Prevacid

Pronounced: PREH-va-sid
Generic name: Lansoprazole

Why is Prevacid prescribed?

Prevacid blocks the production of stomach acid. It is prescribed for the short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks) of the following:

• Stomach ulcer
• Duodenal ulcer (near the exit from the stomach)
• Erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
• Heartburn and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (also known as GERD, which occurs when stomach acid backs up into the tube connecting the throat to the stomach).

Once a duodenal ulcer or case of esophagitis has cleared up, the doctor may continue prescribing Prevacid to prevent a relapse. Prevacid is also prescribed to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers in people who develop this problem while taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, and Naprosyn. The drug is also used for long-term treatment of certain diseases marked by excessive acid production, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Prevacid is also prescribed as part of a combination treatment to eliminate the H. pylori infection that causes most cases of duodenal ulcer.

Most important fact about Prevacid

To relieve your symptoms and to heal your ulcer, you need to take Prevacid for the full time of treatment your doctor prescribes. Keep taking the drug even if you begin to feel better, and be sure to keep your appointments with your doctor.

How should you take Prevacid?

Prevacid should be taken before meals. If you're using the regular delayed-release capsules and you're having trouble swallowing them, you can sprinkle the contents on a tablespoon of applesauce; swallow immediately without chewing or crushing the granules. You can also mix the granules with 2 ounces of orange juice or tomato juice. (Rinse the glass with an additional 4 ounces of juice to make sure you get the entire dose.)

You can also use delayed-release Prevacid SoluTabs, which are orally disintegrating tablets. Each tablet should be placed on the tongue, where it will dissolve in about 1 minute. The dissolved particles can be swallowed with or without water. The SoluTabs should not be chewed or swallowed whole. If you or your child has trouble swallowing the SoluTabs, you have the option of dissolving the tablet in water and administering the solution with an oral syringe or through a nasogastric tube. For specific instructions, talk to your doctor. The general steps are as follows: