The purple pill, also known as Nexium, has just gotten nose-to-nose competition. The FDA has recently approved the first generic formulation of esomeprazole.
The manufacturer will be Ivax, a subsidiary of the generic pharmaceutical giant, Teva.
Nexium has been one of the most popular proton pump inhibitors or PPIs, used to treat chronic heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is also used to heal ulcers and help eradicate the germ Helicobacter pylori that leads to ulcer development.
Once there is a generic available, many insurance companies will require its use rather than pay for the brand name drug. Nexium 24HR is now available over the counter, and people who want access to the brand name medicine may have to purchase it that way. Stopping any PPI suddenly, including Nexium, can sometimes trigger terrible heartburn as a rebound condition.
