Drug Uses
Stomach and intestinal ulcers along with erosive esophagitis can easily be treated with Prevacid. Apart from this, conditions that involve excessive production of acid in stomach like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can also be cured. Not to forget, this medicine is also prescribed for duodenal ulcer which is caused by the infection of H. pylori.

How to Take Drug
For the dosage of this drug, it is advisable to go in accordance with the doctor's prescription. Generally, it is taken before the meal, once a day. You can either swallow the capsule as it is, or you can also open the contents of capsule and mix its granules with applesauce. The mixture can then be swallowed immediately, without chewing or crushing. The medication should be continued until doctors recommend you otherwise.

Drug Precautions

• For those who are suffering from any liver disease, it is better to consult a doctor before they take Prevacid. You may also be prescribed for a thorough blood test before this medicine is being prescribed to you.
• This drug comes under the category B of FDA pregnancy, so it is considered to be harmless for the baby. Still, if pregnant, this medicine should not be taken without consulting the doctor. Though there hasn't been any proper test, still there is no evidence that shows the appearance of Prevacid in mother's breast milk. That is the reason why Prevacid should not be taken without consulting a physician even when you are breastfeeding the baby.

Drug Interactions
Consult with your doctor if you need to take Prevacid with such medications as Iron salts, Sucralfate, Ampicillin Digoxin, Warfarin, Ketoconazole and Theophylline. Avoid Prevacid if you`re taking terfenadine, cisapride, pimozide or astemizole. Mixing Prevacid with these drugs could be dangerous and even fatal as it could lead to serious heartbeat irregularities.

Side Effects
There are no complications or side-effects as such when you swallow this medicine. However, if you chance to notice any allergic reaction such as swelling on face, lips, tongue, hard breathing or hives, it is better to consult a physician. Abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, dizziness, headache and diarrhea are some other side-effects that might be noticed in some cases.

Missed Dose
In case, you have missed any of your Prevacid dose occasionally, it is advisable to skip it and resume the normal schedule again. Taking 2 doses together can be dangerous for the health.

Overdose
There is problem of overdose as such that has been noticed still any medication should not be consumed in excess. However, if you suspect any overdose, it is better to seek for medical attention.

Storage
Prevacid should be stored in tightly closed container, which is devoid of moisture and at the room temperature.