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General Information on Prevacid

People suffering from hyper-acidity of the stomach and frequent heartburn are generally prescribed Prevacid to decrease acid levels in the stomach. Prevacid is composed of Lansoprazle, a drug belonging to the group of proton pump inhibitors. Prevacid is also prescribed for the treatment of ulcer formations in the intestine and can come handy to provide relief from esophageal damage due to acidity. It is a prescription drug which can be taken orally as capsules.

Side Effects of Using Prevacid

Prevacid has been known to show a number of varying side effects with every user. The common complaints that accompany Prevacid usage are bloating, constipation and diarrhea associated with clostridium difficile. Stomach pains, Vitamin B-12 deficiency, sore tongue, physical weakness and numbness in the hands and feet are some of the rarer symptoms associated with Prevacid usage.

Serious reactions to Prevacid are not common. There may be rash outbreaks, itching, swelling and breathing trouble along with dizziness in some people taking Prevacid. This is due to an allergy to the active ingredient lansoprazle, which is the main constituent of the medicine.

Proton-pump inhibitors such as Lansoprazle are often the cause of hip fractures, and frequent use can lead to an increased risk of pneumonia. A person who takes this medicine should take appropriate precautions to prevent such incidences.

Precautions

As mentioned above, Lansoprazle in Prevacid can put you at risk of hip fractures. Patients prescribed Prevacid should inform their doctors of any pre-existing calcium deficiency or osteoporosis problem. Those suffering from liver disease or stomach disorders should also inform their doctors beforehand. In case the use of Prevacid causes heartburn, dizziness, body aches or sudden weight loss, the doctor should be informed immediately. Pregnant women should buy Prevacid only if the acidity condition is serious. Whether or not this drug passes into breast milk is not known, but it is better not to take chances.

Prevacid Dosage

Prevacid is available as a delayed release capsule. They disintegrate orally and are available in Prevacid 15mg and Prevacid 30mg doses. The capsules are usually taken before meals and should be used only once within twenty four hours. A course of Prevacid typically runs for 14 days. You should wait for four months between courses to prevent damage due to the overuse of Prevacid.

Interactions of Prevacid

Ingestion of Prevacid can hamper the effectiveness of a few drugs that are absorbed by stomach acids. Ampicillin, azole antifungals, and iron supplements are all absorbed by stomach acids, and in case you are using one of these, your doctor should know about it. Prevacid may also keep Digoxin from being absorbed into your bloodstream. Consult your doctor if you are on Digoxin, but do not stop or start any drug without your doctor’s approval, as doing so may cause more harm than good.

If you are using Sucralfate, it can prevent Prevacid from working properly. The common option is to provide a gap of thirty minutes between Sucralfate use and Prevacid. However, it is best to leave such decisions to the doctor instead of experimenting with self-medication.