Prevacid

Prevacid is an antisecretory medication used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. It contains the drug lansoprazole. It belongs to the group of peptic ulcer medications called proton pump inhibitors. H+, K+-ATPase is called the proton pump. It helps in the secretion of acid from the stomach glands. The PPIs decrease gastric acid secretion through inhibition of H+, K+-ATPase. There are five PPI approved by FDA for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and Prevacid which contains Lansoprazole is one of them. It was first approved by FDA in 1995 and is marketed by TAP pharmaceuticals. A number of different companies market in under various trade names.

Composition

Prevacid contains Lansoprazole. It is available as delayed release capsules. Lansoprazole is available as 15 mg and 30 mg delayed release capsules. Each packet of Prilosec For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension contains either 2.8 mg or 11.2 mg of omeprazole magnesium (equivalent to 2.5 mg or 10 mg of omeprazole), in the form of enteric-coated granules

Indications

Prevacid is prescribed in patients in whom there is increased secretion of acid in the stomach. The various conditions which are associated with hyperacidity are:

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• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Duodenal ulcer

Other indications include:

• Gastric ulcer
• Maintenance therapy for GERD
• Zollinger Ellison Syndrome
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia
• Systemic mastocytosis

Dosage

Prevacid delayed-release capsules should be taken before meals. The dosage recommendation for adults is:

• Treatment of Erosive Esophagitis - 15 mg given once daily for up to 8 weeks. For those patients who have not healed after 8 weeks of treatment, an additonal 8 weeks therapy may be considered.
• For maintenance treatment of GERD - One 15 mg capsule to be taken once daily
• Treatment of gastric ulcer: One 30 mg capsule to be taken for 4-8 weeks
• Healing of duodenal ulcer: One 15 mg capsule to be taken once daily after the morning meal for a period of 4 weeks. A few patients may require additional course of treatment to achieve healing. For Helicobacter pylori eradication (the bacteria that causes peptic ulcer), it has to be taken along with clarithromycin and amoxicillin for 10 days.

Contraindications

Prevacid (Lansoprazole) should be avoided if the patient is allergic to lansoprazole and other PPIs.

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Side effects

The side effects of Prevacid are:

• Head ache
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• Osteoporosis
• Dizziness
• Allergic reactions
• Dry mouth

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