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What Causes Phlegm In Throat And Heartburn After Having Nexium?

Posted on Mon, 18 Jan 2016

Question: Hi dr,

I have been on Nexium for about a week and half and today I decided to go off it since I felt completely fine. What ensured after breaktfast was a bit of a rebound effect I felt phlegm type salvia feel come up my throat and later heartburn. Is this normal since its quite a strong drug or should I go back on it for longer? Should I also have smaller meals to wein my self off it or have much weaker gerd drugs like Gaviscon to ease it?

Kind Regards,
xxxxxxx

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
GERD

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

Nexium (esomeprazole) , a proton-pump inhibitor, which is indicated in the management of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) for reduction of stomach acid secretion.

In mild cases of GERD, esomeprazole should be started at a conservative dose of 20 mg once for 3 to 4 weeks. In moderate to severe cases including episodes of gastritis, 40 mg once or twice can be initiated for a month.

I would advise against stopping the medication after a week and half only. You should continue the nexium , gradually reduce the dose and then stop after at least 2 to 3 weeks of therapy.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Let me know if you have any query

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Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (4 minutes later)

Ok the doctor prescribed me 40mg once a day in the morning an hour before a meal and he said take it until I feel better. So if I continue to use for 2 to 3 weeks of therapy how would I reduce the dosage if the tablet is a 40mg once a day? Would I just skip days to wein my self off it until I gradually stop?Would it be advisable to get 20mg tablets instead because I think the doctor gave me way too high of a dosage.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

20 mg twice a day is fine if it was the first episode and you did not have GERD, chronically. Continue it for 2 weeks and then reduce it to 20 mg once a day for 2 more weeks then stop it altogether.

Let me know if you have any query

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (3 hours later)

I've only been prescribed the 40mg tabelets so would it be adviseable to continue those once a day and then go down to 20mg once a day after 2 weeks? And I have had GERD previously about a year ago do this is my second time taking Nexium.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
EXPLAINED

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Yes, you may take 40 MG once for two weeks and then continue 20 mg for the same period of two weeks.

Wishing you best of health

let me know if you have any query

Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar