This first section of our medication database entry focuses on basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits, while part two covers side effects, interactions and additional information.
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Prevacid Consumer Information
PREVACID
Generic Name: lansoprazole (lan SAW pra zol)
Brand Names: Prevacid, Prevacid SoluTab
What is the most important information I should know about lansoprazole?
- Do not stop taking lansoprazole even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.
What is lansoprazole?
- Lansoprazole decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
- Lansoprazole 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.
- Lansoprazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lansoprazole?
- Before taking lansoprazole, tell your doctor if you ever have liver disease. You may not be able to take lansoprazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment..
- The 15 mg and 30 mg Prevacid SoluTabs contain 2.5 mg and 5.1 mg phenylalanine respectively per tablet. Individuals with phenylketonuria may need to monitor their intake of this additive.
- Lansoprazole is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take lansoprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
- It is not known whether lansoprazole passes into breast milk. Do not take lansoprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take lansoprazole?
- Take lansoprazole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Lansoprazole should be taken just before a meal.
- If you have difficulty swallowing, the lansoprazole capsules can be opened and the contents sprinkled onto a tablespoonful of applesauce. The pellets should be mixed with the applesauce and then swallowed immediately. The applesauce should not be hot and should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. The pellets should not be chewed or crushed. The pellet/applesauce mixture should not be stored for later use. The capsule contents can also be mixed with ENSURE pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, strained pears, or apple, orange, tomato juice and consumed immediately. If the pellets are mixed with juice, after consuming the mixture the glass should be rinsed with an additional two ounces of juice and the contents swallowed immediately. The granules must not be chewed or crushed.
- For patients who have a nasogastric tube in place, the Prevacid capsules can be opened and the intact granules mixed in 40 mL of apple juice and injected through the nasogastric tube into the stomach. After administering the granules, the nasogastric tube should be flushed with additional apple juice to clear the tube.
- Each packet of Prevacid for Delayed-Release Oral Suspension should be emptied into a container containing 2 tablespoons of water. Stir well and drink the mixture immediately. Do not crush or chew the granules. After drinking the mixture, add more water, stir, and drink immediately. Do not use other liquids or foods to mix the contents of the package.
- The Prevacid SoluTabs should be placed on the tongue and allowed to disintegrate with or without water until the particles can be swallowed. The Prevacid SoluTabs are not designed to be swallowed intact or chewed. The tablet typically disintegrates in less than one minute.
- Do not stop taking lansoprazole even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.
- Your doctor may want to schedule tests or appointments to monitor your treatment with lansoprazole.
- Store lansoprazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless your doctor directs otherwise.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
- Symptoms of an lansoprazole overdose are unknown.
What should I avoid while taking lansoprazole?
- There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while taking lansoprazole, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Please see the end of this document for relevant limitations, full details of our medication information supplier, and revision date or version number.