Prevacid
® (
lansoprazole) is a medication that is used to treat a number of conditions within the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
Prevacid is manufactured by TAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
What Is Prevacid Used For?
Prevacid is licensed to treat a number of conditions, including:
-
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (
GERD)
- Erosive esophagitis
- Duodenal ulcers
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections
- Stomach ulcers
- Pathological hypersecretory conditions (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
Prevacid is also licensed to treat GERD and erosive esophagitis in children 1 to 17 years of age.
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 Prevacid?
Some general considerations for when and how to take Prevacid include the following:
- Prevacid comes in either a tablet, capsule, or liquid form that should be taken before eating.
- Prevacid should not be split, chewed, or crushed.
- Prevacid should be taken at the same time each day, to maintain an even level of the medication in your system.
- For Prevacid to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Prevacid will not work if you stop taking it.
The dose of Prevacid recommended by your healthcare provider 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 specifically instructed by your healthcare provider to do so.
(Click Prevacid Dosing for more information about dosing recommendations for Prevacid.)
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects associated with Prevacid. Not everyone who takes Prevacid will experience side effects. In most cases, Prevacid side effects are minor, meaning that they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
Common side effects of Prevacid include, but are not limited to:
Drug Interactions With Prevacid
Prevacid potentially has a number of medicines with which it can interact.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Starting Prevacid?
Prior to taking Prevacid, you should let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Have liver disease or liver failure
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have any allergies.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
There have been a limited number of cases of people overdosing on Prevacid. Therefore, the Prevacid overdose symptoms are not well known. If you happen to overdose on Prevacid, seek medical attention immediately.
Prevacid: Storage Methods
Prevacid should be stored at room temperature. Keep Prevacid and all medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Prevacid?
If you do not take your Prevacid as scheduled, take your next scheduled dose at its scheduled time. Never take a double dose!
Prevacid: Forms and Strengths
Prevacid comes in a number of forms, including:
- Prevacid Delayed-Release Capsule
- Prevacid Delayed-Release Oral Suspension (liquid)
- Prevacid SoluTab, which are delayed-release disintegrating tablets.
Prevacid comes in a number of strengths, which include:
- Prevacid 15 mg
- Prevacid 30 mg.
Is There a Generic Version of Prevacid?
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