Prevacid Oral - LANSOPRAZOLE DELAYED - RELEASE

Uses 
Lansoprazole works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It is used to treat acid-related stomach and throat (esophagus) problems (e.g., acid reflux or GERD, ulcers, erosive esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). Decreasing excess stomach acid can help relieve symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, persistent cough, and trouble sleeping. It can also prevent serious acid damage to your digestive system (e.g., ulcers, cancer of the esophagus).

Lansoprazole may also be used to treat ulcers due to the long-term use of certain drugs for pain or swelling (NSAIDs-nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). In addition, this medication may be used in combination with antibiotics to treat certain types of ulcers caused by bacterial infection.

How to use Prevacid Oral

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily, before a meal; or as directed by your doctor. Place the tablet on your tongue. It will break apart in less than 1 minute, with or without water. Swallow the tablet bits. Do not crush or chew the tablet.

If you have trouble swallowing the tablet, you may dissolve it in water and take the liquid through an oral syringe. Place a tablet in an oral syringe and draw the correct amount of water for your dose (4 milliliters for a 15-milligram tablet, or 10 milliliters for a 30-milligram tablet) into the syringe. Shake the syringe gently to break apart the tablet, then take all of the liquid within 15 minutes. To make sure that you have taken all the medication, draw more water into the syringe (2 milliliters for the 15-milligram tablet, or 5 milliliters for the 30-milligram tablet), shake again, and take all of the liquid. Do not prepare the liquid solution in advance. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Antacids may be taken along with this medication, if needed.

The dosage and length of treatment is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. Continue to take this medication for the prescribed length of treatment even if you are feeling better.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Before taking lansoprazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (e.g., omeprazole, pantoprazole); or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, other stomach problems (e.g., tumors).

Some symptoms may actually be signs of a more serious condition. Tell your doctor immediately if you have: heartburn combined with lightheadedness/sweating/dizziness, chest pain or shoulder/jaw pain (especially with trouble breathing), pain spreading to arms/neck/shoulders, unexplained weight loss.

This medicine contains aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition where you must restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the safe use of this medicine.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES:

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.

MISSED DOSE:

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:

Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product. 

Constipation or diarrhea may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if this unlikely but serious side effect occurs: stomach pain.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: signs of vitamin B-12 deficiency with long-term (over 3 years) treatment (e.g., unusual weakness, sore tongue, numbness or tingling of the hands/feet).

A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: atazanavir, nelfinavir.

If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting lansoprazole.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: cilostazol, theophylline, voriconazole, warfarin.

Lansoprazole can decrease the effectiveness of certain drugs which require stomach acid in order to be absorbed. Before using this medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist on how to manage such a potential interaction if you are taking the following drugs: ampicillin, azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole), iron supplements.

Based on information for similar drugs, lansoprazole may increase the amount of digoxin that is absorbed into your blood. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details if you also take digoxin.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.