Lansoprazole (generic Prevacid)

Uses

Lansoprazole is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent cough. This medication helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus. Lansoprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

How to use Prevacid

Read the Medication Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking lansoprazole and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily, before a meal. Dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Children’s dosage is also based on age and weight.

Handle the tablet with dry hands. Place the tablet on your tongue and let it disintegrate. This takes less than 1 minute. Swallow the remaining particles with or without water. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet or particles.

If you have trouble swallowing the tablet, you may dissolve it in water and take the mixture by mouth through an oral syringe. Place a tablet in an oral syringe and draw up the correct amount of water for your dose (4 milliliters for a 15-milligram tablet, or 10 milliliters for a 30-milligram tablet) into the syringe. Shake the syringe gently to break apart the tablet, then swallow the liquid within 15 minutes. To make sure that you have taken the entire dose, refill the syringe with water (2 milliliters for the 15-milligram tablet, or 5 milliliters for the 30-milligram tablet), shake again, and swallow all of the liquid. Do not prepare the liquid mixture ahead of time for later use. Doing so may destroy the drug.

If you are giving this medication through a tube into the stomach (nasogastric tube), ask your health care professional for detailed instructions on how to properly mix and give it.

If needed, antacids may be taken along with this medication. If you are also taking sucralfate, take lansoprazole at least 30 minutes before sucralfate.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Continue to take this medication for the prescribed length of treatment even if you are feeling better.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. The risk of side effects goes up over time. Ask your doctor how long you should take this medication.

Information on this medication quoted from WebMD.com