Esomeprazole🔊

What is Esomeprazole for?

Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor which suppresses the production of stomach acid by stopping the proton pump from working. It is therefore used for a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders including the following: 

• Helicobacter pylori eradication (in combination with antibiotics)
• Peptic ulcer 
• Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Prevention and treatment of NSAID-associated ulceration 
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

How to use it?

Esomeprazole can be taken by mouth. The adult doses for different uses are listed below: 

For H pylori eradication (in combination with antibiotics)

20 mg twice daily.  

For peptic ulcer 

20 mg twice daily for 7 days OR 40 mg once daily for 10 days.

For gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)

40 mg once daily for 4 weeks and may use for another 4 week if necessary. The maintenance dose is 20 mg once daily. 

For prevention of NSAID-associated ulceration 

20 or 40 mg once daily. 

For treatment of NSAID-associated ulceration 

20 mg once daily for 4-8 weeks 

For Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome 

Start with 40 mg twice daily. The usual daily dose is 80-160 mg in 2 divided doses.

What are the side effects of Esomeprazole

Common side effects of Esomeprazole include constipation, diarrhoea, dizziness and headache. Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors can lead to magnesium deficiency.

Where to find Esomeprazole in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, Esomeprazole is a prescription only medicine, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.