Pfizer's new Nexium (esomeprazole) drugmaker is on track to start selling its generic version in the US beginning in the second half of this year. (Photo: Alamy)
Pfizer, the maker of Prilosec, is planning to start selling its generic version of the popular anti-inflammatory drug Nexium. The new drug will cost $2.45 per capsule, and will be available in the US under Nexium's brand name, esomeprazole.
Pfizer is buying a portion of the global Nexium global sales from Teva, an Italian-owned subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals, the world's second-largest drug maker. Pfizer will also acquire the global sales of the drug.
Pfizer says Nexium, sold under its own brand and in a different version called Nexium-P, will be priced at approximately $1.15.
Pfizer says the new drug is "in a class of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors" and "a PDE5 inhibitor with a proven track record in treating heart disease and other related problems."
Esomeprazole and Nexium are two of the world's most popular PDE5 inhibitors, prescribed for conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and ulcers.
The drugmaker says its Nexium sales are "in line with" estimates that Nexium is estimated to account for 40 percent of worldwide Nexium sales. The company says it plans to charge a combined $1.15 for the generic version of Nexium and an additional $1.15 per capsule for the generic version.
Pfizer is not currently offering Nexium to customers, but in the unlikely event that it is, the drugmaker will continue to sell the generic version to customers for a period of six months after that. Pfizer says customers will pay a $10 co-pay for the generic version of Nexium.
Pfizer has already been selling its generic version of Nexium through a number of pharmacies in the US and Europe. Pfizer said it will begin selling its generic drug in the US in the fourth quarter of this year.
"We believe this is an important step in the company's future growth," said Steve Johnson, Pfizer's vice president of global product development, strategy and strategy.
Johnson, who is vice chair of the board of Pfizer, said in a statement: "We are thrilled that our generic and brand-name Nexium has been approved for sale in the US."
He added that the company is also in discussions with other companies to develop a product to reduce the cost of generic drugs. The company is currently testing its version of Protonix, a treatment for acid reflux disease that can cost as little as $15 a month.
Johnson said that he is aware of potential risks associated with the drug.
"The drugmaker is looking into the possibility of a product that could reduce the cost to patients and patients' families," said Johnson.
Pfizer has agreed to buy Teva for $2.9 million and to buy the remaining $1.9 million stock of Teva and the generic version of Nexium.
Pfizer shares fell 2.7 percent last year, as much as 8 percent, to $36.26.
The company's stock is down slightly for the second week in a row and has gained more than 50 percent in the last six months.
Photo: AlamyPfizer shares declined 6.8 percent, to $28.20 on the New York Stock Exchange, while the stock's gains have ranged from $28.20 up 12.7 percent in the second week to $40.18, down 8.7 percent.
Pfizer shares have fallen 5.3 percent in the second week to $38.20, down 7.1 percent in the second week to $44.15, and the stock's gains have ranged from $44.25 up 6.8 percent in the second week to $60.26, down 7.7 percent in the second week to $70.24, and the stock's gains have ranged from $70.24 up 5.1 percent in the second week to $80.25, down 5.1 percent in the second week to $81.27.Pfizer and Teva are currently trading at about $5.00 on the NYSE.
Pfizer's stock is down more than 50 percent in the past year to $36.27 in October, while the stock's gains have ranged from $36.27 up 7.
If you’ve been taking the first or second dose of an esomeprazole magnesium (generic Nexium) for heartburn, or if you’ve been taking Nexium for over a year, this article is a good place to begin. It will cover everything you need to know about Nexium (NEXIUM), including the benefits and potential side effects, as well as the different doses you may be prescribed. It’s important to talk with your doctor about Nexium and if it’s the right option for you.
NEXIUM is a medicine used to treat conditions that are associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, such as heart failure, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It is also used to treat certain types of cancer and certain other serious illnesses. Nexium is a long-acting medication that is taken as needed and is taken orally for a short duration. The drug works by decreasing the amount of acid that your stomach produces. This makes Nexium more effective in treating conditions like heartburn and acid reflux. If you have heartburn, you may experience some burning when you take Nexium, and some people may not like to take it. Nexium should not be taken with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) like omeprazole, esomeprazole, or lansoprazole. It can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure when taken with PPIs.
NEXIUM is a long-acting medication. It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach produces. It’s important to take Nexium exactly as directed by your doctor. Taking it exactly as prescribed will help you avoid any adverse effects. Nexium should be taken on an empty stomach at least one hour before your next meal. Taking it on an empty stomach can reduce stomach acid production and make Nexium more effective in treating heartburn.
It’s a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). PPIs work by increasing the amount of acid your stomach produces. Nexium is available in different forms, including tablets and capsules. Nexium is also available as a liquid suspension that can be used to take with food or with milk. The dosage for Nexium is usually lower than for a tablet. The usual dose for adults is 20 mg, taken once a day. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions precisely when taking Nexium.
No. Nexium can be taken with other medications. Before taking Nexium, tell your doctor if you have:
It’s important to always take Nexium with a PPI. If you take more than one PPI, they can interact and make some of your esomeprazole magnesium (generic Nexium) less effective. Do not take Nexium without talking to your doctor.
Nexium (generic Nexium) is not approved for use in children under 8 years old. This drug is also not approved for use in adults over 18 years of age. In some cases, the dosage may be increased to 20 mg or reduced to 5 mg. This is only for adults.
For full details, including how you should take Nexium, see.
Description:NEXIUM (esomeprazole magnesium) is a prescription medication used to treat acid reflux, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It contains the same active ingredient, esomeprazole, as Nexium®.
Prescription Information:
Esomeprazole magnesiumis used to treat the following conditions:
NEXIUM (esomeprazole magnesium) is an acid-suppressing agent and is also used to treat GERD.
NEXIUM (esomeprazole magnesium):NEXIUM is taken orally once or twice daily with or without food.
This medication is usually taken once daily or for several days after meals. It is important to take this medication with food. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Take Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium) as directed by your doctor. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your response to the medication. The most common side effects of this medication are diarrhea, abdominal pain, and flatulence.
If you are taking Nexium® for the treatment of GERD, talk to your doctor before you take this medication. This is because you may be allergic to esomeprazole magnesium or any of the other ingredients in Nexium®.
If you are taking this medication for the treatment of acid reflux, talk to your doctor before you take this medication. This is because esomeprazole magnesium may increase the chance of stomach acid reflux and/or heartburn.
Side effects:Side effects of Nexium® include:
Serious side effects:
A new study shows that a medication that’s often used for heartburn helps to keep it from going up in the sky.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, is being called the “New Gut Science”. The study, led by researchers from San Diego and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, involved 14 people who used Nexium, a prescription acid blocker, for 14 days.
The study found that people who used Nexium for 14 days lost up to 3 pounds in their stomach, while those on a placebo, took a different medication, which was taken for 7 days, lost less than 1 pound in their stomach, and took no active ingredient. The scientists also found that the drugs were associated with an increased risk of heartburn and other gastrointestinal disorders.
The researchers also found that patients taking the medication for 14 days had a 15 percent lower risk of heartburn, and patients who took the medication for 7 days had a 25 percent lower risk of heartburn.
“This is the first to show that taking a medication for 14 days is a safe and effective way to keep stomach acid from coming back up the sky,” said lead author Dr. Susan J. Allen of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.
“It is important to note that this is a very small sample size, and so the results will need to be interpreted cautiously and under the supervision of a health care provider, who will decide which medications are best for the patient.”
The study was funded by a California foundation that makes the drug, and its authors include Dr. Tse-Hsin Lee and Dr. Nachum Katlow. The study was led by Drs. Allen and Katlow and was not part of the research. The company did not respond to a request for comment.
The study was conducted in two phases, the first phase was a random-number factorial design, and the second phase was an open-label, single-dose study.
The researchers looked at the results of the two phases of the study, which were designed to be conducted over 14 days, and found that people who took Nexium for 14 days lost to a greater than 2 pounds more weight than those on a placebo. However, the drugs were not associated with an increased risk of heartburn or other gastrointestinal disorders.
“This is the first to show that taking a medication for 14 days is a safe and effective way to keep stomach acid from coming up the sky,” said Dr. Robert M. Gebel, a senior vice president at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “We believe the results of this study support the use of over-the-counter medications for adults with stomach problems. We have been working with the FDA to develop a generic version of Nexium for the treatment of heartburn. We have also been working with the FDA to develop an over-the-counter drug that is effective and safe to use for adults with heartburn and other gastrointestinal disorders.”
The researchers looked at the results of the two phases, which were designed to be conducted over 14 days, and found that people who took Nexium for 14 days lost to a greater than 2 pounds more weight than those on a placebo.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Nexium 24HR, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), for use in the treatment of chronic pain.
The drug is indicated in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age and older for the treatment of acute and chronic pain associated with the following conditions:
Acute pain that is refractory to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as a result of an allergic reaction to the active ingredient (esomeprazole), or
An allergic reaction to the active ingredient (omeprazole), or
Any other medication or drug that contains proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as
, or
Inhaled steroids (such as dexamethasone or prednisone), such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
The US FDA has approved Nexium 24HR, an oral medication used to treat acute pain in adults and adolescents 12 years and older for the treatment of chronic pain, including the following conditions:
Any other medication or drug that contains proton pump inhibitors (such as dexamethasone or prednisone).
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