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Drug Uses
Prevacid is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Prevacid is also used to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers in patients using anti-inflammatory medications. Prevacid works by reducing the amount of acid manufactured in the stomach.

Dosage
Prevacid is available in a slow-release oral capsule and a slow-release oral suspension. Always use Prevacid in accordance with a doctor’s directions. Prevacid should be taken before meals. If you have difficulty in swallowing the capsule, you may gently open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto a tablespoon of sauce or two ounces of tomato juice. Swallow immediately – do not crush or chew the granules. If you are using the oral suspension, empty the specified dose into a glass filled with two tablespoons of water, stir well and swallow immediately.

During treatment with Prevacid you may use antacids and medications containing sucralfate (Carafate) as long as you take the dose of Prevacid at least 30 minutes before using Carafate.

ADULTS:
Duodenal Ulcer: The usual dose is 15mg a day for four weeks. To prevent relapse, take 15mg once a day. To eradicate ulcer-causing bacteria, Prevacid is usually taken with amoxicillin and/or biaxin. When combined with amoxicillin only, the usual dose is 30mg of Prevacid and 1g of amoxicillin three times a day for 14 days. If amoxicillin and biaxin are used with Prevacid, the usual dose is 30mg of Prevacid, 1g of amoxicillin and 500g of biaxin twice a day for 10-14 days.

Stomach Ulcer: The usual dose is 30mg a day for up to eight weeks.

Prevention of Stomach Ulcer caused by Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: The usual dose is 15mg a day for up to 12 weeks.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: The usual dose is 15mg a day for up to eight weeks.

Erosive Esophagitis: The usual dose is 30mg a day for up to eight weeks. Depending on your response to treatment, your doctor may increase the duration of treatment by an additional eight weeks.

Other Excess Acid Conditions including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: The usual starting dose is 60mg a day. Depending on your response, the doctor may wish to increase the dosage. Doses of more than 120mg should be divided into smaller doses. If you have severe liver disease, your doctor will adjust the dose accordingly.

To achieve successful results, you will need to take Prevacid for the full course as prescribed by your doctor. Do not discontinue taking Prevacid without your doctor’s permission even if there is a significant improvement in your condition.

Missed Dose
If a dose is missed, it can be taken as soon as you remember, as long as it does not clash with the next scheduled dose. In this case, rather skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose.


Precautions
People who have experienced an allergic reaction to any component of Prevacid should not use this medication.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding, before using Prevacid. It is not yet known if Prevacid can harm an unborn fetus, or if Prevacid is passed into breast milk. If treatment with Prevacid is essential to your health, your should tell you to stop breast-feeding during treatment.

The safety and effectiveness of Prevacid have not yet been established in children.

Side-effects
Common side-effects include diarrhea, constipation and stomach pain. Less common symptoms include allergic reactions, hypertension and migraine headaches. If any of these symptoms persist, or get worse, contact your doctor.

Storage
Prevacid should be stored in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and moisture.

Overdose
Incidence of overdose with Prevacid are rare. However, if overdose is suspected, call for emergency assistance immediately.