Drug Formulation Differences: US vs. UK – What’s Really Going On? In recent years, public figures like the Food Babe have shone a light on the additives in foods and how companies often use different formulations in different countries. This sparked a curiosity in me about whether the same thing happens in the pharmaceutical world. Spoiler alert: It does. Esomeprazole (Nexium) – A US vs. UK Comparison Let's take a look at Nexium, a medication used to treat acid reflux. Though it’s widely prescribed, the formulations differ significantly between countries. US Version (Capsule): Contains esomeprazole magnesium, gelatin, titanium dioxide, and color additives such as FD&C Yellow No. 6. UK Version (Tablet): Contains esomeprazole magnesium but without some of the synthetic dyes found in the US formulation. While the active ingredient remains the same, the non-medicinal ingredients differ. You might ask, "Why do we need synthetic...