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Prevacid Complications

Prevacid is a proton pump inhibitor using lansoprazole as the active ingredient to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (gerd), ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or esophagitis. Prevacid slows the production of stomach acid to prevent it from rising into the esophagus. This prevents injury to the esophagus, but using Prevacid, especially over a long period of time, can cause health complications.

  1. Side Effects

    • According to the drug index Rx List, the most common side effect of Prevacid reported in short-term studies was diarrhea. Abdominal pain, dizziness, constipation, nausea and headaches were also reported as common side effects. Prevacid can interact with other drugs to produce negative health effects. Many medications rely on gastric pH levels for absorption and Prevacid changes those levels. The effect of medication including blood thinners such as warfarin, antibiotics such as clarithromycin or ampicillin, heart medication such as digoxin, bronchodilators such as theophylline, antifungals such as itraconazole or ketoconazole and iron salts can be increased, decreased or altered when they are taken with Prevacid. Sucralfate makes it harder for your body to absorb Prevacid. Blood levels in patients taking any of these medications with Prevacid should be monitored.

    Bone Complications

    • The National Institute of Health reported that a University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine study in 2007 showed that using proton pump inhibitors increases the risk of hip fracture. Other bones prone to fracture from use of Prevacid are bones in the spine and wrists. When Prevacid blocks stomach acid production, it keeps bones from absorbing calcium. Those most likely to have bone complications are people over fifty years of age, long-term users of Prevacid and those who take high doses of the medication.

    Dangerous Complications

    • Although allergic reactions to Prevacid are uncommon, anyone who has difficulty breathing or experiences dizziness, rash, itching or swelling after taking it should get medical attention right away. If you have had allergic reactions to penicillin or antibiotics such as erythromycin or clarithromycin, you should not take Prevacid. Dangerous or even fatal irregular heartbeat may occur if you take Prevacid with the antihistamines astemizole or terfenadine, the antipsychotic drug pimozide or the digestive medication cisapride.

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