Drug Class: What is Prevacid and why is it prescribed?

Generic Prevacid 30 mg (Lansoprazole) is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI), which block the production of acid, by the stomach.

Other drugs in the same class as Generic Prevacid 30 mg, include rabeprazole (Aciphex), omeprazole (Prilosec) and pantoprazole (Protonix). Proton pump inhibitors are used for the treatment of conditions such as ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome that are caused by stomach acid.

Generic Prevacid 30 mg is prescribed for the short-term treatment (up to 4 weeks) of duodenal ulcers, (ulcers near the exit from the stomach). It is also used for up to 8 weeks in the treatment of stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (backflow of acid into the canal to the stomach), and a condition called erosive esophagitis (severe inflammation of the canal). Once a duodenal ulcer or case of esophagitis has cleared up, the doctor may continue prescribing Generic Prevacid 30 mg to prevent a relapse.

Generic Prevacid 30 mg is also prescribed to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers in people who develop this problem while taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, and Naprosyn.

Generic Prevacid 30 mg drug is also used for long-term treatment of certain diseases marked by excessive acid production, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Generic Prevacid 30 mg is also prescribed as part of a combination treatment to eliminate the H. pylori infection that causes most cases of duodenal ulcer.