Esomeprazole and Meperidine Hydrochloride

• Generic Name: esomeprazole
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Esomeprazole Strontium, Nexium, Nexium, NexIUM 24HR, Nexium IV

Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Esomeprazole is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Esomeprazole is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid).

Esomeprazole may also be given to prevent gastric ulcer caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), or by the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Esomeprazole is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Esomeprazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: meperidine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Demerol, Demerol HCl, Meperitab

A strong analgesic used in the relief of moderate to severe pain.

Usually, temporary relief of moderate to severe pain such as that associated with acute and some chronic medical disorders including renal or biliary colic, acute trauma, postoperative pain, and cancer.

Used to provide analgesia during diagnostic and orthopedic procedures and during labor.

For preoperative sedation and as a supplement to anesthesia.

Use as first-line opiate therapy is discouraged because of central excitatory toxicity of metabolite (normeperidine).

Because of extensive first-pass metabolism in the liver to normeperidine, the risk of excitatory toxicity is increased with oral administration of meperidine; therefore, oral therapy is discouraged.

Has been used to relieve the pain of MI, although probably not as effective as morphine sulfate.

In symptomatic treatment of acute pain, reserve opiate analgesics for pain resulting from severe injuries, severe medical conditions, or surgical procedures, or when nonopiate alternatives for relieving pain and restoring function are expected to be ineffective or are contraindicated. Use smallest effective dosage for shortest possible duration since long-term opiate use often begins with treatment of acute pain. Optimize concomitant use of other appropriate therapies. (See Managing Opiate Therapy for Acute Pain under Dosage and Administration.)

Use for chronic pain is discouraged because of short duration of effect and risk of accumulation of normeperidine metabolite and resultant central excitatory toxicity with repeated or large doses.

Used parenterally for preoperative sedation and as a supplement to anesthesia.

Used in patients with acute pulmonary edema for its cardiovascular effects and to allay anxiety.

Do not use in the treatment of pulmonary edema resulting from a chemical respiratory irritant.