How to take Nexium

Instructions for taking Nexium say take on empty stomach with glass of water and wait at least 1 hour before eating.  Clear enough.  We are usually up by 6am and after an hour or so we're off for our 5 mile walk.  It's at least 9am before we eat anything.

I like a cup of coffee first thing in the morning.  Yesterday when I took my Nexium I immediately had my usual cup.  This morning I did the same but it struck me that maybe having the coffee would interfere with the Nexium. I googled the question and found only one site which said no coffee, tea, soft drinks, juice, or dairy for an least 30 minutes after the Nexium dose.  I called the offical Nexium contact line and the nurse said she couldn't find any interactions with coffee.  Most sites only say on empty stomach and wait 1 hour before eating.

Anyone know the answer? I suppose I could have my coffee first thing, wait 30 minutes to an hour and then take my Nexium just before leaving for the walk.

Hi hrpufnstuf,

When they suggest no coffee until at least a half hour after taking Nexium, it's not because it interacts.  Rather, it's because coffee is very hard on your stomach and will get the acid pumps going before the Nexium has time to shut them off.

You want to be sure and wait the 30-60 minutes so that the Nexium is ready to stop the acid from being produced, before putting anything but water into your stomach.

Hope you find relief!

Denise

Denise's comments agree with 2 pharmacists I spoke with yesterday. Both said coffee doesn't intefere with Nexium's effectiveness, but could cause acid reaction before Nexium can start to work.

Did some reading about coffee and other foods to avoid, but scientific evidence is lacking. It seems it most of the recommendations are anecdotal. Of all the common non medical recommendations , only weight loss and bed elevation have been shown to relieve acid reflux symptoms. That is not to say that coffee and many other foods don't cause or exacerbate acid reflux in some people, but that each must find out for themselves how they react. I plan to try Teeccino as a replacement for coffee.

Actually I feel pretty good. I've had a persistent cough for years and my PC doc tried different BP meds and my ENT recommended Claritin but those things didn't help. Finally my PC doc gave me a prescription for Prevacid when it was non generic and I tried it for a year or so but it really didn't allievate the throat clearing thing so I discontinued it. I took no PPI's for several years. about 2 yars ago I decided to give it another try and thought that my throat was a little better with it so continued to use it daily.

This April I complained of some stomach problems and saw my Gastro doc who decided to do an EGD to look at my stomach. My stomach was fine but he did find a short segment Barretts. I've been a wreck about it and have read everything I can, and had lengthy discussions with both docs. Neither seems as concerned as I do, nor did they recommend any diet or medication changes. Seems to me that 15mg Prevacid isn't enough. I had to practically insist on 40mg of Nexium. Pantroprazole is much cheaper for me, but Nexium scores better in a lot of trials.

I have another EGD next March. I want to do everything I can between now and then to keep this Barretts from getting worse. My Gastro doc said he wouldn't be surprised if it resolved itself since it was so small, but I don't count on that happening. I want to be as proactive as I can. OTOH, I sure hate taking meds I don't need.