Use Prevacid exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
Prevacid is usually taken before eating. Prevacid OTC should be taken in the morning before you eat breakfast.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open a delayed-release capsule. Swallow the capsule whole.
If you are unable to swallow a delayed-release capsule whole:
Open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of pudding, applesauce, yogurt, cottage cheese, or strained pears. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use.
You may also dissolve the medicine in 2 ounces (1/4 cup) of apple juice, orange juice, or tomato juice. Stir this mixture and drink all of it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more juice to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.
The delayed-release capsule contents may also be given through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube. Open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into 40 milliliters of apple juice (do not use any other liquid). Inject all of this mixture through the NG tube and into the stomach. Then flush the tube with more apple juice to wash the contents down.
Do not break, chew, or cut an orally disintegrating tablet, and do not swallow it whole. Allow the tablet to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.
If you are unable to dissolve the orally disintegrating tablet in your mouth:
Place a 15-milligram tablet into an oral syringe and draw 4 milliliters of water into the syringe. If using a 30-milligram tablet, draw 10 milliliters of water into the syringe.
Shake the syringe gently until the tablet is dispersed. Then empty the syringe into your mouth within 15 minutes after mixing. Refill the syringe with water, shake gently, and empty into your mouth.
The orally disintegrating tablet may also be given through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube as follows: Disperse the tablet in an oral syringe as directed above. Then inject the mixture through the NG tube into the stomach within 15 minutes. Flush the tube with 5 more milliliters of water to wash the contents down.
Take Prevacid for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before your condition is completely treated.
Prevacid OTC should be taken only once daily for 14 days. It may take up to 4 days for full effect. Allow at least 4 months to pass before you start another 14-day treatment with Prevacid OTC.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse while you are taking Prevacid. If you take Prevacid OTC, call your doctor if your heartburn gets worse over the 14-day treatment, or if you need treatment more than once every 4 months.
Some conditions are treated with a combination of lansoprazole and antibiotics. Use all medications as directed.
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.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze the liquid medicine.
 Detailed Prevacid dosage information
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 or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
