Prevacid is a proton pump inhibitor which works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Prevacid is prescribed to treat and prevent various types of stomach and intestinal ulcers. Prevacid is also directed to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritation of the esophagus (erosive esophagitis) and conditions expressed by excessive stomach acid production.

The treatment with Prevacid usually lasts up to 4 weeks for duodenal ulcers. It can be prescribed for up to 8 weeks in case of 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).

Prevacid can be prescribed for some time after a duodenal ulcer or case of esophagitis has cleared up. The goal is to prevent a relapse.

Other cases of Prevacid prescription include:

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

Being such a versatile drug Prevacid should be used with caution as all the diseases require a separate approach concerning the dosage, time of treatment and other peculiarities.