Prevacid (Lansoprazole)

What is Prevacid?

Prevacid (lansoprazole) belongs to a class of compounds called the substituted benzimidazoles that inhibit gastric acid secretion. Being a member of the group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), Prevacid decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

What is Prevacid used for?

Prevacid is used to prevent and treat intestinal and stomach ulcers, erosive esophagitis and other conditions that involve excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

How does Prevacid work?

The active ingredient in Prevacid, substituted benzimidazoles suppress gastric acid secretion by specific inhibition of the (H+, K+)-ATPase enzyme system.  Prevacid decreases the amount of acid in stomach by blocking the final steps of acid production sites.

How to use Prevacid

Take Prevacid with a full glass of water, before eating. Do not crush or chew the Prevacid capsule. Swallow it. You can also take the Prevacid dose by opening the capsule and sprinkling it into a spoonful of yoghurt, pudding, or a nutritional drink. Swallow the mixture right away.

Another way to take Prevacid is to dissolve it in ¼ cup of orange juice, apple juice, or tomato juice. You can also dissolve the oral granules of Prevacid in 2 tablespoons of water. If you want to take Prevacid orally, you may take it with an oral syringe or through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube.

Prevacid warnings and precautions

Do not take Prevacid if you are allergic to lansoprazole or have any type of liver disease. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria as some forms of Prevacid may contain phenylalanine. Do not change your Prevacid medication schedule without consulting your doctor.

If you take sucralfate (Carafate), keep a gap of at least 30 minutes after taking Prevacid. While you are on a Prevacid dose, consult your doctor before planning or breast-feeding your baby. Do not give Prevacid to infants.

What do I do if I have missed a Prevacid dose?

If you have missed your Prevacid dose you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember but do not take it if it is time for your next dose.

What do I do if I have taken a Prevacid overdose?

If you have taken a Prevacid overdose you should seek medical attention.

Prevacid interactions

Before starting with the Prevacid dose, tell your doctor if you use any of the following drugs:

• atazanavir (Reyataz)
• ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen)
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• clopidogrel (Plavix)
• theophylline (such as Respbid, Theobid, Slo-Bid, Elixophyllin, Theoclear, Theo-Dur, Uniphyl)
• iron (Mol-Iron, Feosol, Femiron, Fergon, others)
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)

Do not start taking a new medicine without consulting your doctor.

Prevacid side effects

Prevacid side effects include swelling of face, tongue, lips or throat; breathing difficulty; and other allergic reactions. If you get any of these side effects after using Prevacid, contact your doctor.

Headache, diarrhea, nausea and problems with stomach such as stomach pain and constipation are also side effects from Prevacid.