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Prevacid Side Effects

by on January 18, 2012

Summary

Side effects associated with Prevacid are generally mild when this medication is taken appropriately according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. A standard course of Prevacid lasts for only 14 days. During this course, most Prevacid side effects are manageable, should they occur. However, dangerous side effects such as seizures, fainting or severe pain should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately. Prevacid and other lansoprazole medications should never be taken continuously or over a longer period of time than recommended on the packaging without the supervision and advice of a doctor.

Common Prevacid Side Effects

Most side effects of Prevacid are moderate and manageable. Since this course of treatment is designed to last for only two weeks, side effects that are not severe can often be treated with other medications or remedies until the course is complete. The most common side effects include the following:

  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Itching
  • Rash
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Changes in appetite
  • Cramps

Additional side effects may occur with Prevacid I.V. These include swelling, redness and pain at the injection site. If any of your side effects are severe, disruptive to your daily life or significantly worsening, you should contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Serious Prevacid Side Effects

prevacid Some individuals are allergic to Prevacid and lansoprazole medications. If you experience any of the following symptoms, that may indicate an allergic reaction you should contact your doctor immediately:

  • Rash or hives
  • Swelling of the face or throat
  • Itching
  • Tightness of the chest
  • Difficulty breathing

Other potentially dangerous side effects that have been reported include:

  • Fast heartbeat
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Bone pain
  • Flu-like symptoms including chills, fever and sore throat
  • Skin problems such as swelling, blisters, redness or peeling skin
  • Chest pain
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Seizures
  • Changes in vision
  • Fatigue

Less common side effects that have been reported in very rare cases include:

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Fainting
  • High blood pressure
  • Gout
  • Weight gain or loss
  • Asthma
  • Acne
  • Hair loss
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Dry eyes
  • Middle ear infection
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Erectile dysfunction

Additional serious side effects have been reported with Prevacid NapraPAC delayed-release capsules. These side effects include the following:

  • Bloody or tarry stools
  • Change in the amount of urine produced
  • Yellowing of the eyes or skin
  • Vomit with a consistency of coffee grounds
  • Confusion
  • Unexplained changes in thoughts or moods
  • Numb arms or legs
  • Swelling of the legs, feet or arms
  • Changes in hearing, speech or vision
  • Weakness on one side of the body
  • Severe vomiting

Prevacid and Broken Bones

The FDA warns that PPI antacids such as lansoprazole or Prevacid may put patients at a higher risk of bone fractures. The risk of these side effects increase in patients who have taken the medication for more than a year or who use it at high doses. Patients over the age of 50 are more likely to experience these bone fractures than younger patients. The most likely fractures associated with this side effect are those of the wrist, spine and hip.

Prevacid is extremely effective at treating painful conditions associated with excess stomach acid. However, many patients choose to use this medication as a treatment for regular heartburn and consequently put themselves at a higher risk of dangerous side effects. If you decide to take Prevacid over-the-counter without a doctor’s prescription, you should follow the 14-day dosing schedule exactly. You should never take these 14-day Prevacid courses more than three times in a single year.

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