Prevacid

Prevacid

     * Generic Name: lansoprazole
     * Brand Name: Prevacid


     * What is lansoprazole?
     * What are the possible side effects of lansoprazole?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       lansoprazole?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       lansoprazole?
     * How should I take lansoprazole?
     * What happens if I miss a dose?
     * What happens if I overdose?
     * What should I avoid while taking lansoprazole?
     * What other drugs will affect lansoprazole?
     * Where can I get more information?

What is lansoprazole?

   Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor. 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.

   Over-the-counter lansoprazole (Prevacid OTC) is used to treat
   frequent heartburn that happens 2 or more days per week.

   Lansoprazole is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

   Lansoprazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this
   medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of lansoprazole?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
     * new or unusual pain in your wrist, back, hip, or thigh;
     * a seizure (convulsions);
     * irregular heartbeats;
     * kidney problems--little or no urination, blood in your urine,
       swelling, rapid weight gain; or
     * new or worsening symptoms of lupus--joint pain, and a skin rash
       on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.

   Common side effects may include:
     * nausea, stomach pain;
     * diarrhea, constipation; or
     * headache.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about lansoprazole?

   Lansoprazole can cause kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you are
   urinating less than usual, or if you have blood in your urine.

   This medicine can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new
   infection. Call your doctor if you have diarrhea that is watery or has
   blood in it.

   Taking a proton pump inhibitor such as lansoprazole may increase your
   risk of bone fracture in the hip, wrist, or spine.

   Prevacid Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Heartburn:Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid

   Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow
   Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions

   Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the GERD Quiz

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lansoprazole?

   Heartburn can mimic early symptoms of a heart attack. Get emergency
   medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or
   shoulder and you feel anxious or light-headed.

   You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to lansoprazole,
   or if you take any medicine that contains rilpivirine (Edurant,
   Complera, Odefsey).

   Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
     * liver disease;
     * lupus;
     * low levels of magnesium in your blood; or
     * osteoporosis or low bone mineral density (osteopenia).

   Do not use over-the-counter lansoprazole (Prevacid OTC) without the
   advice of a doctor if you have:
     * trouble or pain with swallowing;
     * bloody or black stools; vomit that looks like blood or
       coffee grounds;
     * heartburn that has lasted for over 3 months;
     * frequent chest pain, heartburn with wheezing;
     * unexplained weight loss;
     * nausea or vomiting, stomach pain; or
     * an electrolyte imbalance or metabolic disorder.

   Some forms of lansoprazole may contain phenylalanine. Tell your
   doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

   Taking a proton pump inhibitor such as lansoprazole may increase your
   risk of bone fracture in the hip, wrist, or spine. This effect has
   occurred mostly in people who have taken the medication long term or at
   high doses, and in those who are age 50 and older. It is not clear
   whether lansoprazole is the actual cause of an increased risk of
   fracture.

   Some conditions are treated with a combination of lansoprazole and
   antibiotics. Use all medications as directed by your doctor

   Do not give lansoprazole to a child younger than 1 year old. Prevacid
   OTC is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

   Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or
   breast-feeding.

How should I take lansoprazole?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all
   medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as
   directed.

   Lansoprazole is usually taken before eating. Prevacid OTC should be
   taken in the morning before you eat breakfast.

   Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the
   dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a
   kitchen spoon).

   Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

   Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you
   are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and
   allow it to dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the
   tablet dissolves.

   Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your
   medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these
   instructions.

   Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your
   symptoms quickly improve.

   Prevacid OTC should be taken only once daily for 14 days. It may take
   up to 4 days for full effect. Allow at least 4 months to pass before
   you start another 14-day treatment with Prevacid OTC.

   Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse
   while you are taking lansoprazole. If you take Prevacid OTC, call your
   doctor if your heartburn gets worse over the 14-day treatment, or if
   you need treatment more than once every 4 months.

   If you use lansoprazole for longer than 3 years, you could develop a
   vitamin B-12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor about how to manage this
   condition if you develop it.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not
   freeze the liquid medicine.

   Prevacid Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Heartburn:Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid

   Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow
   Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions

   Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the GERD Quiz

What happens if I miss a dose?

   Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is
   almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking lansoprazole?

   This medicine can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new
   infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your
   doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

What other drugs will affect lansoprazole?

   Sucralfate (Carafate) can make it harder for your body to
   absorb lansoprazole. Wait at least 30 minutes after taking
   lansoprazole before you take sucralfate.

   Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time.
   Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which
   may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

   Many drugs can affect lansoprazole, and some drugs should not be used
   at the same time. This includes prescription and over-the-counter
   medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions
   are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and
   any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about lansoprazole.
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