Exium

Exium is indicated:

To relieve from chronic heartburn symptoms and other symptoms associated with GERD

For the healing of erosive esophagitis

For maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis

In combination with amoxicillin and clarithromycin for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with duodenal ulcer disease.

• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
• Acid related Dyspepsia
• Duodenal & Gastric ulcer

Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that suppresses gastric acid secretion by specific inhibition of the H+/K+-ATPase in the gastric parietal cell. Esomeprazole (S-isomer of omeprazole) is the first single optical isomer of proton pump inhibitor, provides better acid control than racemic proton pump inhibitors. Absorption : Esomeprazole capsules contain an enteric-coated pellet formulation of esomeprazole magnesium. After oral administration peak plasma levels (C max ) occur at approximately 1.5 hours (T max ). The C max increases proportionally when the dose is increased, and there is a three-fold increase in the area under the plasma ... Read more Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that suppresses gastric acid secretion by specific inhibition of the H+/K+-ATPase in the gastric parietal cell. Esomeprazole (S-isomer of omeprazole) is the first single optical isomer of proton pump inhibitor, provides better acid control than racemic proton pump inhibitors. Absorption : Esomeprazole capsules contain an enteric-coated pellet formulation of esomeprazole magnesium. After oral administration peak plasma levels (C max ) occur at approximately 1.5 hours (T max ). The C max increases proportionally when the dose is increased, and there is a three-fold increase in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) from 20 to 40 mg. At repeated once daily dosing, the systemic bioavailability is approximately 90% compared to 64% after a single dose. The AUC after administration of a single dose of esomeprazole is decreased by 33-53% after food intake compared to fasting conditions. Esomeprazole should be taken at least one hour before meals. Distribution : Esomeprazole is 97% bound to plasma proteins. Plasma protein binding is constant over the concentration range of 2 20 mmol/L. The apparent volume of distribution at steady state in healthy volunteers is approximately 16 L. Metabolism : Esomeprazole is extensively metabolized in the liver by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system. The metabolites of esomeprazole lack anti-secretory activity. The major part of esomeprazole’s metabolism is dependent upon the CYP2C19 isoenzyme, which forms the hydroxy and desmethyl metabolites. The remaining amount is dependent on CYP3A4 which forms the sulphone metabolite. Excretion : The plasma elimination half-life of esomeprazole is approximately 1–1.5 hours. Less than 1% of parent drug is excreted in the urine. Approximately 80% of an oral dose of esomeprazole is excreted as inactive metabolites in the urine, and the remainder is found as inactive metabolites in the faeces. Combination Therapy with Antimicrobials : Esomeprazole magnesium 40 mg once daily is given in combination with clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily and amoxicillin 1000 mg twice daily for 7 days. The mean steady state AUC and Cmax of Esomeprazole increased by 70% and 18%, respectively, during triple combination therapy compared to treatment with Esomeprazole alone. The pharmacokinetic parameters for clarithromycin and amoxicillin are similar during triple combination therapy and administration of each drug alone. However, the mean AUC and Cmax for 14-hydroxyclarithromycin are increased by 19% and 22%, respectively, during triple combination therapy compared to treatment with clarithromycin alone. This increase in exposure to 14-hydroxyclarithromycin is not considered to be clinically significant.

Oral dosage form-

Healing of Erosive Esophagitis : 20 mg or 40 mg Once Daily for 4-8 Weeks. The majority of patients are healed within 4 to 8 weeks. For patients who don't heal after 4-8 weeks, an additional 4-8 weeks of treatment may be considered. Maintenance of Healing of Erosive

Esophagitis : 20 mg Once Daily (Clinical studies did not extend 6 months).

Symptomatic GERD : 20 mg Once Daily for 4 Weeks. If symptoms do not resolve completely after 4 weeks, an additional 4 weeks of treatment may be considered.

Helicobacter Pylori eradication : Triple Therapy to reduce the risk of Duodenal Ulcer recurrence-Esomeprazole 40 mg Once Daily for 10 days, Amoxicillin 1000 mg Twice Daily for 10 days, Clarithromycin 500 mg Twice Daily for 10 days.

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome : The dose is 20-80 mg once daily. The dosage should be adjusted individually and treatment continued as long as clinically indicated.

Acid-related Dyspepsia : 20-40 mg once daily for 2-4 weeks according to the response.

Duodenal ulcer : 20 mg once daily for 2-4 weeks. Gastric ulcer: 20-40 mg once daily for 4-8 weeks.

IV Injection or IV infusion: GERD with Erosive Esophagitis - Adult Patients (≥18 years):

• 20 mg or 40 mg once daily
• IV Injection: >3 Minutes, IV Infusion: 10-30 minutes
• Pediatric Patients (1 year to 17 years)
• Body weight <55 kg: 10 mg Once daily
• Body Weight ≥55 kg: 20 once daily
• 1 month to <1 year: 0.5 mg/kg once daily
• IV Infusion: 10-30 minutes

Risk reduction of rebleeding of Gastric or Duodenal Ulcers following therapeutic endoscopy in adults - Adult Patients (≥18 years)

80 mg

IV Infusion: 30 minutes, followed by a continuous infusion of 8 mg/h for a total treatment duration of 72 hours.

Exium is extensively metabolized in the liver by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that Exium is not likely to inhibit CYPs 1A2, 2A6, 2C9, 2D6, 2E1 and 3A4. No clinically relevant interactions with drugs metabolized by these CYP enzymes would be expected. Drug interaction studies have shown that Exium does not have any clinically significant interactions with phenytoin, warfarin, quinidine, clarithromycin or amoxicillin. Exium may potentially interfere with CYP2C19, the major Exium metabolizing enzyme. Co-administration of Exium 30 mg and diazepam, a CYP2C19 substrate has resulted in a 45% decrease in clearance of diazepam. Increased plasma levels of diazepam have been observed 12 hours after dosing and onwards. Exium inhibits gastric acid secretion. Therefore, Exium may interfere with the absorption of drugs where gastric pH is an important determinant of bioavailability (e.g., ketoconazole, iron salts and digoxin). Co-administration of oral contraceptives, diazepam, phenytoin, or quinidine do not seem to change the pharmacokinetic profile of Exium. Combination Therapy with Clarithromycin: Co-administration of Exium, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin has resulted in increases in the plasma levels of Exium and 14-hydroxyclarithromycin.

Esomeprazole is contraindicated in-patient with known hypersensitivity to any of the formulation.

The most frequently occurring adverse events reported with Exium include headache, diarrhoea, nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain, constipation and dry mouth. There are no difference in types of related adverse events seen during maintenance treatment upto 12 months compared to short term treatment.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Animal studies have revealed no teratogenic effects. The excretion of esomeprazole in milk has not been studied. Breast-feeding should be therefore be discontinued if the use of esomeprazole is considered essential.

General : Symptomatic response to therapy with Exium does not preclude the presence of gastric malignancy. Information for patients : Exium capsules should be taken at least one hour before meals. For patients who have difficulty swallowing capsules, one tablespoon of applesauce can be added to an empty bowl and the Exium capsules can be opened, and the pellets inside the capsule carefully emptied onto the applesauce. The pellets should be mixed with the applesauce and then swallowed immediately. The applesauce used should not be hot and should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. The pellets should not be chewed or crushed. The pellet/applesauce mixture should not be stored for future use. Antacids may be used while taking Exium.

A single oral dose of Exium at 510 mg/kg (about 103 times the human dose on a body surface area basis), has been lethal to rats. The major signs of acute toxicity are reduced motor activity, changes in respiratory frequency, tremor, ataxia, and intermittent clonic convulsions. There have been no reports of overdose with Exium. No specific antidote for Exium is known. Since Exium is extensively protein bound, it is not expected to be removed by dialysis. In the event of overdosage, treatment should be symptomatic and supportive. As with the management of any overdose, the possibility of multiple drug ingestion should be considered.

Store at a temperature not exceeding 30°C in a dry place. Protect from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.