Shortage of esomeprazole magnesium oral suspension

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reports a shortage of esomeprazole magnesium oral suspension. This drug shortage affects people who have been prescribed the oral suspension for various reasons. There is no shortage of the capsules containing the same drug. AstraZeneca cites "manufacturing delays" for the shortage of their brand name drug, Nexium. If someone is taking aspirin (but not the 81 mg enteric-coated aspirin), ibuprofen, naproxen or various other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs over the long term, Nexium is useful to avoid the ulcers which are a common adverse reaction to these drugs. A person suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease may take Nexium to prevent damage to their esophagus when their stomach contents come back up the wrong way. Since even very young children may have GERD, this is probably the main group that will be affected by this drug shortage. Nexium is also taken with amoxicillin and clarithromycin to eradicate Helicobacter pylori and thus avoid the recurrence of ulcers due to this infection.

Their are important drug interactions with some other commonly prescribed drugs and also with anti-HIV drugs, so it is important that your doctor know what you are taking, both prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.