Prevacid vs Axid

Prevacid solutabs do need to be given on an empty stomach and followed up 30 minutes later with a meal, so I can see how continuous feeds would interfere with that, but there are other options besides going to an H2 blocker like Axid or Zantac, which usually are not nearly as effective as PPI’s like Prevacid.

Here are the options I would ask her about.

1. Compounded Prevacid. This form of the med can be given with or without food. The only down side is that some Pharmacies don’t prepare it correctly (not enough buffer) and then it loses it’s effectiveness before the month’s supply is done. You can get around that by asking for a two week’s supply at a time. And/or you can make sure the pharmacy is preparing it correctly. (check the info at http://www.marci-kids.com about compounded meds.)

2. Zegerid is an excellent option. It’s a PPI and can be given with or without food.

7.5 mg is such a low dose. No wonder she won’t eat. If you can’t work with this doctor to get her on a higher dose of a good PPI, I’d really consider looking for another doctor. The right medication and the right dose can really turn things around, so keep fighting for your daughter.

Hi Desiree,
My son has a feeding tube too, and we are using the compounded Prevacid. It has worked really well for him. We mostly do bolus feeds, and only do the continuous feeds at night, so I don’t really have the problem you do. It’s nice not to have to time the medicine around feeds though. It’s also easy to give the compounded Prevacid through the tube.