Prevacid is a Proton Pump Inhibitor, Proton Pump Inhibitors work directly on active acid pumps to significantly inhibit acid production. PPIs allow just enough acid to be produced for normal digestion of food. They can provide 24-hour treatment with each pill. Prevacid is commonly used for acid reflux relief.
The indications for Prevacid include: the treatment of heartburn and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and to assist the healing, symptom relief and maintenance of healed erosive esophagitis, a condition in which the lining of the esophagus has been damaged. Controlled studies for maintenance indications did not extend beyond 12 months. The most frequently reported adverse events include:
* Infrequent: dry mouth, insomnia, drowsiness, blurred vision, rash, pruritus
* Rare: taste disturbance, liver dysfunction, peripheral oedema, hypersensitivity reactions (including bronchospasm, urinary, angioedema, anaphylaxis), photosensitivity, fever, sweating, depression, interstitial nephritis, blood disorders (including leukopenia, leukocytosis, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia), arthralgia, myalgia, skin reactions (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, bullous eruption)
* Severe: Gastro-intestinal disturbances (such as nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Preparations: Capsules: 15 and 30 mg. Oral suspension: in 15 and 30 mg unit dose cartons of 30. Prevacid also is available in 15 and 30 mg tablets that disintegrate when placed under the tongue (Prevacid SoluTab). Prevacid is available for intravenous injection in vials containing 30 mg of powdered lansoprazole (30 mg/5 ml when mixed with sterile water).
Prevacid, like other proton-pump inhibitors, blocks the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. By blocking the enzyme, the production of acid is decreased, and this allows the esophagus to heal resulting in acid reflux relief.
Dosing: For the treatment of GERD, the recommended initial treatment is 15 mg for up to 8 weeks. For maintaining healing (long-term) in GERD the recommended treatment is 15 mg daily. For initial treatment of severe(erosive) esophagitis, the recommended dose for adults is 30 mg daily for 4-8 weeks. It is recommended that capsules be taken before meals for maximum effect. Capsules should be swallowed whole and should not be crushed, split or chewed.
Prevacid for acid reflux relief in children:
Recurrent vomiting, stomach pain, coughing, wheezing and difficulty swallowing are all symptoms of pediatric GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
If a child has GERD, Prevacid is the treatment that can help relieve the painful symptoms and heal the damage (sores, also called erosions) to the child's esophagus.
Treating kids GERD with Prevacid
Prevacid is the only medicine in its class approved for use in children with GERD (acid reflux disease) as young as 12 months of age. The same Prevacid has been used to treat millions of adults with GERD.
Prevacid is easy to take. Prevacid is taken once a day before a meal. If Prevacid is right for your child, your healthcare provider will tell you how much Prevacid your child should take each day and for how long it needs to be taken. Treatment with Prevacid usually lasts 8 or 12 weeks, depending on your child's age. If Prevacid is not taken every day as prescribed, it may not heal the damage to your child's esophagus.
There are lots of ways to give your child Prevacid. Children have different needs when it comes to taking medicine. That's why there are more ways for your child to take Prevacid than any other medicine like it. Prevacid® SoluTab™ (lansoprazole) is a strawberry-flavored tablet that melts in your child's mouth. No water, no messy spills—easy for them and easy for you!