Prevacid Dosage question for Joel

Mary,

At your son’s age and weight, Dr Phillips would recommend a dose of between 25 and 30 mg of lansoprazole per day, split up into 2 or three doses. Since you are using the 15 mg Solutabs, you could start by splitting them in half and giving 1/2 tablet 3 times per day for a total of 22.5 mg. If this dose is not enough, I would increase it by one half of a tablet per increase until his symptoms have stopped completely. Make sure that you are giving it to him on an empty stomach (2 hours since the last meal) and 30 minutes before a full meal (at least 6 oz of milk or formula).

Most doctors are not aware of the fact that infants metabolize this kind of drug 3 times faster than adults, and as a result they need to be given more frequent and higher doses. I am not at all surprised that this dosage is not working for him.

I cannot say much in regards to his hiccoughs, but I do know that infant reflux is often associated with problems with the development of the esophagus and airways. You should take a look at this article on our website.

If you have any more questions, feel free to either post them here or email me: andrewsjj@health.missouri.edu