What Is Prevacid Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is Prevacid used for?" Prevacid is used for treating conditions in the stomach, esophagus, and intestines. More specifically, Prevacid is used to treat conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erosive esophagitis, duodenal ulcers, and Helicobacter pylori infections.

Prevacid Medication

Prevacid Uses: An Overview

Prescription

Prevacid^® (lansoprazole) has been licensed for use with a number of conditions, including:

Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Treatment of erosive esophagitis
Treatment of duodenal ulcers
Treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections
Treatment of stomach ulcers
Treatment and prevention of stomach ulcers in those people taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
Treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

Nonprescription Prevacid 24HR is approved only for the short-term treatment of heartburn in adults (see Prevacid 24HR Uses for more information).

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Erosive Esophagitis

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acids and other contents of the stomach go back into the esophagus. This can result in GERD symptoms, including the most common symptom of GERD -- heartburn. One of the complications of GERD is erosive esophagitis, which occurs when the lining of the esophagus becomes damaged by stomach acid.

Prevacid is used for treatment of GERD symptoms, including heartburn. It has also been licensed to treat erosive esophagitis. Once the esophagus has healed, Prevacid may also be used to prevent the return of erosive esophagitis.

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