The development of Nexium confirmed that American pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca occupies a leading role in the production of gastrointestinal preparations. The investigations of Nexium lasted more than 10 years and its discovery opened a new chapter in the treatment of diseases caused by increased stomach acidity.
Nexium is a first proton pump inhibitor which is poor isomer; all of other PPI’s comprise a comples of isomers. Nexium is S- stereoisomer of omeprazole. After the oral intake Nexium is absorbed through the small intestine into the blood circulation and then is transported to the parietal cells of the stomach and then is accumulated in the gleam of the secretory ducts. Exactly here the active form of esomeprazole – sulfenamide binds to the thiol groups of cystein in the proton pump and inhibits H+/K+-ATP-ase. All of these leads to dose-dependent blocking the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Action mechanism of Nexium is the same as other PPI’s, however Nexium provides more expressed control of stomach acid formation possessing a higher clinical efficasy As far as Nexium is poor isomer it possesses better disposition profile as compared with omeprazole or other PPI’s/.The differential peculiarity of Nexium is his high bioavailability.
Due to its improved disposition profile the anti secretor effect of Nexim is more expressed, faster manifested and more stable. The clinical trials showed a better anti-secretory effect in patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Nexium is well tolerated and possesses an optimal risk-benefit profile. Nexium side effects are not common and usually occur in patients with hypersensitivity to other PPI’s. The main advantages of Nexium are:
- Nexium contributes to the adhesion of erosion in reflux-esophagitis better than omeprazole
- Nexium provide faster and durable elimination of GERD symptoms
- Nexium is effective for the prevention the relapses of reflux-esophagitis
- Nexium is effective in the beginning therapy of GERD without esophagitis
- Nexium is highly effective in the complex treatment of H.Pylori eridication