For adults and children 1 month of age and older who have esophageal damage and are unable to take esomeprazole orally, esomeprazole injection is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which the backward flow of stomach acid causes heartburn and may cause injury to the oesophagus (the tube between the throat and stomach). Adults may also use esomeprazole injection to lower their risk of developing new ulcer bleeding following an endoscopy (an examination of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines). Esomeprazole belongs to the group of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors. It functions by reducing the production of stomach acid.

A doctor or nurse will administer esomeprazole injection intravenously (into a vein) using a powder that has been combined with liquid. Esomeprazole is often administered intravenously once per day to treat GERD. Esomeprazole injection is typically administered as a continuous intravenous infusion for 72 hours to stop rebleeding after an endoscopy.

Ask your doctor or chemist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before receiving esomeprazole injection,

• If you have any allergies to any medications, including esomeprazole, dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec, in Zegerid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (AcipHex), or any of the ingredients in esomeprazole injection, let your doctor and chemist know right away. Request a list of the ingredients from your chemist.
• If you use rilpivirine (Edurant, found in Cabenuva, Complera, Juluca, and Odefsey), let your doctor know. If you are on this drug, your doctor probably won’t recommend getting an esomeprazole injection.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about any other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are now taking or intend to take. Incorporate any of the following: antifungals like itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), some anticoagulants (often known as “blood thinners”) like warfarin (Jantoven), ketoconazole and voriconazole (Vfend); cilostazol; citalopram (Celexa); digoxin (Lanoxin); diuretics (‘water pills’); erlotinib (Tarceva); clopidogrel (Plavix); dasatinib (Sprycel); iron supplements; certain HIV drugs including saquinavir (Invirase), nelfinavir (Viracept), and atazanavir (Reyataz, in Evotaz); tacrolimus (Astagraf, Envarsus, Prograf), mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept, Myfortic), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and methotrexate (Trexall, Xatmep). Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
• Please let your doctor know if you are taking any herbal supplements, especially St. John’s wort. St. John’s wort should not be used while receiving an injection of esomeprazole, according to your doctor.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease, low levels of magnesium or calcium in your blood, osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become brittle and prone to breaking), or any other autoimmune disease where the immune system unintentionally attacks healthy cells in the body.
• If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your physician if you conceive while taking esomeprazole.
• If you are 70 years of age or older, discuss with your doctor the advantages and disadvantages of using esomeprazole injection.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

There may be adverse effects from esomeprazole injection. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Constipation
• Mouth ache
• Dizziness
• Near the injection site, there may be discomfort, bruising, itching, or redness

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms, or seek emergency medical attention:

• Blisters, skin that is peeling or bleeding; swelling glands, lesions on the lips, nose, mouth, or genitalia fever, shortness of breath flu-like symptoms, etc.
• Trouble breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, hives, rash, itching, or swelling of the tongue, lips, mouth, eyes, or throat
• Woozyness; rapid, erratic, or hammering heartbeat; muscular spasms; severe fatigue, dizziness, uncontrollable shaking of a body part, or seizures
• Very watery stools, fever, and severe diarrhoea
• Joint discomfort that is either new or intensifying, as well as a rash on the arms or cheeks that is sensitive to sunlight
• Blood in the urine, frequent or infrequent urination, joint discomfort, weariness, nausea, or a loss of appetite

People who take proton pump inhibitors, such as esomeprazole, may have an increased risk of fractures in the wrists, hips, or spine compared to those who do not. Proton pump inhibitors can cause fundic gland polyps, a form of growth on the stomach lining, in people who take them. The hazards are greatest for those who take one of these medications in large doses or for a year or more. Discuss the dangers of obtaining an injection of esomeprazole with your doctor.

Other negative effects of esomeprazole injection are possible. If you have any strange side effects while taking this medicine, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 if you suffer a serious side event.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. Prior to and throughout your therapy, your doctor might request specific laboratory testing.

Inform the lab staff and your doctor that you are receiving an esomeprazole injection prior to any laboratory test.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.