What is Prevacid Solutab (Lansoprazole)?

Prevacid Solutab, also known as, Lansoprazole, is used to prevent or treat stomach and intestinal ulcers. Any conditions where excessive stomach acid is a concern may have this medication prescribed. Chronic heartburn, active gastric ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) are examples of conditions receiving this prescription. This medication does not provide immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Prevacid Solutab
Prevacid Solutab
Lansoprazole
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Select product strength & quantity:

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Shipped from Canada.

Prescription Required.Product of Canada.Shipped from Canada.

What is Prevacid Solutab (Lansoprazole)?

Prevacid Solutab, also known as, Lansoprazole, is used to prevent or treat stomach and intestinal ulcers. Any conditions where excessive stomach acid is a concern may have this medication prescribed. Chronic heartburn, active gastric ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) are examples of conditions receiving this prescription. This medication does not provide immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

How Lansoprazole works

Lansoprazole blocks the final step in the stomach’s production of gastric acid. This drug accomplishes this by suppressing the enzyme system in the stomach’s lining. The enzyme system is called an “acid pump” or “proton pump.” This is why lansoprazole is also called a proton pump inhibitor(PPI). Within one to two hours, the stomach’s acid level is measurably lower with 30mg of Prevacid.

Storage, dosage, and how to use Lansoprazole

Prevacid Solutab comes in liquid form, capsules, and tablets. Do not freeze the oral suspension Prevacid Solutab. Capsules and tablets come in 15mg and 30mg doses. Keep the bottles at room temperature and away from any possible heat, moisture and light.

The first dose of the day is taken before eating, preferably in the morning before eating breakfast. Shake the liquid before measuring the dose. Use the provided dosing syringe. Or use another precise dose-measuring device rather than a kitchen spoon. The dose needs to be accurate. Depending on the diagnosis treated, the Provider writes the dosing. Dosing is typically 15mg once a day before the first meal, for eight weeks.

Swallow the capsules and tablets whole, do not crush, chew, break, or open them.

Remove the orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you can take it immediately. Allow the tablet to dissolve inside the mouth. Do not chew. Swallow as many times as necessary as the tablet continues to dissolve.

Side Effects

Common side effects are:

  • dizziness
  • headache
  • mild nausea
  • belching
  • swollen joints
  • reddish irritated skin patches
  • bad breath
  • change in taste
  • pins and needles

Call your provider immediately if you have the following serious side effects:

  • nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
  • watery or bloody diarrhea, constipation
  • headache
  • increased or decreased appetite
  • new or worsening joint pain
  • dizziness when getting up quickly
  • sweating
  • irregular or rapid heart rate
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • rectal bleeding
  • seizures
  • fever
  • new or worsening symptoms of lupus – skin rash on cheeks/arms worse in sunlight
  • little or no urination, blood in urine
  • tremors, shaking, or jerking muscle movements
  • low magnesium symptoms – especially dizziness
  • feeling jittery
  • muscle cramps
  • rapid weight gain

Warnings & Precautions

WARNING – Heartburn mimics early heart attacks symptoms. Contact emergency services if you experience chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder. Also get emergency help if you begin to feel anxious, lightheaded, or have difficulty breathing.

WARNING – Experiencing a positive result of using Prevacid, does not mean the problem’s source is resolved. Follow up tests for gastric ulcers and cancer are advised.

KIDNEY

Because body fluid levels are influenced by how foods digest, some patients may hold fluids. Bodily fluid may cause uncomfortable symptoms, like swelling, or create conditions that enable bacteria growth in the kidney or bladder. A small number of patient develop chronic kidney conditions. For this reason, the FDA’s position statement is to only use Lansoprazole as indicated and prescribed. Do not use PPIs for simple heartburn or indigestion.

DIARRHEA

Prevacid, and other medicines like it, are associated with a severe diarrhea caused by bacteria called Clostridium difficile. Call the prescribing Provider if watery or bloody diarrhea occurs. Discontinue use of Prevacid until further labs are completed.

LUPUS

In some cases, Prevacid may cause worsening symptoms of Lupus. Report joint pain and a skin rash on cheeks and arms that worsens in sunlight.

OSTEOPOROSIS

When taking Prevacid Solutab long term or more than once a day, your bones may break more easily.

VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY

Long term use of Prevacid/Lansoprazole can lead to B12 deficiency. Because the stomach’s acidity is decreased, the stomach is unable to absorb this necessary vitamin from food. Long term use is three years or more.

MAGNESIUM AND MINERAL DEFICIENCY

Long term use of Prevacid may cause low levels of Magnesium and minerals.

OTHER

If any of the following conditions are in your health history, tell the Prescribing Provider:

  • liver disease
  • lupus
  • low blood levels of magnesium
  • osteoporosis or osteopenia

Do NOT use Prevacid without the advice of a doctor, if you have or have ever had:

  • trouble or pain with swallowing
  • bloody or black stools
  • vomit that looks like blood or coffee grinds
  • heartburn lasting more than 3 months
  • frequent chest pain
  • heartburn with wheezing
  • unexplained weight loss
  • nausea or vomiting
  • stomach pain
  • electrolyte imbalance or metabolic disorder

Short-term use of lansoprazole causes few side effects. Long term use of this medication is more likely to cause adverse effects.

Interactions

Do not use this drug with any medication that contains rilpivirine.

Drugs to report to the prescribing Provider before taking Lansoprazole :

  • sucralfate
  • methotrexate
  • long-term corticosteroid medications
  • other proton pump inhibitors
  • anti-HIV medications – atazanavir, rilpivirine, saquinavir, or tipranavir
  • digoxin
  • clopidogrel(Plavix)
  • tacrolimus
  • diuretics
  • any medication that lowers magnesium levels
  • anticancer medications
  • antifungal medications
  • antibiotics

Some drugs, like sucralfate, interfere with absorption of lansoprazole. Methotrexate needs to be reported to the Prescriber to monitor possible liver damage from taking both drugs at the same time. If using Prevacid for a stomach ulcer, avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

Many other drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements interfere with Prevacid. Some decrease its efficacy; others cause dangerous conditions in the body. Ginkgo biloba and St John’s wort, for example, make Prevacid less effective. Taken with warfarin, Prevacid increases bleeding and can hasten death.

Recognise that products as simple as fish oil taken with Prevacid cause unwanted side effects. The above list is not comprehensive. Review all medications, supplements, and herbs with your prescribing provider to learn what can and cannot be taken while taking Prevacid. Keep your Medication pamphlet in an easy-to-find location and read it when in doubt.

Contraindications

Prevacid Solutab – Lansoprazole should NOT be given in the following conditions:

  • pregnancy
  • presence of gastric cancer
  • phenylketonuria
  • Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis
  • Clostridium difficile diarrhea
  • bone fracture
  • severe skin reactions
  • B12 deficiency history
  • poor absorption of magnesium or minerals
  • neuroendocrine tumors
  • methotrexate therapy
  • fundic gland polyps
  • children one month to less than one year

Frequently Asked Questions

This is not recommended, because Prevacid reduces absorption of the iron salts.

No. Prevacid slows metabolism, which would increase aminophylline blood levels and result in toxicity. Discuss options with your Provider.

No. Your heartburn symptoms sound like signs of a heart attack. You should be urgently assessed by your Provider or at an urgent care to rule out possible emerging heart attack. If your heart health proves stable, be aware that using Prevacid while using digoxin increases the effect of the digoxin. Discuss alternative medications with your Provider.

Yes. This is a known adverse effect of Prevacid. Discontinue the lansoprazole. Ask your Provider for an alternative to the Prevacid if you are still having heartburn.

Yes, lansoprazole, or Prevacid, is contraindicated in pregnancy. Birth defects, especially bone defects, have been associated with its use.

No. Lansoprazole(Prevacid) is associated with reducing bone density in children from one to twelve months of age. There is an increased risk of fractures.

Yes. This medication is to prevent heartburn caused by high levels of gastric acid. So, the medication should be taken 30 – 60 minutes prior to eating.

Not in this regard. If you have experienced sensitivity to another PPI, you should share this with your Provider and ask about other medications that might work better for you.

Yes. Lansoprazole absorption is reduced when taking ketoconazole. Talk to your Provider about adjusting the dosing of these medicines or whether alternative medications should be considered.

Contact your Provider to discuss why you are using Prevacid for heartburn. Also ask whether dosages have been adjusted to minimise risks. And ask the Provider if there are safer alternatives to both of these medications.

Yes. Prevacid is associated with susceptibility to C. difficile. Contact the Provider to follow up any further instructions for this medication since having a C. difficile infection.

Discontinue the Prevacid and contact your Provider immediately. Your symptoms may be a kidney infection. Lupus patients may have an autoimmune response like this, but there is also an association of nephritis with use of lansoprazole.

Yes. Prevacid reduces the production of stomach acid. But the scheduled tests are to learn what caused your stomach to make so much acid.

I am 65 years of age. One of my doctors prescribed lansoprazole. I am uncomfortable with this because another Provider is assessing my bone density since I experienced a particularly hard peri-menopause. Should I bring this up with the Provider who is testing my bone density?

Yes. If you are at risk for fractures and bone density issues, Prevacid is NOT recommended.