About Prevacid

Prevacid, known under the generic name of lansoprazole, is a prescription medication that blocks acid formation in the stomach. The drug can be combined with such antibiotics as clarithromycin and amoxicillin to treat ulcers.

Uses or Indications

Prevacid is meant to prevent erosive esophagitis, intestinal and stomach ulcers, as well as other conditions which involve excessive amount of acid in the stomach, for example, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Besides, Prevacid is prescribed to treat duodenal ulcer provoked by the H. pylori infection.

How to Take Prevacid

Use Prevacid exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Basically the drug is taken one time a day, better before a meal. Swallow the whole capsule, but once you have difficulties, you can open the capsule and mix the granules with applesauce. Swallow the mixture immediately, without crushing or chewing. Keep on taking the medication until the doctors tells otherwise.

Possible Side Effects

Taking Prevacid doesn`t imply serious Side Effects. You should seek medical assistance as soon as possible if you notice an allergic reaction, like swelling of the tongue, lips and face, difficulty in breathing and swallowing and hives. Other possible Side Effects include constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain and headache.

Drug Precautions

• In case you suffer from liver disease, check with your doctor before taking Prevacid. You may be prescribed to pass a complete blood test first.
• The drug belongs to the FDA pregnancy category B, that is Prevacid is unlikely to be harmful to the unborn baby. If the patient is pregnant, she shouldn`t take this drug without talking to the doctor beforehand. There is no medical evidence that Prevacid appears in breast milk, however this hasn`t been tested properly yet. That is why, in case you are breastfeeding a baby, don`t take Prevacid without first consulting with your doctor.

Drug Interaction

Consult with your doctor if you need to take Prevacid with such medications as Iron salts, Sucralfate, Ampicillin Digoxin, Warfarin, Ketoconazole and Theophylline. Avoid Prevacid if you`re taking terfenadine, cisapride, pimozide or astemizole. Mixing Prevacid with these drugs could be dangerous and even fatal as it could lead to serious heartbeat irregularities.

Missed Dose

If you occasionally missed a dose of Prevacid, skip it and then resume your normal schedule. Don`t take 2 doses at the same time: it may be dangerous for your health.

Overdose

There is no known overdose problem. Still, no medication should be taken in excess. Seek medical attention as soon as an overdose is suspected.

Storage

Store at room temperature with a container tightly closed and away from moisture.