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Generic Name: lansoprazole (lan SAW pra zol)
Brand Names:
Prevacid, Prevacid SoluTab |
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What is the most important information I should know about
lansoprazole? |
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Do not stop taking lansoprazole even if you begin to feel better. Your
symptoms may improve before the condition is fully
treated. |
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Lansoprazole decreases the amount of acid produced in the
stomach. |
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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. |
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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? |
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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.. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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? |
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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. |
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Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
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Lansoprazole should be taken just before a meal. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Do not stop taking lansoprazole even if you begin to feel better. Your
symptoms may improve before the condition is fully
treated. |
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Your doctor may want to schedule tests or appointments to monitor your
treatment with lansoprazole. |
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Store lansoprazole at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose? |
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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? |
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected. |
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Symptoms of an lansoprazole overdose are unknown. |
What should I avoid while taking
lansoprazole? |
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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? |
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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). |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take lansoprazole and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
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diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal pain; |
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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? |
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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. |
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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. |
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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? |
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Your pharmacist has additional information about lansoprazole written for
health professionals that you may
read. | |
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