Esomeprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – ess-oh-MEP-ra-zole
Nexium – brand name
The Purple Pill

Nexium (Esomeprazole) is available with a doctor’s prescription and is commonly called by it’s brand name, Nexium.

Nexium belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors, or PPI’s. They are:

• Nexium – Esomeprazole
• Prilosec – Omeprazole
• Prevacid – Lansoprazole
• Protonix – Pantoprazole
• Aciphex – Rabeprazole

Chemically, Nexium is very similar to Prilosec (Omeprazole).

PPIs reduce the production of acid in the stomach and intestines by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. Decreasing stomach acid can help ulcers to heal, and reflux or heartburn symptoms to subside.

Nexium is used to treat GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), and erosive esophagitis, and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) also approved Nexium, in combination with two antibiotics, amoxicillin and clarithromycin, to treat helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, which is responsible for the majority of gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers. Nexium may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), pronounced – GAH-stroh-eh-SAW-fuh-JEE-ul REE-fluks duh-zeez, is the flow of the stomach’s contents back up into the esophagus. This happens when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) is weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t. This may cause esophagitis, also called esophageal reflux or reflux esophagitis.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis, pronounced – eh-saw-fuh-JY-tis, is an irritation of the esophagus, pronounced – eh-SAW-fuh-gus, which is usually caused by acid that flows up from the stomach. The esophagus, also spelled oesophagus and also called gullet, is the organ that connects the mouth to the stomach.