Prevacid

medication information

Do not stop taking Prevacid even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.

Prevacid decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Prevacid 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.

Prevacid may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guid

how to take this medication

Take Prevacid 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.

Prevacid should be taken just before a meal.

If you have difficulty swallowing, the Prevacid 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.

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.

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.

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.

Do not stop taking Prevacid even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated

Your doctor may want to schedule tests or appointments to monitor your treatment with Prevacid.

side effects

Serious side effects from Prevacid are not common. Stop taking Prevacid 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 Prevacid 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.

precautions

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while taking Prevacid, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of an Prevacid overdose are unknown

notes

Your pharmacist has additional information about Prevacid written for health professionals that you may read.

missed dosage

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.