Prevacid SoluTab

Prevacid SoluTab is a proton pump inhibitor that treats and prevents stomach and intestinal ulcers, erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid), and other conditions that involve too much stomach acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Over-the-counter Prevacid SoluTab (Prevacid OTC) is used to treat frequent heartburn that occurs 2 or more days a week.

Prevacid SoluTab is not for fast relief of heartburn symptoms.

Prevacid SoluTab may also be used for other purposes that are not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Prevacid SoluTab is usually taken before meals. Prevacid OTC should be taken in the morning before breakfast.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use that come with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before measuring a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and let it dissolve without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.

Use Prevacid SoluTab for the entire prescribed time, even if your symptoms improve quickly.

Prevacid OTC should be taken only once daily for 14 days. It may take up to 4 days to feel the full effect. Wait at least 4 months before starting another 14-day treatment with Prevacid OTC.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen while taking Prevacid SoluTab. If you take Prevacid OTC, call your doctor if your heartburn worsens during the 14-day treatment, or if you need treatment more than once every 4 months.

Some conditions are treated with both lansoprazole and antibiotics. Use all medications as directed.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze the liquid medicine.

Prevacid SoluTab can cause kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you are urinating less than usual, or if you have blood in your urine.

Diarrhea may be a sign of a new infection. Call your doctor if you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it.

Prevacid SoluTab may cause new or worsening symptoms of lupus. Tell your doctor if you have joint pain and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.

You may be more likely to have a broken bone while taking Prevacid SoluTab long term or more than once per day.

Heartburn can feel like early signs of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical help if you experience chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder and you feel anxious or light-headed.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to Prevacid SoluTab, or if you take any medicine that contains rilpivirine (Edurant, Complera, Odefsey).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• lupus;
• low levels of magnesium in your blood; or
• osteoporosis or low bone mineral density (osteopenia).

Do not use over-the-counter Prevacid SoluTab (Prevacid OTC) without consulting a doctor if you have:

• trouble or pain with swallowing;
• bloody or black stools; vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds;
• heartburn that has lasted for over 3 months;
• frequent chest pain, heartburn with wheezing;
• unexplained weight loss;
• nausea or vomiting, stomach pain; or
• an electrolyte imbalance or metabolic disorder.

Some forms of lansoprazole may contain phenylalanine. Inform your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

You may be at a higher risk of breaking a bone in your hip, wrist, or spine if you take a proton pump inhibitor long-term or more than once per day. Discuss with your doctor how to keep your bones healthy.

Do not give Prevacid SoluTab to a child younger than 1 year old. Prevacid OTC is not approved for anyone younger than 18 years old.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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

Prevacid SoluTab may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• new or unusual pain in your wrist, back, hip, or thigh;
• a 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; or
• new or worsening symptoms of lupus--joint pain, and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.

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

If you use Prevacid SoluTab 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 side effects of Prevacid SoluTab may include:

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

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Prevacid SoluTab can cause diarrhea, which may indicate a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before taking any anti-diarrhea medicine.

Sucralfate can make it harder for your body to absorb Prevacid SoluTab. Wait at least 30 minutes after taking this medicine before you take sucralfate.

Tell your doctor if you use methotrexate.

Many drugs can affect Prevacid SoluTab, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.