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Lansoprazole
Brand
Name: Prevacid
Most
Common Medical Uses
Lansoprazole
is most commonly used to treat and prevent stomach and intestinal
ulcers, erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach
acid), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such
as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Lansoprazole may also be used for
purposes other than those listed here.
How
to Take This Medication
Take
lansoprazole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand
these instructions, ask your pharmacist or doctor to explain them
to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. lansoprazole
is usually taken before a meal. Follow your doctor's instructions.
The pellets should not be chewed or crushed.
Possible
Side Effects
Stop
taking lansoprazole and seek emergency medical attention if you
experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of
the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives). Other,
less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take lansoprazole and talk to your doctor if you experience diarrhea,
nausea, or abdominal pain, dizziness or headache. Side effects other
than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about
any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Precautions
Tell
your doctor if you have ever had liver disease prior to taking lansoprazole.
You may not be able to take lansoprazole, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment. Do not take lansoprazole
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding
a baby.
Drug
Interactions
Sucralfate
(Carafate) will decrease the amount of lansoprazole that is absorbed
through the stomach. Lansoprazole should be taken at least 30 minutes
before sucralfate to prevent an interaction. Some medications may
have decreased effects because lansoprazole hinders their absorption
from the stomach. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these
medications: ketoconazole (Nizoral), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen),
digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), and iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon,
Femiron). Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
lansoprazole. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
Missed
Dose
Take
the missed dose as soon as you remember if it is within an hour
or so of your scheduled time. If you do not remember until later,
skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not
take 2 doses at once.
Storage
Store
at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep this and all
medications out of the reach of children.
Notes
Continue
taking lansoprazole even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms
may improve before the condition is fully treated. Do not share
lansoprazole with others for whom it was not prescribed, since they
may have a problem that is not effectively treated by this drug.
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