Question about Nexium

Nexium is part of our PUD (peptic ulcer Disease) prevention. All ICU patient's are on Nexium and some sort of DVT prophylaxis as well.

In these situaitons, we are using it as a prevention to keep the pt from developing a stress ulcer.

The book I have say Nexium is used for

GERD/erosive esophagitis

Hypersecretory conditions, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (is a disorder where increased levels of the hormone gastrin are produced, causing the stomach to produce excess hydrochloric acid)

With amoxicillin to eradicate Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer disease or history of duodenal ulcer disease

Decrease risk of gastric ulcer during continuous NSAID therapy.

prevention of stress ulcer. Every patient I have is on some type of PPI.

i've was on it before because i had gastritis and a bum gallbladder.

both of my patients today were on nexium.

primary patient has myasthenia gravis. doctor was talking to her today about d/c instructions and said that she needs it bcus she is on high dose of steroids and its to protect her stomach. he also out her on antibiotics to prevent infections from the steroids?

secondary patient had a left radial fracture PMHx of HIV. on two antivirals for hiv and she was on nexium also. in this case i dont know why she would be on nexium.

in this case i dont know why she would be on nexium.

Like I said-prophylactic Nexium is used for prevention of stress ulcers.

All the local docs here use Protonix on every hospitalized patient, for the same reason cardiacRN mentioned regarding Nexuim: Prophylactic prevention of stress ulcers.

Used as protection for stomach against NSAID's as well as all above reasons.

All the local docs here use Protonix on every hospitalized patient, for the same reason cardiacRN mentioned regarding Nexuim: Prophylactic prevention of stress ulcers.

Ditto

standard of care.

Is there any evidence that all of this Nexium is necessary? I too have seen this. Just about every single patient I have cared for is on this stupid thing.

I'd rather give my pts the purple pill than have a GI bleen on my hands. It's easy, and although not the cheapest PUD prophylaxis, it's cheaper than a GI bleed.

A stress ulcer can happen easier than you think...

How about (for cardiac patients) preventing any type of heart burn pain from masking other types of chest pain - MI, angina, etc.?

That was all I could think of one morning in clinical and my teacher seemed to accept it. I have seen it everywhere though, so I am glad to learn about the stress ulcer prevention.