The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first generic version of Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium delayed-release capsules) to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults and children ages 1 and older.

The FDA is informing the public that prescription proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs may cause low serum magnesium levels ( hypomagnesemia ) if taken for prolonged periods of time (in most cases, longer than one year).