The generic drug for Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium), current availability:
Trade name Nexium ®, is a registered trademark owned by Astra-Zeneca, although some formulation patents are owned by Merck. (NEX-ee-um, ee-so-MEP-ra-zol, and AS-tra ZEN-eh-kuh). Nexium is commonly prescribed to adults for gastroesophageal reflux disease, often abbreviated GERD. For children ages 1-11 it can be approved for short-term use. Nexium can also be used to treat ulcers when combined with amoxicillin and clarithromycin. Infections caused by Helicobacter pylori respond to the drug in Nexium. The rare condition known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, where small tumors in the pancreas result in over-production of stomach acid may also be treated with Nexium.
Esomeprazole magnesium is the international generic name assigned to reference the active ingredient. Esomeprazole is one of a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole ( sold as Prilosec), lansoprazole (sold as Prevacid), rabeprazole (sold as Aciphex) and pantoprazole (sold as Protonix). Chemically it is very similar to omeprazole, which contains the two mirror image molecules S-esomeprazole and R-esomeprazole. They work by limiting the production of acid in the stomach.
Where to get cheap generics for Nexium:
Nexium is not currently legally available in generic form in the USA. However, a generic is available from a few manufacturers in India. The Indian firm, Lupin Ltd., has been in a court battle after being sued by Astra-Zeneca in November 2009. Astra-Zeneca claims they have the patents for all formulations, which will not expire until 2014 at the earliest. Lupin contends that some of the formulations are older patents held by Merck which have already expired, thus making their generic versions legal. Check price and availability here:
http://www.thedrugcompany.com/product/nexium
http://www.thedrugcompany.com/product/esomeprazole
The Astra-Zeneca patents are worldwide, meaning that there is no generic version of the pure S-esomeprazole, which is Nexium. That said, one Indian firm is packaging esomeprazole magnesium, but the legality of this has not been settled as of March 2010. There are medical and anecdotal claims that this pure version is more effective than the mixed molecules, but that conclusion is much disputed.
One generic version is available from India, manufactured by Ranbaxy. This can be purchased on line from thedrugcompany.com. It can also be sent from Barbados, but comes from India (see cheapodrugs.com). You might contact pharmacies to tell you which expensive brand names have generic equivalents available in your areas, and the pharmacy will have current news on the legal battle over the Nexium patents.
Since Prilosec is an over-the-counter drug, and contains the same chemical as Nexium, it is definitely worth giving it a try to see if this mixed product is effective for you. If so, this will be a great money-saving choice.
All drugs have a generic name, a short unique international reference for the medicine. Esomeprazole magnesium is the trade generic name. The brand and generic name comes in purple capsules “Purple Pill” with Nexium 20 mg doses having two gold stripes, or Nexium 40 mg doses having three gold stripes. Powders for oral suspension are available in 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg dosages.
Nexium is available online at a great many pharmaceutical web sites. You can search for sources in your region of the world to be sure to minimize delivery costs. For those willing to risk the unapproved generics, 40 mg pills can be purchased for about $0.90* each, as compared with US production and packaging which can cost several dollars per capsule. The 20 mg capsules begin at $0.90* each for esomeprazole magnesium, but the patented Nexium is about the same price as the 40 mg doses. Both the generic and patented versions require a doctor’s prescription for purchase.
*Pricing/prices subject to change.
Definitions:
- acid- a solution which has extra protons, and can damage tissue
- proton- a positively charged particle from the nucleus of an atom
- gastroesophageal reflux disease- a condition where excess acid from the stomach rises into the esophagus and erodes the lining
- proton pump inhibitor- a chemical that prevents the molecules in the stomach lining from producing extra protons