Safely Buy Prevacid DR from Canada Prescriptions Plus.

Indications

Prevacid DR, also known as Prevacid Delayed-Release, is a medication used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems, such as acid reflux and ulcers. It belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and works by decreasing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Use and Dosage

Read the Medication Guide and, if available, the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking lansoprazole and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth before a meal as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. If you are self-treating, follow all directions on the product package. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Children’s dosage is also based on age and weight. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than directed. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not crush or chew the capsules. Swallow the medication whole. If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, you may open the capsule and sprinkle its contents on a spoonful of soft food (such as applesauce, cottage cheese, or yogurt) and swallow the mixture right away without chewing it. Or you may empty the capsule’s contents into a small amount (2 ounces or 60 millilitres) of juice, stir, and drink the mixture right away without chewing it. Then rinse the glass with more juice and drink to make sure you have taken the entire dose. Do not prepare the mixture ahead of time for later use. Doing so may destroy the drug.

If you are giving this medication through a tube into the stomach (nasogastric tube), ask your health care professional for detailed instructions on how to properly mix and give it.

If needed, antacids may be taken along with this medication. If you are also taking sucralfate, take lansoprazole at least 30 minutes before sucralfate.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Continue to take this medication for the prescribed length of treatment even if you are feeling better. If you are self-treating with the over-the-counter product, do not take it for more than 14 days unless directed by your doctor.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse. If you are self-treating, tell your doctor if your heartburn lasts after 14 days or if you need to use this medication more than once every 4 months. The risk of side effects goes up over time. Ask your doctor how long you should take this medication. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away.

Side Effects

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

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• Severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• New or unusual pain in your wrist, back, hip, or thigh
• Seizure (convulsions)
• Kidney problems – fever, nausea, little or no urination, blood in your urine, swelling, rapid weight gain
• Low magnesium – dizziness, fast or irregular heart rate, tremors (shaking) or jerking muscle movements, feeling jittery, muscle cramps, muscle spasms in your hands and feet, cough or choking feeling
• New or worsening symptoms of lupus – joint pain, and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight

Taking lansoprazole long-term may cause you to develop stomach growths called fundic gland polyps. Talk with your doctor about this risk.

If you use lansoprazole for longer than 3 years, you could develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor about how to manage this condition if you develop it.

Common lansoprazole side effects may include:

• Nausea, stomach pain
• Diarrhea, constipation
• Headache

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Cautions

• Before taking lansoprazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (such as dexlansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, and lupus.
• Some symptoms may be signs of a more serious condition. Get medical help right away if you have: heartburn with lightheadedness/sweating/dizziness, chest/jaw/arm/shoulder pain (especially with shortness of breath, unusual sweating), or unexplained weight loss.
• In addition, before you self-treat with this medication, get medical help right away if you have any of these signs of a serious condition: trouble/pain swallowing food, bloody vomit, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, bloody/black stools, heartburn for over 3 months, frequent chest pain, frequent wheezing (especially with heartburn), nausea/vomiting, stomach pain.
• Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
• Proton pump inhibitors (such as lansoprazole) may increase your risk for bone fractures, especially with longer use, higher doses, and in older adults. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about ways to prevent bone loss/fracture, such as by taking calcium (such as calcium citrate) and vitamin D supplements.
• Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially bone loss and fractures (see above), and C. difficile infection (see Side Effects section).
• During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
• It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk. The effects on a nursing infant are unknown. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Forms and Strengths

Prevacid DR is available in the following forms and strengths:

• Prevacid DR Delayed Release Capsule:
  • 15 mg
  • 30 mg
• Lansoprazole Capsule:
  • 15 mg
  • 30 mg

FAQ

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

What to avoid?

This medicine can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Resources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-153274/prevacid-24hr-oral/details
2. https://www.drugs.com/lansoprazole.html#side-effects
3. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=71ba78cb-7e46-43eb-9425-fa130f537f84
4. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/020406s078-021428s025lbl.pdf