Prevacid (Generic)

This medicine is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), erosive esophagitis, or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Lansoprazole may also be used to treat ulcers due to long-term use of certain pain/anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This medicine works by blocking acid production in the stomach. It may be used in combination with antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, clarithromycin) to treat certain types of ulcers. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Take Generic Prevacid exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Generic Prevacid is usually taken before eating. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not crush or break a delayed-release Generic Prevacid capsule. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Prevacid: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Generic Prevacid and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of low magnesium:

• dizziness, confusion;
• fast or uneven heart rate;
• jerking muscle movements;
• feeling jittery;
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• muscle cramps, muscle weakness or limp feeling;
• cough or choking feeling; or
• seizure (convulsions).

Less serious Prevacid side effects may include:

• headache;
• nausea, stomach pain;
• mild diarrhea; or
• constipation.

This medication can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking Generic Prevacid and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

If you also take sucralfate (Carafate), avoid taking it at the same time you take Generic Prevacid. Sucralfate can make it harder for your body to absorb Prevacid. Wait at least 30 minutes after taking this medicine before you take sucralfate.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• ampicillin (Principen, Unasyn);
• atazanavir (Reyataz);
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
• iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others);
• ketoconazole (Nizoral);
• methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall);
• theophylline (such as Elixophyllin, Respbid, Slo-Bid, Theobid, Theoclear, Theo-Dur, Uniphyl);
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or
• a diuretic (water pill).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Generic Prevacid.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.