Nexium Dosage

Nexium (Esomeprazole) decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach and is therefore used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and similar conditions. It can either be taken orally or administered through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube.

The typical starting Nexium dosage for adults is 20mg daily for 4 to 8 weeks. For children aged between 12 and 17, the recommended starting dose is 20 to 40mg daily for a maximum of 8 weeks. Patients infected with helicobacter pylori are advised to start off with 40mg daily, taken concomitantly with other medicines for 10 days. However, these are only guidelines. The right starting dosage for each individual patient will depend on the medical diagnosis, the acuteness of the condition, the age of the patient, their body requirements, medications taken concurrently, and the patient’s medical history.

Dosages in Adults for Common Conditions

• For the treatment of GERD symptoms, the initial adult dose is 20 mg once a day for 4 to 8 weeks.
• In cases where the patient’s GERD is severe enough to cause erosive esophagitis, the correct dosage is 20 to 40 mg once a day for four to eight weeks, followed up with 20 mg once daily to prevent the return of the esophageal erosions after healing has taken place.
• To prevent stomach ulcers associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), patients are advised to take 20 to 40mg of Nexium once daily for up to 6 months.

Dosages in Children for Common Conditions

• Children aged 12 to 17 with GERD symptoms are advised to take 20 to 40mg of Nexium once a day for a maximum of 8 weeks.
• The recommended Nexium dosage for GERD in children aged between 1 and 11 is 10mg once daily for up to eight weeks.
• In the case of esophageal erosions in children of this age, the dose is the same except for children weighing more than 44lb, in which case the recommended dose is 20mg once a day.
• To make it easier for a child to swallow his or her dosage, it is recommended to open the capsule and sprinkle the powder onto a spoonful of chocolate sauce.

Although Nexium is a useful drug, it must be handled extremely carefully. Patients should always check the correct dosage with their doctor and take the medication exactly as prescribed by their healthcare provider. They should not take the drug for longer than recommended. Nexium should be stored at room temperature away from moisture and heat.