Noxicid Caps (Esomeprazole)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Noxicid Caps Used For?
Noxicid Caps contains esomeprazole, a proton-pump inhibitor that works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces. This helps relieve symptoms and allows healing to occur without interfering with normal food digestion.
Primary Uses
Noxicid Caps treats reflux oesophagitis (heartburn caused by stomach acid backing up into the food pipe), upper gastrointestinal symptoms from NSAID pain medications, peptic ulcers associated with Helicobacter pylori bacteria, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a rare condition causing excessive stomach acid), and bleeding peptic ulcers.
How It Works
As a proton-pump inhibitor, Noxicid Caps decreases stomach acid production to provide symptom relief and promote healing. This process doesn’t interfere with normal food digestion.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Noxicid Caps is addictive.
How to Take Noxicid Caps
Take Noxicid Caps exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medication comes as enteric capsules that should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water.
Dosage Instructions
Take one capsule daily, usually 20 mg or 40 mg depending on your condition and its severity. Take at the same time each day to help remember. Can be taken with or without food. Don’t crush or chew the capsules as they won’t work properly. Continue taking for as long as your doctor recommends – most patients see symptom relief quickly with complete healing usually within 4 weeks.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then return to your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- nausea or vomiting
- constipation
- diarrhea
- headache
- wind (gas)
- stomach pain
- skin rash
- itchy skin
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- blurred vision
- mood changes or confusion
- muscle pain or weakness
- joint pain
- increased sweating
- sleep pattern changes
- fever
- increased bruising
- pins and needles sensation
- hair loss
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
- swelling of face, lips, tongue, or other body parts
- severe skin reactions with rash, itching, redness, blistering, or peeling
- signs of liver inflammation (yellowing of skin/eyes, feeling unwell, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite)
- blood in urine
- increased or decreased urine output
- vomiting blood or food
- black (blood-stained) bowel movements
- pain or indigestion during treatment
- tremor
- muscle twitching or jerking movements
- irregular heartbeat
- loss of consciousness
Important Warnings
Before taking Noxicid Caps, inform your doctor about all medical conditions and medications you’re taking.
Who Should Not Take Noxicid Caps
Don’t take if you’re allergic to esomeprazole, any ingredients in the capsules, or other proton-pump inhibitors. Don’t take if you’re also taking atazanavir or cilostazol. Signs of allergic reaction include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/lips/tongue/body parts, or skin rash/itching/hives.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to medicines/foods/dyes/preservatives, liver problems, severe kidney problems, osteoporosis, or have had skin reactions to similar stomach acid-reducing medications.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
It’s unknown if Noxicid Caps is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The medication may affect your baby or pass into breast milk. Don’t take during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless your doctor determines the benefits outweigh the risks.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Noxicid Caps, affecting how well it works or how other medicines work in your body.
- atazanavir and nelfinavir (HIV medications)
- cilostazol (for intermittent claudication)
- ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole (antifungal medications)
- diazepam (anxiety medication)
- phenytoin (epilepsy medication)
- citalopram, clomipramine, imipramine (antidepressants)
- St John’s wort (herbal mood disorder remedy)
- clarithromycin, rifampicin (antibiotics)
- warfarin, clopidogrel (blood thinners)
- digoxin (heart medication)
- methotrexate (arthritis/cancer medication)
- tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (organ transplant medications)
- erlotinib (cancer medication)
- cisapride
Alcohol & Driving
Exercise caution with activities requiring alertness until you know how Noxicid Caps affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how Noxicid Caps affects you.
Storage
Keep Noxicid Caps in the original bottle until ready to take. Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you or someone else takes too much Noxicid Caps, seek immediate medical attention even if no symptoms are present. Call the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients experience rapid symptom relief, with complete healing usually occurring within 4 weeks of treatment.
Yes, Noxicid Caps can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
No, there is no evidence that Noxicid Caps is addictive.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose.
No, you must swallow Noxicid Caps whole with a full glass of water. Crushing or chewing the capsules will prevent them from working properly.
Tell your doctor if your symptoms return. Although Noxicid Caps can heal ulcers successfully, it may not prevent them from recurring at a later date.
Noxicid Caps is not approved for children younger than 12 years of age and is not recommended for this age group.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.