tablet prevents the release of stomach acid and relieves symptoms of food pipe lining inflammation (esophagitis), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn.

Take Neksium 20 mg Tablet 1-2 hours prior to food. You are advised to take Neksium 20 mg Tablet as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, Neksium 20 mg Tablet might cause common side effects like headache, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Consult the doctor if the side effects persist or worsen. 

Neksium 20 mg Tablet is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers but should be taken only after consulting a doctor. Tell your doctor if you have stomach or intestinal cancer, liver problems, are allergic to Neksium 20 mg Tablet , or will have an endoscopy in the future. Prolonged intake of Neksium 20 mg Tablet may cause a deficiency of Vitamin B12 and low levels of calcium, magnesium, and Vitamin D, leading to osteoporosis.

Neksium 20 mg Tablet is effective at healing erosive esophagitis (inflammation of food pipe), relieving symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Neksium 20 mg Tablet works by irreversibly blocking the proton pump gate (which secretes stomach acid). It can be prescribed to all age groups including special populations like the elderly, pregnant, lactating mothers, kidney, and liver disease patients. Usually, no dosage adjustment is required for these groups.

• Headache
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting

You should avoid taking Neksium 20 mg Tablet if you are allergic to Neksium 20 mg Tablet or proton pump inhibitors, have gastric cancer, liver disease, low magnesium level (osteoporosis), low vitamin B12, pregnant or planning for pregnancy, and breastfeeding mothers. Neksium 20 mg Tablet may interact with a blood thinner (warfarin), antifungal (ketoconazole), anti-HIV drug (atazanavir, nelfinavir), iron supplements, ampicillin antibiotic, anti-cancer drug (methotrexate). Let your doctor know if you are taking these medicines. Prolonged intake of Neksium 20 mg Tablet may cause lupus erythematosus (an inflammatory condition in which the immune system attacks its own tissues), Vitamin B12, and magnesium deficiency. Intake of Neksium 20 mg Tablet may mask the symptom of gastric cancer, so if you have any severe stomach pain or gastric bleeding (blood in mucous or stool) immediately consult the doctor. 

• Avoid intake of acid or heartburn triggering foods or drinks like onions, peppermint, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes and high-fat and spicy foods.
• Before going to sleep try to raise your bedhead so that your head and chest are higher than your feet. Do not use piles of pillows, instead, one raised block is fine. This will not allow the stomach acid to backflow through your food pipe.
• Avoid taking alcohol and smoking cigarette. Alcohol can raise the level of production of stomach acid leading to heartburn and acid reflux. On the other hand, nicotine smoking damages the valve (sphincter) which prevents backflow of the stomach acid back into the food pipe.
• Include high fibre containing foods, berries, cherries, leafy green veggies (kale, spinach) and black peppers in your meal. These foods are full of antioxidant, calcium and vitamin B 12 that can help cope with the long term effects of the medicine. Fermented dairy products like miso, sauerkraut, and kimchi contain probiotics which help in the prevention of excess stomach acid production. Cranberry juice can be beneficial in the peptic ulcer and H Pyroli infection.
• Avoid regular sitting continuously, as it can increase stomach acid production. Try to take a break of 5 minutes in 1 hour by brisk walking or stretching.