Prevacid Frequently Asked Questions
Generic
Name: lansoprazole (lan SAW pra zol)
Brand Names: Prevacid
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 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..
- Lansoprazole
is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it
is unlikely 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 orange or tomato juice and consumed immediately. The
granules must not be chewed or crushed.
- 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. If any material remains
after drinking, add more water, stir, and drink immediately.
Do not use other liquids or foods to mix the contents
of the package.
- Do
not stop taking lansoprazole even if you begin to feel
better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition
is fully treated.
- 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.
What are the possible
side effects of lansoprazole?
-
Serious side effects from lansoprazole are not common.
Stop taking lansoprazole 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 lansoprazole and talk to your doctor
if you experience
· diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal pain;
· dizziness; or
· headache.
- Side
effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual
or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will
affect lansoprazole?
-
Sucralfate (Carafate), which is also used to treat stomach
conditions, will decrease the amount of lansoprazole that
is absorbed through the stomach. Lansoprazole should be
taken at least 30 minutes before sucralfate to prevent
an interaction.
- Some
other medications such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), ampicillin
(Omnipen, Principen), digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), and
iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron) may have decreased
effects because lansoprazole hinders their absorption
from the stomach. Tell your doctor if you are taking any
of these medications.
- Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with lansoprazole.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
Where can I get more
information?
Your
pharmacist has additional information about lansoprazole written
for health professionals that you may read.
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