What Is Esomeprazole/Naproxen? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Esomeprazole/naproxen, previously sold under the brand name Vimovo, is a prescription combination tablet designed to treat arthritis pain while protecting the stomach from ulcers. If your doctor has recently prescribed it—or if you're curious whether it might be right for you—this guide covers everything you need to know.

What Is Esomeprazole/Naproxen?

Esomeprazole/naproxen is a fixed-dose combination medication that contains two active ingredients:

• Naproxen — a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that reduces pain, swelling, and stiffness in arthritic joints by blocking COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes that produce inflammatory prostaglandins.
• Esomeprazole — a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces stomach acid production and protects the stomach lining from ulcers caused by naproxen therapy.

The key innovation in this combination is its sequential-release design: esomeprazole (immediate-release) is absorbed first, providing stomach protection before the delayed-release naproxen takes effect. This pharmacokinetic sequencing cannot be replicated by taking separate naproxen and esomeprazole pills simultaneously.

Who Is Esomeprazole/Naproxen Approved For?

The FDA approved esomeprazole/naproxen in 2010 for use in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older weighing at least 38 kg (approximately 84 lbs) who need naproxen for arthritis and who are at risk of developing naproxen-associated stomach ulcers.

FDA-Approved Uses

Esomeprazole/naproxen is specifically FDA-approved for:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) — the most common form of arthritis, caused by cartilage breakdown in joints, particularly knees, hips, and hands.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) — an autoimmune disease causing chronic joint inflammation, pain, and swelling.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) — a chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints.
• Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) — in adolescents ≥12 years weighing ≥38 kg who need long-term NSAID therapy with gastroprotection.

It is not recommended for initial treatment of acute pain because its delayed-release formulation slows naproxen absorption.

How Is It Taken?

Esomeprazole/naproxen comes as a delayed-release tablet in two strengths:

• 375 mg naproxen / 20 mg esomeprazole — often for patients 38–50 kg or those requiring a lower naproxen dose.
• 500 mg naproxen / 20 mg esomeprazole — most common adult dose.

The standard dose is one tablet twice daily, taken at least 30 minutes before a meal. The tablet must be swallowed whole with liquid—do not crush, chew, split, or dissolve it.

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Who Should NOT Take Esomeprazole/Naproxen?

Do not take esomeprazole/naproxen if you:

• Are allergic to naproxen, esomeprazole, omeprazole, or any other proton pump inhibitor
• Have had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or another NSAID
• Are about to have or recently had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
• Are taking rilpivirine-containing HIV medications (Complera, Edurant, Odefsey)
• Have moderate-to-severe kidney impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min) or severe liver disease

Is It Available as a Generic?

Yes. The brand-name Vimovo has been discontinued, but FDA-approved generic versions of esomeprazole/naproxen are available from multiple manufacturers, including Ajanta Pharma USA and Dr. Reddy's Laboratories. The generics are pharmacologically equivalent to the original brand. Finding them in stock may require checking multiple pharmacies or using a pharmacy-search service.

Want to understand exactly how this medication works in your body? Read our guide on how esomeprazole/naproxen works. If you're having trouble finding the drug in stock, medfinder can search pharmacies near you.