Consumer medicine information

ESOMEPRAZOLE GH

Esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate


Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some of the common questions people ask about Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet. It does not contain all the information that is known about Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor will have weighed the risks of you taking Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What Esomeprazole GH is used for

Reflux Oesophagitis

Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet is taken to treat reflux oesophagitis. This can be caused by “washing back” (reflux) of food and acid from the stomach into the food pipe (oesophagus).

Reflux can cause a burning sensation in the chest rising up to the throat, also known as heartburn.

Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet is also taken to help stop reflux oesophagitis coming back or relapsing.

Upper gastrointestinal symptoms associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) therapy

Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet is taken to treat the symptoms of pain or discomfort, in the stomach caused by NSAIDs, a type of medicine for pain or inflammation.

Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet is also taken to help heal and prevent ulcers caused by NSAIDs.

Peptic Ulcers Associated with Helicobacter pylori Infection

Most people who have a peptic (gastric and duodenal) ulcer also have a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori in their stomach.

Depending on the position of the ulcer it is called a gastric or duodenal ulcer. A gastric ulcer occurs in the stomach. A duodenal ulcer occurs in the duodenum which is the tube leading out from the stomach.

If you have a peptic ulcer, your doctor will prescribe Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet with antibiotics. When Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet and antibiotics are taken together, they work to kill the bacterium and let your ulcer heal. You may need further treatment with antibiotics.

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet is also used to treat a rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, where the stomach produces large amounts of acid, much more than in ulcers or reflux disease.

Bleeding Peptic Ulcers

When peptic ulcers become severe enough, they start to bleed. You may receive treatment injected into your veins initially. This treatment may be followed with Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablets prescribed by your doctor for a longer period of time. This is to help your ulcer/s to heal.

How Esomeprazole GH works

Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet is a type of medicine called a proton-pump inhibitor. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made by the stomach, to give relief of symptoms and allow healing to take place. This does not stop food being digested in the normal way.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

Ask your doctor if you want more information. Your doctor may have prescribed Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet for another reason.

There is no evidence that Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet is addictive.

Before you take Esomeprazole GH

When not to take it

Do not take Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet if you have allergies to:

  • Esomeprazole or any ingredient listed at the end of this leaflet.
  • Any medicines containing a proton-pump inhibitor.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not take Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet if you are also taking atazanavir or cilostazol. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking these medicines. These medicines will be affected by Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet.

Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet is not approved for use in children younger than 1 year of age. There is no specific information about use in children younger than 1 year of age, so Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet is not recommended in these patients.

Do not take Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet after the use by (expiry) date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

Before you start to take it

You must tell your doctor if you have:

  • allergies to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
  • any problems with your liver
  • severe kidney problems
  • any other medical conditions

Do not take Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor says so. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits involved. It is not known if it is safe for you to take Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet while you are pregnant. It may affect your baby.

It is not known if your baby can take in Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet from breast milk if you are breastfeeding.

Taking other medicines

Do not take Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet if you are taking the following medicines:

  • atazanavir and nelfinavir – medicines used to treat viral infections such as HIV
  • cilostazol – a medicine used to treat intermittent claudication.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet. These include:

  • ketoconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole – medicines used to treat fungal infections
  • diazepam – a medicine used to treat anxiety and some other conditions
  • phenytoin – a medicine used to treat epilepsy or fits
  • citalopram, clomipramine and imipramine – medicines used to treat depression
  • St John’s Wort – a herbal remedy used to treat mood disorders
  • clarithromycin and rifampicin – medicines used to treat bacterial infections
  • warfarin – a medicine used to prevent blood clots
  • digoxin – a medicine used to treat heart conditions
  • methotrexate – a medicine used to treat arthritis and some types of cancer
  • tacrolimus – a medicine used to assist in organ transplants
  • erlotinib or related medicines used to treat cancer.

These medicines may be affected by Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet or may affect how well it works.

You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor can tell you what to do if you are taking any other medicines.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet.

If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you take Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet.

How to take Esomeprazole GH

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. These instructions may differ from the information contained in this leaflet

If you do not understand the directions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How to take it

Take one Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet each day, unless your doctor has told you otherwise. The dose of Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet is usually 20 mg or 40 mg a day depending on what condition you are being treated for and how severe it is.

Swallow Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the tablets. If the tablets are chewed or crushed they will not work properly.

If you have difficulty swallowing the tablets:

  1. Place the tablet in half a glass of noncarbonated water. Mineral water or other liquids are not suitable
  2. Gently mix the tablet and water by stirring, taking care not to crush the tablet
  3. Stir until the tablet dissolves into little pellets
  4. Drink the liquid with the pellets immediately, or within 30 minutes. Do not chew the pellets
  5. Rinse the glass with half a glass of water and drink

If you cannot swallow at all, follow steps 1-3 above to disperse the tablets and administer the liquid and pellets through a gastric tube.

Take Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet at about the same time each day. Keeping a regular time for taking ESOMEPRAZOLE GH ENTERIC-COATED TABLET will help to remind you to take it.

Keep taking Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet for as long as your doctor recommends. In most patients, Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet relieves symptoms rapidly and healing is usually complete within 4 weeks. Continue Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet for as long as your doctor tells you to.

Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

If you take too much

Emergency at your nearest hospital immediately if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too many Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablets. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

While you are taking Esomeprazole GH

Things you must do

Take Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet.

Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while you are taking Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms return. Although Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet can heal ulcers successfully, it may not prevent them recurring at a later date.

If you need to have any medical tests while you are taking Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet, tell your doctor. It may affect the results of some tests.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would normally.

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed. If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

Things you must not do

Do not take it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

  • nausea or vomiting
  • constipation
  • diarrhoea
  • headache
  • wind
  • stomach pain
  • skin rash, itchy skin
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth.

These side effects are usually mild.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

  • blurred vision
  • mood changes, confusion or depression
  • muscle pain or weakness, joint pain
  • increase in breast size (males)
  • increased sweating
  • changes in sleep patterns
  • fever
  • increased bruising
  • “pins and needles”
  • hair loss
  • tremor
  • blood in the urine

These side effects may require medical attention.

If you notice any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital:

  • shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
  • swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
  • severe skin reaction which may include rash, itching, redness, blistering or peeling of the skin
  • signs of liver inflammation including yellowing of the skin or eyes, feeling generally unwell, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite.

These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical treatment or hospitalisation.

Occasionally, Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet may be associated with changes in your liver or blood, which may require your doctor to do certain blood tests.

Tell your doctor if you think you have any of these effects or notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Some people may get other side effects while taking Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet.

Other problems are more likely to arise from the condition itself rather than the treatment.

For this reason, contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

  • pain or indigestion during treatment with Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet
  • you begin to vomit blood or food
  • you pass black (bloodstained) motions.

How to store Esomeprazole GH

Storage

Keep your Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet in the blister/HDPE pack until it is time to take them. If you take Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet out of the blister/HDPE pack it will not keep well.

Keep it in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.

Do not leave it in the car or on a window sill. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets you have left over.

Product description

What Esomeprazole GH tablets look like

Tablets

  • Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet 20 mg are light pink coloured, oblong, biconvex, coated tablets debossed with ’20’ on one side and ‘CE’ on the other.
  • Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet 40 mg are pink coloured, oblong, biconvex, coated tablets debossed with ’40’ on one side and ‘CE’ on the other side.

Ingredients

Each Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet contains esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate as the active ingredient equivalent to esomeprazole 20mg or 40mg;

Plus the following inactive ingredients,

  • Non Pareil Seeds 40-50 (PI 108808)
  • Hyprolose
  • Crospovidone
  • Icing sugar with maize starch (PI 109216)
  • Magnesium oxide-light
  • Purified talc
  • Macrogol 6000
  • Methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate copolymer (1:1)
  • Glycerol
  • Macrogol 400
  • Polysorbate 80
  • Hypromellose phthalate
  • Microcrystalline cellulose
  • Povidone
  • Pregelatinised maize starch
  • Silicon dioxide
  • OPADRY complete film coating system 03B54193 PINK (PI 108604)
  • OPADRY complete film coating system 03B84893 PINK (PI 108603)
  • Iron oxide red
  • Iron oxide yellow

Sponsor

Lupin Australia Pty Ltd
Suite 2, Level 2, 19-23
Prospect Street
Box Hill, VIC, 3128

Distributed in Australia by

Generic Health Pty Ltd
Suite 2, Level 2, 19-23
Prospect Street
Box Hill, VIC, 3128

Australian Registration Numbers

  • Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet 20 mg (blister pack) – 307865
  • Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet 20 mg (HDPE pack) – 307868
  • Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet 40 mg (blister pack) – 307866
  • Esomeprazole GH enteric-coated tablet 40 mg (HDPE pack) – 307867

This leaflet was prepared in December 2018.

Published by MIMS January 2021