Prevacid
® (
lansoprazole) is a medication that is used to treat a number of conditions within the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. It is available with a prescription as regular Prevacid or over-the-counter (OTC) as
Prevacid 24HR.
Prescription brand-name Prevacid is manufactured by TAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Nonprescription Prevacid 24HR is made by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.
What Is Prevacid Used For?
This medication is licensed to treat a number of conditions, including:
-
- Erosive esophagitis
- Duodenal ulcers
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections
- Stomach ulcers
- Pathological hypersecretory conditions (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
It is also licensed to treat GERD and erosive esophagitis in children 1 to 17 years of age. The nonprescription form is approved only for the short-term treatment of frequent
heartburn in adults.
Prevacid is part of a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which decrease the amount of acid in the stomach by blocking the acid production sites.
What Are the Effects of Prevacid?
Prevacid reduces the amount of acid in your stomach, which:
- Helps heartburn and other GERD symptoms go away
- Allows damage to the esophagus to heal
- Allows the stomach or intestines time to heal.
When and How Do I Take It?
Some general considerations for when and how to take Prevacid include the following:
- The medication comes in an orally disintegrating tablet, capsule, or powder (to make a liquid) that should be taken before eating.
- Your Prevacid dosage should not be split, chewed, or crushed.
- If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, you may open a Prevacid capsule onto a small amount of applesauce, orange juice, or tomato juice. Mix briefly and swallow immediately.
- The orally disintegrating tablets (SoluTabs) can be dissolved on the tongue (not chewed) or may be dissolved in a small amount of water (ask your healthcare provider for more information about doing this).
- Prevacid powder should be mixed with a small amount of water just before giving the dose (ask your healthcare provider for more information about doing this).
- The medication should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your system.
- For Prevacid to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. The medicine will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of Prevacid your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are associated with Prevacid. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. If side effects occur, in most cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Starting Prevacid?
Prior to taking the drug, let your healthcare provider know if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
There have been a limited number of cases of people overdosing on Prevacid. Therefore, the overdose symptoms are not well known. If you happen to take too much of the drug, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Prevacid Be Stored?
Prevacid should be stored at room temperature. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Prevacid as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your normal schedule. Never take a double dose!
Available Forms and Strengths
Prescription Prevacid comes in a number of forms, including:
- Prevacid Delayed-Release Capsule
- Prevacid Delayed-Release Oral Suspension (liquid)
- Prevacid SoluTabs, which are delayed-release disintegrating tablets.
The medication also comes in a number of strengths, which include:
Over-the-counter
Prevacid 24HR comes in one strength -- Prevacid 24HR 15 mg capsules.
Is There a Generic Version of Prevacid?
