Nexium Control

What is Nexium Control?

Nexium Control is a heartburn and acid reflux treatment produced by Haleon. It comes as 20mg gastro-resistant tablets and contains esomeprazole, which belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces.

Nexium Control is licensed for short-term use in adults aged 18 and over. Treatment lasts up to 14 days, and you should speak to a doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve by then.

Esomeprazole is also available as a prescription-only medication in the form of Nexium tablets or sachets. 

What is Nexium Control Used For?

Nexium Control treats the symptoms of acid reflux in adults. Reflux happens when acid from the stomach flows back up into the gullet, the tube that carries food from the mouth down to the stomach. This can leave the lining inflamed and sore.

The two symptoms people tend to notice are heartburn, a painful feeling in the chest that rises up towards the throat, and acid regurgitation, which leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

Several everyday things can bring on heartburn or make it worse, including:

• Eating large meals or eating too quickly
• Eating high-fat foods
• Drinking a lot of alcohol
• Lying down after eating
• Smoking
• Carrying extra weight

How Does Nexium Control Work?

The lining of the stomach contains tiny pumps that release acid to help break down food. The active ingredient, esomeprazole, blocks these pumps and lowers the amount of acid the stomach produces. Because esomeprazole is itself broken down by stomach acid, the tablets contain coated pellets that protect the medicine as it passes through the stomach, which is why they should never be chewed or crushed.

Nexium Control does not stop reflux from happening. Lowering the amount of acid in the stomach means anything flowing back up into the gullet is less acidic, which eases the burning feeling.

How Long Does Nexium Control Take to Work?

Nexium Control begins reducing stomach acid quickly, but that is not the same as symptoms clearing.

Esomeprazole starts to lower acid production within an hour of taking a tablet. Relief from heartburn takes longer, and you may need to take a tablet each day for two or three days in a row before you notice a difference. For that reason, it is not intended to bring immediate relief from a one-off bout of heartburn.

If your symptoms get worse at any stage, or have not improved after 14 days, speak to a doctor rather than carrying on.

How Effective Are Nexium Control Tablets?

Esomeprazole 20mg has been tested against a placebo in people with frequent heartburn.

In two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials involving over 700 people, around 30% of those taking esomeprazole 20mg had gone seven days in a row without heartburn by the two-week mark, compared with under 10% of those taking a placebo. Acid regurgitation improved as well, with investigators judging symptoms resolved in around 60% of people on esomeprazole, against around 30% on placebo.

A separate analysis published in BMJ Open Gastroenterology pooled two 14-day trials involving 651 people and found that the benefit builds over time. Heartburn-free days improved from the start of treatment, but the largest gain came between days 5 and 14.

Most people in these trials did not become completely free of heartburn, so while the tablets help many, they do not clear symptoms for everyone. 

How to Take Nexium Control Tablets

Always take Nexium Control 20mg gastro-resistant tablets exactly as advised. Do not crush or chew the tablets, as the medication contains coated pellets that prevent it from being broken down by stomach acid. You can take Nexium Control at any time of day, with food or on an empty stomach.

The treatment period is up to 14 days or when your reflux symptoms have completely disappeared, whichever happens sooner. If the symptoms worsen or do not improve after 14 days, consult a clinician for further advice.  

You can take Nexium Control in two ways:

• Swallow the tablet whole with half a glass of water, and do not chew or crush it. It’s essential that you don’t damage the pellets contained within
• Stir a tablet into a glass of still water until it breaks up, then drink the mixture straight away or within 30 minutes. Always stir the mixture just before drinking it

If you decide to stir the tablet in water, you should rinse the glass well with half a glass of water and drink it. This ensures you have taken all of the medicine. Remember not to chew or crush the solid pieces in the medication. 

Nexium Control Dosage Information

The recommended dose of Nexium Control is one 20mg gastro-resistant tablet per day. It’s important that you don’t exceed this amount, even if you don’t feel an immediate improvement in your symptoms. You may need to take the tablets for 2 or 3 days in a row before your reflux symptoms (like heartburn and acid regurgitation) get better. 

If You Take Too Many Nexium Control Tablets

Taking more Nexium Control tablets than advised will not alleviate your symptoms any faster, but could cause adverse reactions such as diarrhoea, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, or feeling weak. Seek immediate medical assistance if you ever exceed the recommended dosage. 

If You Forget to Take Nexium Control 

If you forget to take Nexium Control, take a tablet as soon as you remember, provided it is on the same day as the one you missed. If not, skip the missed dose and take one tablet as normal. You should never take a double dose to try and make up for one you have missed. 

Nexium Control Side Effects and Cautions

Like all medications, Nexium Control 20mg gastro-resistant tablets have the potential to cause side effects. That being said, not everyone will experience them. Whether you do or not, it’s still important to have a clear understanding of what could happen when you start treatment, as this will help you make a more informed decision about whether or not it is right for your circumstances. 

Possible Side Effects of Nexium Control

Nexium Control side effects are categorised according to how likely you could be to experience them, while some cannot be estimated from the data available. More information about potential adverse reactions can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the medication.

Possible side effects of Nexium Control tablets include:

It’s important to note that the above table is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet for a more thorough breakdown. You can also report any adverse reactions that you experience to your clinician or via the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme. 

Serious Side Effects of Nexium Control

If you notice any of the following serious side effects, it’s essential that you stop taking Nexium Control and contact a doctor immediately:

• Signs of severe allergic reaction (seen rarely): Sudden wheezing, swelling of your lips, tongue and throat, rash, fainting, or difficulties in swallowing 
• Signs of ‘Stevens-Johnson syndrome’ or ‘toxic epidermal necrolysis’ (seen very rarely): Reddening of the skin with blisters or peeling. Severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose, and genitals
• Signs of liver problems (seen rarely): Yellow skin, dark urine, tiredness
• Signs of DRESS syndrome or drug hypersensitivity syndrome (seen very rarely): Widespread rash, high body temperature, and enlarged lymph nodes

If you notice an infection with symptoms like fever with a significantly reduced general condition, or a fever with signs of a local infection such as pain in the neck, throat, or mouth, or difficulties in urination, you must consult a doctor as soon as possible, so they can examine your white blood cell count. You should also tell them you are taking Nexium Control. 

Symptoms to Watch Out For

You should inform your doctor immediately if you notice the following symptoms either before or after taking Nexium Control, as they could be signs of another, more serious, condition:

• You lose a lot of weight for no reason
• You have pain or problems when swallowing
• You get stomach pain or signs of indigestion like nausea, fullness, and bloating, especially after food intake
• You begin to vomit food or blood
• You pass black stools
• You have severe or persistent diarrhoea
• You get a rash on your skin, especially in areas exposed to the sun

Some heartburn symptoms can be mistaken for a heart problem, and vice versa. Seek urgent medical attention if you have chest pain along with light-headedness, sweating or dizziness, or shoulder pain with shortness of breath.

Nexium Control Warnings and Interactions

Although Nexium Control 20mg tablets are an effective treatment for heartburn and other reflux symptoms, they may not be suitable for everyone. This is because the treatment can exacerbate existing medical conditions, or interact with other medicines you are taking.

You should not take Nexium Control if you:

• Are allergic to esomeprazole or any of the other ingredients in the medication
• Are allergic to treatments containing other proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as lansoprazole or omeprazole
• Are taking medicines containing nelfinavir or orally administered rilpivirine
• Have ever developed a severe skin rash or skin peeling, blistering and/or mouth sores after taking Nexium Control or related medicines 

Precautions Before Taking Nexium Control

It’s important to talk to your clinician or doctor before starting Nexium Control if any of the following applies to you, as this will enable them to determine if the medication is suitable for you to take:

• You have had stomach ulcers or stomach surgery in the past
• You have continuously been taking treatment for heartburn or reflux for 4 or more weeks
• You have jaundice or severe liver problems
• You have severe kidney problems
• You are aged over 55 years and have developed new or recently changed reflux symptoms
• You are due to have an endoscopy or urea breath test
• You are due to have a Chromogranin A blood test
• You have frequent wheezing, especially with heartburn
• You have ever had a skin reaction with treatments similar to Nexium Control 
• You have been told that you have an intolerance to some sugars, as Nexium Control contains sucrose 

Nexium Control and Other Medicines

You should also provide your clinician or doctor with information regarding any other treatments you’re taking, including over-the-counter products and herbal remedies. This helps them decide whether it is safe for you to use Nexium Control.

Specifically inform your doctor or clinician if you are taking the following before you start Nexium Control:

• Ketoconazole and itraconazole
• Voriconazole and clarithromycin
• Erlotinib
• Citalopram, imipramine, or clomipramine
• Diazepam 
• Phenytoin
• Warfarin or other blood thinners
• St John’s Wort
• Levothyroxine

Please note that this is not a full list of potential Nexium Control interactions. Read the Patient Information Leaflet for more details. 

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

It’s preferable that you avoid using Nexium Control during pregnancy as a precautionary measure. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or planning to have a baby, please consult your clinician or doctor before using the medication. You should not take Nexium Control while breastfeeding. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Nexium Control Tablets