Get Informed: Prevacid
Active Ingredient(s)
Lansoprazole
What does it do?
This product is commonly used in the treatment of gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). It works by reducing production of acid in the stomach.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 8:53 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Prevacid
- Lansoprazole
- Gastrex
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 10 May 1995
- Est US Patients*
- 3,908,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- Yes
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Prevacid or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Prevacid
There have been no alerts regarding Prevacid during the past year.
Prevacid Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Prevacid used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 22,900 patients that use Prevacid (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Heartburn / GERD | 87% | 
|
| Stomach Ulcers | 8% |
|
| Hiatal Hernia | 6% | 
|
| Other | 9% |
|
How well does Prevacid work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 22,900 users taking Prevacid (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 80%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Prevacid outweigh the bad things.
- 20%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Prevacid.
Common Side Effects of Prevacid
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 22,900 users taking Prevacid (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
17% of patients experience side-effects on Prevacid
1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Prevacid
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Fatigue
-
Muscle Pain/Stiffness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdominal Pain, Constipation, Diarrhea, Dryness, Headache, Nausea, Vitamin Deficiency
Global Patient Feedback for Prevacid (Lansoprazole) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
My insurance company changed from Prevacid to Nexium on the pharmacy formulary. I had taken Prevacid for 12 years. When I had to switch to Nexium, the coverage for reflux wasn't there. I switched back to Prevacid, 30 mg twice daily, to treat a stomach ulcer, but can't afford 126.95 per month. So now, I've had to go back to the Nexium 40 mg. Nexium is not working as well as the Prevacid did.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-08 12:29:29
Answer/Reply:
I am going to be in the same boat as you. I have been taking Prevacid for years and now my insurance company wants me to change to Nexuim. If I don't I have to pay the sum of $100.00
66 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-12 22:30:42
Answer/Reply:
iF YOU ARE ON A FIXED INCOME WITH NO INSURANCE YOU CAN GO DIRECTLY TO THE PHARMECUDICAL COMPANY AND GET A 6 MONTH SUPPLY FOR FREE YOU NEED TO PROVIDE LAST YEARS TAX RETURNS AND A LETTER AND PRESCRIPTION SIGNED FROM YOUR DR. PLUS AN APPLICATION FROM THE DRUG COMPANY.
57 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-16 19:50:10
Answer/Reply:
Yea, the insurance companies love to take your $ but cry when they have to pay out
52 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-16 01:00:29
Answer/Reply:
I was on prevcid 30 mg , I have found that over the counter meds work the same there are many to choose from I have found that prilosec works the same as prevcid but sheeper I buy the gernic walmart brand you can catch it on sale for 9.00 for a 2 week supply
42 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-25 15:10:18
Answer/Reply:
Try the generic name for Prevacid and look on ebay for this. I found that it is sold in large quantities for a fraction of the cost.
52 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-17 16:55:06
Answer/Reply:
Have you tried Omeperzole, it comes OTC and prescribed (same medicine). It is generic for Prilosec. It is alot cheaper than prevacid. Alot of insutance companies are putting this on their formulary.
39 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-19 07:49:02
Answer/Reply:
I had taken Prevacid for 11 years now insurance company wants me to pay $ 250 for 3 month supply. i switched to generic prilosec ( omeprazole ) it works just as good for me and only costs $ 30 every 3 months
42 year old Male
Posted: 2009-05-19 14:07:18
Answer/Reply:
My husband was on Prevacid for over a year. It got so expensive we couldn't afford it any longer even with insurance. He changed his diet and started getting more exercise. His stomach problems almost don't exist anymore! Sure he has to watch certain foods but he doesn't take medicine anymore. Not even over the counter! It is amazing what diet and exercise will do!
34 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-01 22:06:00
Answer/Reply:
I switched from Prevacid to Protonix - it's great and way less. 65 yr old female.
65 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-22 14:49:30
Answer/Reply:
I was taking prevcid for years then My pharmacist recommened prilosec he sais that it contains the same ingredent and will work inthe same way . I hve been taking the 2o mg generic form of prilosec (walmart brand 9.00) for a 2 week supply for over a year. It works the same for me and saves alot of money
42 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-25 15:17:28
Answer/Reply:
I went through the same thing with my insurance company. My husband who is a doctor talked to the insurance company and told them Nexium wasn't working for me. They told him to write a letter stating I had tried Nexium and it didn't work and I needed the Prevacid. That did the trick and now the Insurance pays for it. Another note, ask your doctor for samples if they have them they will give them to you.
44 year old female
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-26 15:38:12
Answer/Reply:
I have tried several of the medicines for my acid reflux problem prevacid is the only one that has worked the best,People that don not live with this do not understand take what works the best for you i have had this for years.I have insurance but i still have a 50.00 copay this does not seem like much but when you are not working it is copay but thanks to the company i have been getting a 25.00 card which makes mine only 25.00. for amonth supply.52 year old female.
53 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-29 00:10:38
Answer/Reply:
Ask your pharmacy about a form to fill out if you are taking prevacid. It is for $25.00 off each time on a refill. Even if you have insurance they take it off each time you refill. It really is for real!!!!!
47 female
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-03 19:31:24
Answer/Reply:
You might want to try over the counter Prilosec. I had switched to something other than Prevacid that my insurance company paid for instead, and the results were just ok. Then they stopped paying for that as well, and the price was closer to 150.00 per month. Now I have switched to the OTC Prilosec and find it works every bit as well for me as the Prevacid did.
63 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-28 23:23:40
Answer/Reply:
They tried the same thing with me.....its like comparing steak to hamburger. My Dr told them I had to take prevacid. And no problems since.
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-01 13:20:01
Answer/Reply:
My insurance dosen't pay for it either. I usually wait till the generic brand goes on sale in rite aid, walgreen etc and try to get coupons or it. try to get as many as you can when they are on sale that is the only thing that has worked for me. It will save you a few buck. hope this help.
29 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-01 19:03:47
Answer/Reply:
MY pharmacy (Shopko) charges $395+ for Prevacid 30 mg twice a day...!!! Be thankful yours is only $127...
72 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-03 15:21:36
Answer/Reply:
My insurance also removed Prevacid from the formulary. I tried the Nexium and my GERD symtoms came back horribly after being nearly "healed". i reported back to my Dr. and she was able to get me back on prevacid. I was grateful! Now I have all this Nexium that I can't use...I feel wasteful.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-03 19:04:14
Answer/Reply:
I too take 30 mg Prevacid, only one dose a day,, and pay $125.00 for a 90 day supply, they would be $150.00, bur I applied for and received a card from them, giving me $25.00 off each prescription I fill. Go on their site and apply, you could use the help, as I did.
68 yo female
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-11 00:12:14
Answer/Reply:
I too take 30 mg Prevacid, only one dose a day,, and pay $125.00 for a 90 day supply, they would be $150.00, bur I applied for and received a card from them, giving me $25.00 off each prescription I fill. Go on their site and apply, you could use the help, as I did.
68 yo female
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-06-11 00:16:58
Question/Comment:
I took both omeprazole and esomeprazole for extended periods. I have found Prevacid to be far superior to either, and with less risk of bad side effects.
48 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-13 14:04:05
Question/Comment:
Could I switch from Prevacid to Omeprazole safely? And what is the difference? It would save money.
47 year old Male
Posted: 2009-03-12 16:48:52
Answer/Reply:
Hi I tried Omeprazole (Nexium) for 2 months because my insurance kept sending me and my doctor letters stating that it was cheaper than Prevacid (Lansoprazole). I declined using it for a while and then decided to give it a try and boy did I pay dearly for the change. I had heartburn the whole 2 months I tried it. I've also had surgery this past December 08 and the hospital doesn't have Prevacid but they have Nexium which is Ometprazole and I suffered the whole 12 days I was there. Prevacid IS far superior than Omeprazole for me. It may help you but it doesn't work for me. And yes it's cheaper than Prevacid.
53 year old female
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-21 05:30:31
Answer/Reply:
YES. They are both the same med. Omeprazole is the generic name for Prilosec. I used to take both and I am a Pharmacy Technician also.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-26 00:36:04
Answer/Reply:
Prilosec is not the same drug as Prevacid, therefore Omeprazole is also not the same drug as Prevacid. Prevacid works much, much better than either Omeprazole or Prilosec.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-19 13:48:13
Question/Comment:
If this drug affects your B12 would that cause the hair loss??
78 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-18 20:26:22
Answer/Reply:
I take both Previcid, and injections of B12 for at least 7 years.. I have not lost even one strand of hair, it is as thick as ever.
63 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-17 00:28:05
Question/Comment:
Does this prevacid cause hair loss?
78 year old Female
Posted: 2009-02-18 20:17:38
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
There are many things that can cause hair loss including hormonal changes, serious illness, emotional or physical stress, or excessive shampooing and blow-drying. Hair disorder has been reported in people using Prevacid, but it is not a very common side effect. Since there are so many other things that might contribute to hair loss, it is difficult to determine if Prevacid is truly linked to the problem. If you are concerned about your hair loss, you may want to follow up with your doctor to make sure something more serious is not going on.
Posted: 2009-02-23 12:55:37
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
It is possible that lansoprazole (Prevacid) may interfere with the stomach absorption of vitamin B12; however, this decrease in vitamin B12 has not been associated with hair loss. The incidence of developing poor absorption of B12 is rare with lansoprazole. Hair disorder has been reported in people using lansoprazole but it is not common. Since there are many things that may cause hair loss, it is difficult to determine if lansoprazole is the cause
Posted: 2009-02-23 12:59:23
Answer/Reply:
I am 53 and have been taking Advair for 13 years. I have not had hair loss or thinning until recently which I attributed to other drugs, age and genetics.
I never related my weight gain to Advair but 10 pounds years ago, could be "Advair related". I attributed the weight gain to feeling better mentally and physically, (because I could breathe) thus being more active, thus eating more. Eating responsibly is the important thing! Watch the caloric intake and you'll be fine.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-05 13:53:04
Answer/Reply:
I've been on prevacid going on 11 years now and I haven't lost any hair. I 59 yrs old.
60 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-06 00:33:08
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Patient Comments about
Prevacid