FAQ About NEXIUM

Considering NEXIUM? The information below may help answer some of your questions.

What does NEXIUM do?
Why is NEXIUM called the Healing Purple Pill?
How does NEXIUM work?
Who can prescribe NEXIUM?
Is NEXIUM affordable?
Is NEXIUM easy to take?
What are the possible side effects of NEXIUM?
How might NEXIUM interact with other medicines I’m taking?
Does NEXIUM contain gluten?

Are you taking NEXIUM? The information below may help answer some of your questions.

How should I take NEXIUM?
What should I do if I miss a dose of NEXIUM?
How should I store NEXIUM?
What is the recommended adult dose for NEXIUM?

NEXIUM and your prescription drug coverage

What if NEXIUM is not on my plan's list of covered prescription medications?
If I have 2 insurance cards, which one should I use to find out information about my NEXIUM coverage and out-of-pocket costs?
Why might my copay/coinsurance for NEXIUM have changed?
What if I don't have health or prescription drug coverage?

 

What does NEXIUM do?
NEXIUM can both relieve heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux disease and also heal possible damage to the esophagus that acid reflux can cause over time. Only a doctor can determine if you have this damage, called erosive esophagitis. For many people, one NEXIUM pill a day provides 24 hour relief of symptoms due to acid reflux disease. NEXIUM can also heal possible damage from acid reflux within 4 to 8 weeks. Your results with NEXIUM may vary.
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Why is NEXIUM called the Healing Purple Pill?
Over time, untreated acid reflux can cause breaks or erosions in the lining of the esophagus. Only a doctor can diagnose this damage, called erosive esophagitis. NEXIUM can heal those erosions; that's why it's called the Healing Purple Pill. Most erosions heal in 4 to 8 weeks. Your results with NEXIUM may vary.
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How does NEXIUM work?
NEXIUM turns off many of the "acid pumps" in the stomach's acid-producing cells. This reduces the amount of acid in your stomach.
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Who can prescribe NEXIUM?
Doctors, and in many states nurse practitioners and physician assistants, can prescribe medications. These qualified professionals can also determine whether NEXIUM is right for you.
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Is NEXIUM affordable?

  • The majority of patients with prescription drug coverage for NEXIUM pay $30 or less per month*

    *Individual out-of-pocket costs may vary. Based on monthly out-of-pocket retail pharmacy costs for Commercial insurance and Medicare Part D Standard Eligible patients. Excluding claims from Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy and Dual Eligibles, Cash (uninsured), and Medicaid, the percentage of beneficiaries paying $30 or less per month in out-of-pocket costs ranged from 55.13%-61.12% during the most recent twelve-month period. Data included claims covering 4,100 plans. Base on Wolters Kluwer Health, Dynamic Claims, April 2009 - March 2010, last accessed May 26, 2010).

  • With the Purple Plus Savings Card, you may be eligible to save in one of two ways:
    • If you have prescription coverage and your co-pay is more than $25, you may receive up to $50 in savings on each fill for NEXIUM (up to 12 fills)
    • If you do not have prescription coverage, AstraZeneca will cover the first $50 of the cost of each fill for NEXIUM (up to 12 fills)

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Is NEXIUM easy to take?
For acid reflux disease, people take NEXIUM just once a day. It should be taken at least 1 hour before a meal and at the same time every day. If your doctor prescribes NEXIUM for you, take it as he or she directs.
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What are the possible side effects of NEXIUM?
In adults 18 years and older, side effects of NEXIUM include headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

In children 1 to 17 years of age, side effects of NEXIUM include headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and sleepiness.

Please consult the Important Product Information to read more about possible side effects.
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How might NEXIUM interact with other medicines I'm taking?
Drug interactions can occur in patients receiving concurrent medications. When any drug is prescribed, the possibility of drug interactions should always be considered. Consult your doctor concerning your specific treatment. Remember to tell your doctor or pharmacist all the prescription and nonprescription medications you're taking, such as Coumadin™† (warfarin), Pletal®(cilostazol), and certain HIV medications (such as atazanavir, nelfinavir or saquinavir†) and drugs where gastric pH is important, such as ketoconazole,† iron salts, and digoxin.†
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†Drug names and compounds are trademarks of their parent companies.

 

Does NEXIUM contain gluten?
Gluten is not listed as an ingredient in the NEXIUM Prescribing Information.

Since AstraZeneca does not manufacture the raw materials used in its drug products and the suppliers may periodically change, lack of contact with gluten or use of gluten during the manufacturing process cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, AstraZeneca cannot guarantee that NEXIUM is gluten-free.
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How should I take NEXIUM?

Your doctor will tell you how and when to take NEXIUM. NEXIUM is most commonly prescribed as a capsule that comes in different dosage strengths.

  • Take NEXIUM at least 1 hour before a meal
  • Take NEXIUM at the same time every day
  • Swallow the capsules whole; do not chew or crush them. If you have a hard time swallowing capsules, you can empty a capsule into a tablespoon of applesauce. The applesauce should be swallowed right away and never stored for later use. The pellets should not be chewed or crushed
  • If you take NEXIUM Delayed-Release oral suspension
    • Empty the contents of a packet into the container with 1 tablespoon of water
    • Stir
    • Leave 2 to 3 minutes to thicken
    • Stir, and drink within 30 minutes
    • If any medicine remains after drinking, add more water, stir, and drink right away
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What should I do if I miss a dose of NEXIUM?
If you miss or forget to take a dose, continue taking NEXIUM as directed and consult your doctor.
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How should I store NEXIUM?
Keep NEXIUM out of the reach of children and always replace the bottle cap after use. Leave NEXIUM in the original package and protect the medicine from sunlight and moisture. Store NEXIUM at room temperature (between 59°F and 86°F or between 15°C and 30°C).
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What is the recommended adult dose for NEXIUM?
Your doctor will prescribe the dose that’s right for you. Common prescriptions are 20 mg once daily for patients with acid reflux disease. For patients with acid reflux disease and erosive esophagitis (EE), 20 mg or 40 mg once daily may be prescribed.
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What if NEXIUM is not on my plan's list of covered prescription medications?
NEXIUM is available to most people who receive prescription drug coverage through an employer, Medicaid, Medicare or their state prescription drug program. However, some plans may have special rules or set limits on how you get your medications. If this is true for your plan, you can either pay full price for the prescription or ask your plan administrator for what is called an exception.

If you find that NEXIUM is not on your plan's list of covered prescription medications, you can contact your plan administrator to ask why. Your plan should have a toll-free phone number you can call to get this information. The toll-free number should be listed on your plan ID card. Because some people have separate ID cards for their medical and prescription drug coverage, it is important to refer to the ID card that you present at the pharmacy when you get your prescription filled.
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If I have 2 insurance cards, which one should I use to find out information about my NEXIUM coverage and out-of-pocket costs?
Some people have different plan ID cards for their medical coverage and for their prescription drug coverage. Usually, this is because the prescription drug coverage has been purchased from an insurance provider that is different than the one providing medical coverage. Because NEXIUM is covered through prescription drug coverage and not medical coverage, you should refer to the plan ID card that you present at the pharmacy.
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Why might my copay/coinsurance for NEXIUM have changed?
The amount of your copay or coinsurance is determined by your plan and what formulary tier or level NEXIUM is on within that plan. Typically, a lower tier will have a lower cost, while a higher tier will have a higher cost. Your plan administrator will be able to give you detailed information about your prescription medication costs and the reasons for any changes to your out-of-pocket costs. If you get your prescription drug coverage through your employer, your human resources or benefits manager may also be able to answer questions about your plan.
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What if I don't have health or prescription drug coverage?
The Purple Plus Savings Card can help eligible patients with prescription drug coverage who have a NEXIUM copay of $25 or more or those without prescription drug coverage. These patients may receive up to $50 in savings on each fill for up to 12 fills.‡

‡Some restrictions apply.
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Next: Talking With Your Doctor

Find out your plans's coverage and your estimated cost for NEXIUM. Use the NEXIUM Cost Estimator.
Important Safety Information About NEXIUM

In adults 18 and older, side effects with NEXIUM include headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

In children 1 to 17 years of age, side effects with NEXIUM include headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and sleepiness.

Symptom relief does not rule out the presence of other serious stomach conditions.

Before taking NEXIUM, tell your doctor if you are taking atazanavir, nelfinavir, saquinivir, digoxin, iron salts, ketoconazole, voriconazole, cilostazol, or warfarin.

Approved Uses for NEXIUM

NEXIUM is prescribed to treat the symptoms of acid reflux disease, which typically include persistent heartburn on 2 or more days per week, despite treatment and change of diet.

For many people, NEXIUM is also prescribed to heal damage to the esophagus called erosive esophagitis. This damage may be caused over time from stomach acid wearing away the lining of the esophagus. Only a doctor can diagnose this condition. With NEXIUM, most erosions heal in 4 to 8 weeks. Your results with NEXIUM may vary.

Please read the full Prescribing Information and discuss it with your doctor or health care professional.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.