Esomac 20 (Esomeprazole 20mg)

Esomac general information

What is Esomac used for?

Esomac tablets 20mg are used to treat conditions caused by gastric reflux, which is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus because the sphincter (muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach) that normally acts as a one-way valve and prevents backflow of stomach contents, does not function properly or is damaged.  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), as this condition is known, causes symptoms like heartburn and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain), and can damage the oesophagus causing inflammation (oesophagitis).  Esomac 20 is also used to treat and prevent peptic ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers or damage to the stomach lining) and duodenum (duodenal ulcers or damage to the lining of the upper intestine); and gastric ulcers caused by use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID); also as combination therapy to treat gastric ulcers that are caused by infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, in conjunction with using antibiotics.  Esomac 20 is also used to treat symptoms of acid-related dyspepsia that can be caused by eating high fat or acidic foods, or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in which increased levels of the hormone gastrin causes an excessive production of gastric acid.

How does Esomac work?

Esomac tablets 20mg contain esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that is used to treat conditions caused by excess gastric acid, by reducing the amount of gastric acid released into the stomach.  Stomach acid is needed for digestion of proteins in your diet and is made by the parietal cells of the stomach wall.  Gastric acid production is dependent on the action of the enzyme H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which is the proton pump responsible for pumping positive hydrogen ions out of the cells into the stomach, which increases the acidity of the stomach contents.  Esomeprazole in Esomac 20 inhibits the functioning of the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which prevents acid secretion by blocking the source of acid production.  This action of esomeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces the acid damage that can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and oesophagitis and relieves symptoms caused by excess gastric acid like heartburn and dyspepsia.  By inhibiting gastric acid secretion Esomac 20 also help prevent the formation of gastric (stomach) and duodenal (upper intestine) peptic ulcers and also helps ulcers and damage caused by gastric reflux to heal. 

What does Esomac contain?

Esomac tablets 20mg contain the active ingredient esomeprazole, which is a proton pump inhibitor that is used to treat conditions caused by excess gastric acid secretion. 

Treating gastric reflux with Esomac

Esomac tablets 20mg contain esomeprazole, which is used to treat conditions caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD).  Gastric reflux is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus because the sphincter (muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach) that normally acts as a one-way valve and prevents backflow of stomach contents, does not function properly or is damaged.  Symptoms caused by gastric reflux include heartburn and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain), and damage to the oesophagus causing inflammation (oesophagitis).  Esomeprazole in Esomac tablets 20mg reduces acid secretion by parietal cells of the stomach wall, by blocking the action of the enzyme H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which is responsible for acid production.  This action of esomeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces the acid damage that can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and oesophagitis, relieves symptoms caused by excess gastric acid like heartburn and dyspepsia; as well as helping damaged tissues caused by excess acid to heal.

Esomac for peptic ulcers

Esomac tablets 20mg contain the active ingredient esomeprazole, which is used to treat and prevent prevent peptic ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers or damage to the stomach lining) and duodenum (duodenal ulcers or damage to the lining of the upper intestine), caused by excess secretion of gastric acid; and gastric ulcers caused by use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).  Esomac tablets 20mg are also used as combination therapy to treat and prevent gastric ulcers that are caused by infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, in conjunction with using antibiotics.  Esomeprazole in Esomac tablets 20mg reduces acid secretion by parietal cells of the stomach wall, by blocking the action of the enzyme H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which responsible for acid production.  This action of esomeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces the acid damage to the stomach wall and allows ulcers that have already developed to heal.

What are the side effects of Esomac?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Esomac include, include: constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, wind (flatulence), headache, dry mouth, skin rash, dizziness, sensation of tingling in the skin (paraesthesia), insomnia.

When should Esomac not be used?

You should not use Esomac 20 if you:

• are allergic to esomeprazole or any ingredients in Esomac
• are taking medicines that interact with Esomac including: the antifungals ketoconazole and itraconazole, the anticoagulant warfarin, phenytoin for epilepsy, the antiretroviral atazanavir, the antibiotic clarithromycin, the immunosuppressive tacrolimus, the sedative diazepam

How should Esomac be taken?

You should take your Esomac tablets 20mg with a glass of water at least one hour before a meal.  You should continue to take your Esomac tablets 20mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually for a few weeks to 6 months, depending on the condition you are being treated for. 

How long should you take Esomac?

You should continue to take your Esomac tablets 20mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually for a few weeks to 6 months, depending on the condition you are being treated for. 

Missed dose of Esomac

If you miss a dose of Esomac 20 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Esomac be stored?

You should store your Esomac 20 below 25°C in a cool dry place.