Prevacid (lansoprazole) is a widely-recognized treatment for acid reflux disease and other disorders resulting from production of excess stomach acid.

This product does not replace fast-acting heartburn relief products. It is safe to continue taking fast-acting antacids as needed.

Who Uses Prevacid?

This medication is used to treat a number of conditions resulting from excessive production of stomach acid:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition to alleviating the symptoms of GERD, the reduced production of stomach acid allows the esophagus to heal and prevents further esophagus damage from occurring.
• Stomach or intestinal ulcers. Reduced acid production helps prevent recurrence of healed ulcers, as well as inhibits ulcer development in patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It may also be used in combination with one or more other medications to treat and prevent ulcers resulting from bacteria.
• Excessive acid production. Some conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, are successfully treated with proton pump inhibitors.
• Frequent heartburn. While it does not provide immediate relief, use of this product can help control chronic heartburn over the long run.

How does it Work?

Prevacid is a proton pump inhibitor. Like other drugs in its class, it inhibits the production of stomach acid.

How is it Taken?

This product is available in time-release capsules, gelatin capsules, and orally dissolving tablets. It is typically taken once per day; unless it is being taken to treat bacterial ulcers, in which physician instructions should be followed. It should be taken at the same time each day with food.

If a dose is missed it can be skipped and the next dose taken at the regular time, unless otherwise instructed by a doctor.

Duration of treatment depends on the condition being treated. For frequent heartburn or GERD duration is usually two to twelve weeks, and may be repeated every four to six months if needed.

Tablets and capsules should not be cut, chewed, or crushed.

Sucralfate should not be taken within 30 minutes of taking Prevacid.

Prevacid does not replace fast-acting heartburn relief products. It may take several days before the effects are felt. It is safe to take antacids as needed for heartburn while taking this product.

Ingredients:

Delayed-release capsules: lansoprazole, sugar sphere, polyethylene glycol, silicon dioxide, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, sucrose, colloidal magnesium carbonate, polysorbate 80, methacrylic acid copolymer, titanium dioxide, talc, hydroxypropyl cellulose, starch.

Gelatin capsules additionally contain: D&C red no. 28, FD&C blue no. 1, FD&C green no. 3, FD&C red no. 40, titanium dioxide, gelatin.

Orally disintegrating tablets may contain aspartame.

Adverse Effects:

All medications carry some risk of side effects. The most common side effects from this medication are mild:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Constipation

Allergic reactions are less common but warrant immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, and severe rash or hives.

Contraindications and Interactions:

There are no known contraindications other than in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.

Mixing Prevacid with other prescription or non-prescription drugs may interfere with the effectiveness of one or more of the medications. A physician should always be consulted before starting or modifying a treatment strategy.

A partial list of medications (by generic names) known to interact with this and other proton pump inhibitors includes:

• Ampicillin
• Atazanavir
• Clopidogrel
• Digoxin
• Ketoconazole
• Blood thinners
• Diuretics
• Iron
• Theophylline

Why Prevacid?

Prevacid is a widely-recognized and trusted brand name which delivers a consistently high-quality product. Recommended by physicians around the world, this product has been proven safe and effective for promoting long-term relief of chronic heartburn, GERD symptoms, and ulcer healing and prevention.