What is Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole is a medication that reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is also available as a generic medication, going by the name of its active ingredient, esomeprazole.

It is used to effectively treat several conditions relating to the overproduction of acid, including:

• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• ulcers caused by long-term use of NSAIDs
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
• (alongside antibiotics) bacterial infections in the intestine or stomach

In addition to treating the above conditions, Esomperazole also eases many of their symptoms, such as heartburn.

How does Esomperazole work

Esomeprazole contains the active ingredient esomeprazole - a type of medicine known as a proton pump inhibitor.

The cells lining the stomach contain proton pumps, which work to produce the stomach acid that is an essential part of the body's digestive process. Esomeprazole inhibits the action of these proton pumps, reducing acid production and preventing the overflow into the oesophagus (food pipe).