Lansoprazole Uses: An Overview
Prescription
lansoprazole (sold under the brand name
Prevacid®) has been licensed to treat or prevent a number of conditions. Some of these uses include:
- Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Treatment of erosive esophagitis
- Treatment of duodenal ulcers
- Treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections
- Treatment of stomach ulcers
- Treatment and prevention of stomach ulcers in those people taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
- Treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
Nonprescription lansoprazole is approved only for the short-term treatment of
heartburn in adults
(see Prevacid 24HR Uses for more information).
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Erosive Esophagitis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acids and other contents of the stomach go back into the esophagus. This can result in GERD symptoms, including the most common symptom of GERD -- heartburn. One of the complications associated with GERD is erosive esophagitis, which develops when the lining of the esophagus becomes damaged from exposure to stomach acid.
Lansoprazole is used for treatment of GERD symptoms, including heartburn. It has also been licensed to treat erosive esophagitis. Once the esophagus has healed, lansoprazole may also be used to prevent the return of erosive esophagitis.
