Prevacid (Lansoprazole)

Prevacid decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Prevacid is used to treat and prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers, erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Prevacid comes as an extended-release (long-acting) capsule to take it orally. Prevacid usually is taken once a day, before a meal. Take Prevacid exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. The capsule should be swallowed whole. If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, Prevacid can be opened, and the granules can be sprinkled on applesauce and swallowed immediately. The granules should not be chewed or crushed. Continue to take Prevacid even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Prevacid without talking to your doctor.

Prevacid is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) which block the production of acid by the stomach. Other drugs in the same class include rabeprazole (Aciphex), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium). Proton pump inhibitors are used for the treatment of conditions such as ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome that are caused by stomach acid. Prevacid, like other proton-pump inhibitors, blocks the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. By blocking the enzyme, the production of acid is decreased, and this allows the stomach and esophagus to heal.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Store Prevacid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Before taking Prevacid, tell your doctor if you ever have liver disease. You may not be able to take Prevacid, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment. Prevacid is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Prevacid without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether Prevacid passes into breast milk. Do not take Prevacid without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Before taking lansoprazole, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

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

Serious side effects from Prevacid are not common. Stop taking Prevacid and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives). Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Prevacid and talk to your doctor if you experience

• diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal pain;
• dizziness; or
• headache.

If you also take sucralfate (Carafate), avoid taking it at the same time you take Prevacid. Sucralfate can make it harder for your body to absorb Prevacid. Wait at least 30 minutes after taking lansoprazole before you take sucralfate.