About Acid Reflux Disease

Here's some background on what happens when you have acid reflux disease.

Your stomach is filled with acid that helps digest the food you eat. Your stomach is built to handle this acid. But your esophagus (the tube that carries food to your stomach) isn't.

So when acid backs up into your esophagus—an event called "acid reflux"—it can sometimes cause the painful, burning sensation known as heartburn or other symptoms.

See how acid reflux occurs

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Watch what's happening when you have heartburn.

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If you experience persistent heartburn pain on 2 or more days a week, despite treating the symptoms and changing your diet, it could be acid reflux disease. It's important to talk to your doctor about your acid reflux symptoms and possible treatment options.

For some people, acid reflux disease can mean more than just dealing with symptoms. Over time, frequent, recurrent acid reflux can potentially cause damage to the delicate lining of the esophagus. About 1 in 3 acid reflux sufferers may have this condition, which is called erosive esophagitis. Only a doctor can tell if you have this damage.

The good news is that Nexium can help relieve the heartburn pain, and, for people with erosive esophagitis, it can heal the possible damage acid reflux disease can cause over time. Most damage heals in 4 to 8 weeks. Your results with Nexium may vary.

Ask your doctor if your heartburn could be acid reflux disease, and if Nexium is right for you.

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Important Safety Information About NEXIUM

  • Symptom relief does not rule out the presence of other serious stomach conditions
  • Talk to your doctor about your risk for:
    • bone fractures if you take multiple daily doses of NEXIUM for a long period of time
    • low magnesium levels if you take NEXIUM for a long period of time
  • Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements. NEXIUM may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how NEXIUM works
  • Side effects with NEXIUM include headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain

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.