Prevacid and its uses

Prevacid (Lansoprazole) is a proton-pump inhibitor, which prevents the stomach from producing gastric acid and due to its mechanism of action it is used in short and/or long-term treatments of various ulcers, GERD, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, and (together with antibiotics) Helicobacter pylori infection.

The medication's main ingredient is Lansoprazole and the drug is sold under various other brand names such as Zoton, Helicid, Inhibitol, and Monolitum. Prevacid is sold as prescription and over the counter tablets in some countries and since 2009, generics have been available and are sold under various labels as well.

The dosage varies from one patient to another and depends on the targeted condition; for duodenal ulcers, Prevacid is prescribed once daily for four weeks, as a short-term treatment of benign gastric ulcer, the medication is prescribed once daily for up to eight weeks, and for GERD, the pills are, again, given once daily for up to eight weeks.

However, it is up to the treating physician to decide on the proper dose and the duration of the treatment.

Safety Information/ Warning Precautions

Prior to taking Prevacid, you should speak to your doctor and let him decide if the medication is safe for you. Prior to using over the counter Prevacid, speak to your physician if you have liver or kidney disorders, trouble swallowing, frequent chest pain, and other health problems.

The medication is known to react with other drugs and it should not be co-administered with atazanavir; it also reduces the absorption of antifungals, its reaction with Cilostazol could produce toxicity, and the drugs that reduce the absorption of Prevacid are sucralfate, ampicillin, bisacodyl, delavirdine, iron salts, voriconazole, and a few others.

Read the patient's information leaflet that comes with the pills to find out about all possible interactions, precautions, and adverse reactions. Some studies have suggested that PPI therapies could lead to higher risk of osteoporosis related fractures of the wrist, hip, or spine.

Symptomatic and asymptomatic Hypomagnesemia has been reported in patients, treated with PPI for over a year. In order to stay safe, you should take the medication exactly as your doctor has prescribed, for as long as needed, and in case of overdosing or severe side effects, you should seek medical attention at once.

Side Effects

The most commonly reported side effects of Prevacid are insomnia, dry mouth, drowsiness, prurituis (desire to scratch), rash, and blurred vision.

During clinical trials, constipation and diarrhea have been observed in 1.0% and 3.8% of the subjects, compared to 0.4% and 2.3% in subjects, taking placebo.

Amongst the adverse reactions, which are rare, but possible are taste disturbance, peripheral oedema, liver dysfunction, hypersensitivity reactions, depression, interstitial nephritis, fever, sweating, arthralgia, and skin reactions.

For full list of the possible side effects, see the insert and in case of any severe or persistent side effects, stop taking the medication, and call your doctor immediately.