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Prevacid ® - Lansoprazole
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Prevacid - Lansoprazole and GERD
Lansoprazole - chemical name - Pronunciation - lan-SOE-pra-zole
Prevacid - brand name
Prevacid (Lansoprazole) is available only with a doctor's prescription and is commonly called by it's brand name, Prevacid.
Prevacid belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors, called PPI's. They are:
- Prevacid - Lansoprazole
- Nexium - Esomeprazole
- Prilosec - Omeprazole
- Protonix - Pantoprazole
- Aciphex - Rabeprazole
PPIs reduce the production of acid in the stomach and intestines by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. Decreasing stomach acid can help ulcers to heal and reflux, or heartburn symptoms to subside.
Prevacid is used to treat certain conditions in which there is too much acid in the stomach. Prevacid is used to treat * duodenal ulcers, * gastric ulcers, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a condition in which the acid in the stomach washes back up into the esophagus.
Sometimes Prevacid is used in combination with antibiotics to treat ulcers associated with infection caused by the * helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria (germ).
Prevacid is also used to treat * Zollinger Ellison Syndrome, a condition in which the stomach produces too much acid. Prevacid works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), pronounced - GAH-stroh-eh-SAW-fuh-JEE-ul REE-fluks duh-zeez, is the flow of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus. Happens when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) is weak or relaxes when it shouldn't. May cause esophagitis. Also called esophageal reflux or reflux esophagitis. More about GERD
Definitions For This Page - In Alphabetical Order
* Duodenal Ulcer
Pronounced - doo-AW-duh-nul UL-sur
Duodenal ulcer is an ulcer in the lining of the first part of the * small intestine (duodenum). The duodenum is right after your stomach.
* Gastric Ulcer
Pronounced - GAH-strik UL-sur
Gastric ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach. Also called Stomach Ulcer.
* Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori)
Pronounced - HELL-uh-koh-BAK-tur py-LOH-ree
Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) is a spiral shaped bacterium found in the stomach. H. pylori damages stomach and duodenal tissue, causing ulcers. Previously called Campylobacter pylori.
* Small Intestine
The small intestine is the organ where most digestion occurs. It measures about 22 feet and includes the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. More about Small Intestine.
* Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Pronounced - ZAH-lun-jur EL-uh-sun sin-drohm
A group of symptoms that occur when a tumor called a gastrinoma forms in the pancreas. The tumor, which may cause cancer, releases large amounts of the hormone gastrin. The gastrin causes too much acid in the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine), resulting in ulcers, bleeding, and perforation.
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