Zosa Junior Granules

Esomeprazole Delayed Release Granules for Oral Suspension

Each sachet contains :

Esomeprazole Magnesium Trihydrate IP

equivalent to Esomeprazole 10 mg

(as enteric coated granules)

Colour : Sunset Yellow FCF

Delayed release granules for oral suspension 10 mg

 4.1Therapeutic Indication

• Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
• Risk Reduction of NSAID Associated Gastric Ulcer.
• H. Pylori Eradication to Reduce the Risk of Duodenal Ulcer Recurrence
• Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions Including Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

4.2 Posology & Method of Administration

Children 1 – 11 years with a bodyweight of ≥10 kg

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Treatment of endoscopically proven erosive reflux esophagitis

• Weight ≥10 - <20 kg: 10 mg once daily for 8 weeks.
• Weight ≥20 kg: 10 mg or 20 mg once daily for 8 weeks

Symptomatic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

• 10 mg once daily for up to 8 weeks.

Doses over 1 mg/kg/day have not been studied

Children over 4 years of age

Treatment of duodenal ulcer caused by Helicobacter pylori

When selecting appropriate combination therapy, consideration should be given to official national, regional and local guidance regarding bacterial resistance, duration of treatment (most commonly 7 days but sometimes up to 14 days), and appropriate use of antibacterial agents. The treatment should be supervised by a specialist.

The posology recommendation is:

Children below the age of 1 year

The experience of treatment with esomeprazole in infants < 1 year is limited and treatment is therefore not recommended.

Special populations

Renal impairment

Dose adjustment is not required in patients with impaired renal function. Due to limited experience in patients with severe renal insufficiency, such patients should be treated with caution.

Hepatic impairment

Dose adjustment is not required in patients with mild to moderate liver impairment. For patients ≥12 years with severe liver impairment, a maximum dose of 20 mg Esomeprazole should not be exceeded. For children 1-11 years with severe liver impairment, a maximum dose of 10 mg should not be exceeded.

Elderly

Dose adjustment is not required in the elderly

Method of administration

For a 10 mg dose empty the contents of a 10 mg sachet into a glass containing 15 ml water. For a 20 mg dose empty the contents of two 10 mg sachets into a glass containing 30 ml water. Do not use carbonated water. Stir the contents until the granulate has been dispersed and leave for a few minutes to thicken. Stir again and drink within 30 minutes. The granules must not be chewed or crushed. Rinse with 15 ml water to obtain all granules.

• For a 10 mg dose, add the contents of a 10 mg sachet into 15 ml of water.
• For a 20 mg dose add the contents of two 10 mg sachets into 30 ml of water.
• Stir.
• Leave for a few minutes to thicken.
• Stir again.
• Draw the suspension into a syringe.
• Inject through the enteric tube, French size 6 or larger, into the stomach within 30 minutes after reconstitution.
• Refill the syringe with 15 ml water for a 10 mg dose and 30 ml for a 20 mg dose.
• Shake and flush any remaining contents from the enteric tube into the stomach.
• Any unused suspension should be discarded.

4.3 Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance, to substituted benzimidazoles or to any of the excipients listed in the formulation.
• should not be used concomitantly with nelfinavir

4.4 Warning & Precautions

In the presence of any alarm symptom (e.g. significant unintentional weight loss, recurrent vomiting, dysphagia, haematemesis or melaena) and when gastric ulcer is suspected or present, malignancy should be excluded, as treatment with Zosa Junior may alleviate symptoms and delay diagnosis.

Long term use

Patients on long-term treatment (particularly those treated for more than a year) should be kept under regular surveillance. Long-term treatment is indicated in adults and adolescents (12 years and older).

On demand treatment

Patients on on-demand treatment should be instructed to contact their physician if their symptoms change in character. On demand treatment has not been investigated in children and is therefore not recommended in this patient group.

Helicobacter Pylori eradication

When prescribing esomeprazole for eradication of Helicobacter pylori possible drug interactions for all components in the triple therapy should be considered. Clarithromycin is a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 and hence contraindications and interactions for clartithromycin should be considered when triple therapy is used in patients concurrently taking other drugs metabolised via CYP3A4, such as cisapride.

Gastrointestinal infections

Treatment with proton pump inhibitors may lead to a slightly increased risk of gastrointestinal infections such as Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Absorption of vitamin B12

Esomeprazole, as all acid-blocking medicines, may reduce the absorption of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) due to hypo or achlorhydria. This should be considered in patients with reduced body stores or risk factors for reduced vitamin B12 absorption on long-term therapy.

Hypomagnesaemia

Severe hypomagnesaemia has been reported in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like esomeprazole for at least three months, and in most cases for a year. Serious manifestations of hypomagnesaemia such as fatigue, tetany, delirium, convulsions, dizziness and ventricular arrhythmia can occur but they may begin insidiously and be overlooked. In most affected patients, hypomagnesaemia improved after magnesium replacement and discontinuation of the PPI. For patients expected to be on prolonged treatment or who take PPIs with digoxin or medicinal products that may cause hypomagnesaemia (e.g. diuretics), healthcare professionals should consider measuring magnesium levels before starting PPI treatment and periodically during treatment.

Risk of fractures

Proton pump inhibitors, especially if used in high doses and over long durations (>1 year), may modestly increase the risk of hip, wrist and spine fracture, predominantly in the elderly or in presence of other recognised risk factors. Observational studies suggest that proton pump inhibitors may increase the overall risk of fracture by 10-40%. Some of this increase may be due to other risk factors. Patients at risk of osteoporosis should receive care according to current clinical guidelines and they should have an adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE)

Proton pump inhibitors are associated with very infrequent cases of SCLE. If lesions occur, especially in sun-exposed areas of the skin, and if accompanied by ar thralgia, the patient should seek medical help promptly and the health care professional should consider stopping Zosa Junior. SCLE after previous treatment with a proton pump inhibitor may increase the risk of SCLE with other proton pump inhibitors.

Combination with other medicinal products

Co-administration of esomeprazole with atazanavir is not recommended. If the combination of atazanavir with a proton pump inhibitor is judged unavoidable, close clinical monitoring is recommended in combination with an increase in the dose of atazanavir to 400 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir; esomeprazole 20 mg should not be exceeded. Esomeprazole is a CYP2C19 inhibitor. When starting or ending treatment with esomeprazole, the potential for interactions with medicinal products metabolised through CYP2C19 should be considered. An interaction is observed between clopidogrel and esomeprazole. The clinical relevance of this interaction is uncertain. As a precaution, concomitant use of esomeprazole and clopidogrel should be discouraged.

When prescribing esomeprazole for on demand therapy, the implications for interactions with other pharmaceuticals, due to fluctuating plasma concentrations of esomeprazole should be considered.

Serious cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs)

Serious cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) such as erythema multiforme (EM), StevensJohnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), which can be life-threatening, have been reported very rarely in association with esomeprazole treatment. Patients should be advised of the signs and symptoms of the severe skin reaction EM/SJS/TEN/DRESS and should seek medical advice from their physician immediately when observing any indicative signs or symptoms. Esomeprazole should be discontinued immediately upon signs and symptoms of severe skin reactions and additional medical care/close monitoring should be provided as needed. Rechallenge should not be undertaken in patients with EM/SJS/TEN/DRESS.

Interference with laboratory tests

Increased Chromogranin A (CgA) level may interfere with investigations for neuroendocrine tumours. To avoid this interference, esomeprazole treatment should be stopped for at least 5 days before CgA measurements

4.5 Drug Interactions

Effects of esomeprazole on the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products

Protease inhibitors

Omeprazole has been reported to interact with some protease inhibitors. The clinical importance and the mechanisms behind these reported interactions are not always known. Increased gastric pH during omeprazole treatment may change the absorption of the protease inhibitors. Other possible interaction mechanisms are via inhibition of CYP2C19.

For atazanavir and nelfinavir, decreased serum levels have been reported when given together with omeprazole and concomitant administration is not recommended. Co-administration of omeprazole (40 mg once daily) with atazanavir 300 mg/ritonavir 100 mg to healthy volunteers resulted in a substantial reduction in atazanavir exposure (approximately 75% decrease in AUC, C _max and C _min ). Increasing the atazanavir dose to 400 mg did not compensate for the impact of max min omeprazole on atazanavir exposure. The co-administration of omeprazole (20 mg qd) with atazanavir 400 mg/ritonavir 100 mg to healthy volunteers resulted in a decrease of approximately 30% in the atazanavir exposure as compared with the exposure observed with atazanavir 300 mg/ritonavir 100 mg qd without omeprazole 20 mg qd. Co-administration of omeprazole (40 mg qd) reduced mean nelfinavir AUC, Cmax and Cmin by 36-39% and mean AUC, Cmax and Cmin for the pharmacologically active metabolite M8 was reduced by 75-92%. Due to the similar pharmacodynamic effects and pharmacokinetic properties of omeprazole and esomeprazole, concomitant administration with esomeprazole and atazanavir is not recommended and concomitant administration with esomeprazole and nelfinavir is contraindicated. For saquinavir (with concomitant ritonavir), increased serum levels (80-100%) have been reported during concomitant omeprazole treatment (40 mg qd). Treatment with omeprazole 20 mg qd had no effect on the exposure of darunavir (with concomitant ritonavir) and amprenavir (with concomitant ritonavir). Treatment with esomeprazole 20 mg qd had no effect on the exposure of amprenavir (with and without concomitant ritonavir). Treatment with omeprazole 40 mg qd had no effect on the exposure of lopinavir (with concomitant ritonavir)

Methotrexate

When given together with PPIs, methotrexate levels have been reported to increase in some patients. In high-dose methotrexate administration a temporary withdrawal of esomeprazole may need to be considered.

Tacrolimus

Concomitant administration of esomeprazole has been reported to increase the serum levels of tacrolimus. A reinforced monitoring of tacrolimus concentrations as well as renal function (creatinine clearance) should be performed, and dosage of tacrolimus adjusted if needed.

Medicinal products with pH dependent absorption

Gastric acid suppression during treatment with esomeprazole and other PPIs might decrease or increase the absorption of medicinal products with a gastric pH dependent absorption. As with other medicinal products that decrease intragastric acidity, the absorption of medicinal products such as ketoconazole, itraconazole and erlotinib can decrease and the absorption of digoxin can increase during treatment with esomeprazole. Concomitant treatment with omeprazole (20 mg daily) and digoxin in healthy subjects increased the bioavailability of digoxin by 10% (up to 30% in two out of ten subjects). Digoxin toxicity has been rarely reported. However, caution should be exercised when esomeprazole is given at high doses in elderly patients. Therapeutic drug monitoring of digoxin should then be reinforced.

Medicinal products metabolised by CYP2C19

Esomeprazole inhibits CYP2C19, the major esomeprazole metabolising enzyme. Thus, when esomeprazole is combined with medicinal products metabolised by CYP2C19, such as diazepam, citalopram, imipramine, clomipramine, phenytoin etc., the plasma concentrations of these medicinal products may be increased and a dose reduction could be needed. This should be considered especially when prescribing esomeprazole for on demand therapy

Diazepam

Concomitant administration of 30 mg esomeprazole resulted in a 45% decrease in clearance of the CYP2C19 substrate diazepam.

Phenytoin

Concomitant administration of 40 mg esomeprazole resulted in a 13% increase in trough plasma levels of phenytoin in epileptic patients. It is recommended to monitor the plasma concentrations of phenytoin when treatment with esomeprazole is introduced or withdrawn.

Voriconazole

Omeprazole (40 mg once daily) increased voriconazole (a CYP2C19 substrate) Cmax and AUC by 15% and 41%, respectively.

Cilostazol

Omeprazole as well as esomeprazole act as inhibitors of CYP2C19. Omeprazole, given in doses of 40 mg to healthy subjects in a cross-over study, increased C and AUC for cilostazol by 18% and max 26% respectively, and one of its active metabolites by 29% and 69% respectively.

Cisapride

In healthy volunteers, concomitant administration of 40 mg esomeprazole and cisapride resulted in a 32% increase in area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and a 31% prolongation of elimination half-life (t ) but no significant increase in peak plasma levels of cisapride. The slightly 1/2 prolonged QTc interval observed after administration of cisapride alone, was not further prolonged when cisapride was given in combination with esomeprazole.

Warfarin

Concomitant administration of 40 mg esomeprazole to warfarin-treated patients in a clinical trial showed that coagulation times were within the accepted range. However, post-marketing, a few isolated cases of elevated INR of clinical significance have been reported during concomitant treatment. Monitoring is recommended when initiating and ending concomitant esomeprazole treatment, during treatment with warfarin or other coumarine derivatives.

Clopidogrel

Results from studies in healthy subjects have shown a pharmacokinetic (PK)/ pharmacodynamic (PD) interaction between clopidogrel (300 mg loading dose/75 mg daily maintenance dose) and esomeprazole (40 mg p.o.daily) resulting in decreased exposure to the active metabolite of clopidogrel by an average of 40% and resulting in decreased maximum inhibition of (ADP induced) platelet aggregation by an average of 14%. When clopidogrel was given together with a fixed dose combination of esomeprazole 20 mg +ASA 81 mg compared to clopidogrel alone in a study in healthy subjects there was a decreased exposure by almost 40% of the active metabolite of clopidogrel. However, the maximum levels of inhibition of (ADP induced) platelet aggregation in these subjects were the same in the clopidogrel and the clopidogrel + the combined (esomeprazole + ASA) product groups. Inconsistent data on the clinical implications of a PK/PD interaction of esomeprazole in terms of major cardiovascular events have been reported from both observational and clinical studies. As a precaution concomitant use of clopidogrel should be discouraged.

Investigated medicinal products with no clinically relevant interaction

Amoxicillin and quinidine

Esomeprazole has been shown to have no clinically relevant effects on the pharmacokinetics of amoxicillin or quinidine

Naproxen or rofecoxib

Studies evaluating concomitant administration of esomeprazole and either naproxen or rofecoxib did not identify any clinically relevant pharmacokinetic interactions during short-term studies.

Effects of other medicinal products on the pharmacokinetics of esomeprazole Medicinal products which inhibit CYP2C19 and/or CYP3A4

Esomeprazole is metabolised by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. Concomitant administration of esomeprazole and a CYP3A4 inhibitor, clarithromycin (500 mg b.i.d.), resulted in a doubling of the exposure (AUC) to esomeprazole. Concomitant administration of esomeprazole and a combined inhibitor of CYP2C19 and CYP 3A4 may result in more than doubling of the esomeprazole exposure. The CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 inhibitor voriconazole increased omeprazole AUCt by 280%. A dose adjustment of esomeprazole is not regularly required in either of these situations. However, dose adjustment should be considered in patients with severe hepatic impairment and if long-term treatment is indicated. Long-term treatment is indicated in adults and adolescents (12 years and older).

Medicinal products which induce CYP2C19 and/or CYP3A4

Medicinal products known to induce CYP2C19 or CYP3A4 or both (such as rifampicin and St. John's wort) may lead to decreased esomeprazole serum levels by increasing the esomeprazole metabolism.

Paediatric population

Interaction studies have only been performed in adults.

4.6 Special populations

Pregnancy

Clinical data on exposed pregnancies with Zosa Junior are insufficient. With the racemic mixture omeprazole, data on a larger number of exposed pregnancies from epidemiological studies indicate no malformative nor foetotoxic effect. Animal studies with esomeprazole do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to embryonal/foetal development. Animal studies with the racemic mixture do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, parturition or postnatal development. Caution should be exercised when prescribing to pregnant women. A moderate amount of data on pregnant women (between 300-1000 pregnancy outcomes) indicates no malformative or foeto/neonatal toxicity of esomeprazole. Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether esomeprazole is excreted in human breast milk. There is insufficient information on the effects of esomeprazole in newborns/infants. Esomeprazole should not be used during breast-feeding

Fertility

Animal studies with the racemic mixture omeprazole, given by oral administration do not indicate effects with respect to fertility.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Esomeprazole has minor influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Adverse reactions such as dizziness (uncommon) and blurred vision (rare) has been reported. If affected patients should not drive or use machines.

4.8 Undesirable Effects

Headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and nausea are among those adverse reactions that have been most commonly reported.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via email to: medico@zuventus.com Website: https://www.zuventus.com/drug-safety-reporting By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

4.9: Overdose

There is very limited experience to date with deliberate overdose. The symptoms described in connection with 280 mg were gastrointestinal symptoms and weakness. Single doses of 80 mg esomeprazole were uneventful. No specific antidote is known. Esomeprazole is extensively plasma protein bound and is therefore not readily dialyzable. As in any case of overdose, treatment should be symptomatic and general supportive measures should be utilised.

5.1 Mechanism of Action

Esomeprazole is a weak base and is concentrated and converted to the active form in the highly acidic environment of the secretory canaliculi of the parietal cell, where it inhibits the enzyme H+K + -ATPase – the acid pump and inhibits both basal and stimulated acid secretion.

5.2 Pharmacodynamic Properties

After oral dosing with esomeprazole 20 mg and 40 mg the onset of effect occurs within one hour. After repeated administration with 20 mg esomeprazole once daily for five days, mean peak acid output after pentagastrin stimulation is decreased 90% when measured 6 – 7 hours after dosing on day five. After five days of oral dosing with 20 mg and 40 mg of esomeprazole, intragastric pH above 4 was maintained for a mean time of 13 hours and 17 hours, respectively over 24 hours in symptomatic GERD patients. The proportion of patients maintaining an intragastric pH above 4 for at least 8, 12 and 16 hours respectively were for esomeprazole 20 mg 76%, 54% and 24%. Corresponding proportions for esomeprazole 40 mg were 97%, 92% and 56%. Using AUC as a surrogate parameter for plasma concentration, a relationship between inhibition of acid secretion and exposure has been shown. Healing of reflux esophagitis with esomeprazole 40 mg occurs in approximately 78% of patients after four weeks, and in 93% after eight weeks. During treatment with antisecretory medicinal products, serum gastrin increases in response to the decreased acid secretion. Also CgA increases due to decreased gastric acidity. The increased CgA level may interfere with investigations for neuroendocrine tumours. Available published evidence suggests that proton pump inhibitors should be discontinued between 5 days and 2 weeks prior to CgA measurements. This is to allow CgA levels that might be spuriously elevated following PPI treatment to return to reference range. An increased number of ECL cells possibly related to the increased serum gastrin levels, have been observed in both children and adults during long term treatment with esomeprazole. The findings are considered to be of no clinical significance. During long-term treatment with antisecretory medicinal products gastric glandular cysts have been reported to occur at a somewhat increased frequency. These changes are a physiological consequence of pronounced inhibition of acid secretion, are benign and appear to be reversible. Decreased gastric acidity due to any means including proton pump inhibitors, increases gastric count of bacteria normally present in the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with proton pump inhibitors may lead to a slightly increased risk of gastrointestinal infections such as Salmonella and Campylobacter and, in hospitalised patients, possibly also Clostridium difficile.

5.3 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

Esomeprazole is acid labile and is administered orally as enteric-coated granules. In vivo conversion to the R-isomer is negligible. Absorption of esomeprazole is rapid, with peak plasma levels occurring approximately 1-2 hours after dose. The absolute bioavailability is 64% after a single dose of 40 mg and increases to 89% after repeated once-daily administration. For 20 mg esomeprazole the corresponding values are 50% and 68%, respectively. Food intake both delays and decreases the absorption of esomeprazole although this has no significant influence on the effect of esomeprazole on intragastric acidity.

Distribution

The apparent volume of distribution at steady state in healthy subjects is approximately 0.22 L/kg body weight. Esomeprazole is 97% plasma protein bound.

Biotransformation

Esomeprazole is completely metabolised by the cytochrome P450 system (CYP). The major part of the metabolism of esomeprazole is dependent on the polymorphic CYP2C19, responsible for the formation of the hydroxy- and desmethyl metabolites of esomeprazole. The remaining part is dependent on another specific isoform, CYP3A4, responsible for the formation of esomeprazole sulphone, the main metabolite in plasma.

Elimination

The parameters below reflect mainly the pharmacokinetics in individuals with a functional CYP2C19 enzyme, extensive metabolisers. Total plasma clearance is about 17 L/h after a single dose and about 9 L/h after repeated administration. The plasma elimination half-life is about 1.3 hours after repeated once-daily dosing. Esomeprazole is completely eliminated from plasma between doses with no tendency for accumulation during once-daily administration. The major metabolites of esomeprazole have no effect on gastric acid secretion. Almost 80% of an oral dose of esomeprazole is excreted as metabolites in the urine, the remainder in the faeces. Less than 1% of the parent drug is found in urine

6.1 Animal Toxicology or Pharmacology

Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential, toxicity to reproduction and development. Adverse reactions not observed in clinical studies, but seen in animals at exposure levels similar to clinical exposure levels and with possible relevance to clinical use were as follows: Carcinogenicity studies in the rat with the racemic mixture have shown gastric ECL-cell hyperplasia and carcinoids. These gastric effects in the rat are the result of sustained, pronounced hypergastrinaemia secondary to reduced production of gastric acid and are observed after longterm treatment in the rat with inhibitors of gastric acid secretion. No new or unexpected toxicity findings were observed in juvenile rats and dogs, after administration of esomeprazole for up to 3 months, as compared to the adult animals.

The active ingredient in Zosa Junior (esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate) granules is bis(5- methoxy-2sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole-1-yl) magnesium trihydrate. Esomeprazole is the S-isomer of omeprazole, which is a mixture of the S-and R-isomers. Its molecular formula is (C₁₂H₁₈N₃O₃S)₂ Mg x 3H₂O with molecular weight of 767.2 as a trihydrate.

8.1 Incompatibilities

Not Applicable.

8.2 Shelf-life

Refer on the pack.

8.3 Packaging information

A sachet of 1g.

8.4 Storage and handing instructions

Store protected from light & moisture, at a temperature not exceeding 30°C.

What is ZOSA JUNIOR and what is it used for?

ZOSA JUNIOR contains a medicine called esomeprazole. This belongs to a group of medicines called 'proton pump inhibitors'. They work by reducing the amount of acid that your stomach produces.

It is used to treat the following conditions:

• Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
• Risk Reduction of NSAID Associated Gastric Ulcer.
• H. Pylori Eradication to Reduce the Risk of Duodenal Ulcer Recurrence.
• Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions Including Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

What you need to know before you take esomeprazole?

Do not take esomeprazole

• If you are allergic to esomeprazole or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
• If you are allergic to other proton pump inhibitor medicines (e.g. pantoprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, omeprazole).
• If you are taking a medicine containing nelfinavir (used to treat HIV infection). You must not take esomeprazole if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or nurse before you are given this medicine.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or nurse before you are given esomeprazole if:

• You have severe liver problems.
• You have severe kidney problems.
• You have ever had a skin reaction after treatment with a medicine similar to Esomeprazole that reduces stomach acid.
• You are due to have a specific blood test (Chromogranin A). Esomeprazole may hide the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, if any of the following happen to you before you take esomeprazole or after you are given it, talk to your doctor straight away:
• You lose a lot of weight for no reason and have problems swallowing.
• You get stomach pain or indigestion.
• You begin to vomit food or blood.
• You pass black stools (blood-stained faeces).

If you have been prescribed esomeprazole “on demand” you should contact your doctor if your symptoms continue or change in character. Taking a proton pump inhibitor like esomeprazole, especially over a period of more than one year, may slightly increase your risk of fracture in the hip, wrist, or spine. Tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids (which can increase the risk of osteoporosis). If you get a rash on your skin, especially in areas exposed to the sun tell your doctor as soon as you can, as you may need to stop your treatment with esomeprazole. Remember to also mention any other ill effects like pain in your joints.

Other medicines and esomeprazole Tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription. This is because esomeprazole can affect the way some medicines work, and some medicines can have an effect on esomeprazole. You must not be given esomeprazole if you are taking a medicine containing nelfinavir (used to treat HIV infection).

Tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Atazanavir (used to treat HIV infection).
• Clopidogrel (used to prevent blood clots).
• Ketoconazole, itraconazole or voriconazole (used to treat infections caused by a fungus).
• Erlotinib (used to treat cancer).
• Citalopram, imipramine or clomipramine (used to treat depression).
• Diazepam (used to treat anxiety, relax muscles or in epilepsy).
• Phenytoin (used in epilepsy). If you are taking phenytoin, your doctor will need to monitor you when you start or stop having esomeprazole.
• Medicines that are used to thin your blood, such as warfarin. Your doctor may need to monitor you when you start or stop having esomeprazole.
• Cilostazol (used to treat intermittent claudication – a pain in your legs when you walk which is caused by an insufficient blood supply).
• Cisapride (used for indigestion and heartburn).
• Digoxin (used for heart problems).
• Methotrexate (a chemotherapy medicine used in high doses to treat cancer) – if you are taking a high dose of methotrexate, your doctor may temporarily stop your esomeprazole treatment.
• Tacrolimus (organ transplantation).
• Rifampicin (used for treatment of tuberculosis).
• St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) (used to treat depression).

If your doctor has prescribed the antibiotics amoxicillin and clarithromycin as well as esomeprazole to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, it is very important that you tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking.

Esomeprazole with food and drink

Esomeprazole should be taken at least 1 hour before meals

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before you are given this medicine. Your doctor will decide whether you can take esomeprazole during this time. It is not known if esomeprazole passes into breast milk. Therefore, you should not be given esomeprazole if you are breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines

Esomeprazole is not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines. However, side effects such as dizziness and blurred vision may uncommonly occur. If affected, you should not drive or use machines.

Elderly

Dose adjustment is not required in the elderly

If you take more esomeprazole than you should

If you take more esomeprazole than prescribed by your doctor, talk to your doctor or pharmacist straight away

13 January 2023