Prevacid dosage

[Anonymous]

My DS was prescribed 15mg 1x day by his PCP when he was about 2-3 weeks old. Due to hassle with insurance he only ended up getting 8 doses before they refused to pay and would only cover zantac. So we switched and, of course, the zantac didn’t help. So, we went to the GI specialists office hoping that if they prescribed the prevacid the insurance would take it more seriously. So, LONG story short, we are now on prevacid, but the GI’s office only prescribed him 7.5mg 1x day. He is now 7 weeks old and about 9.5 lbs. I asked them about the doseage change and they said that for a baby his weight, 7.5mg is the right dose and 15mg would be an overdose. But, from everything I’ve read online and from discussion boards, prevacid dose doesn’t depend much on weight , but on severity of symptoms. The 7.5mg dose doesn’t seem to help him quite as much and seems to wear off in about 18 hours. Right now the GI isn’t willing to change his dose. Should I fight them on this or are they right? Is 15mg too much?

Thanks!

[hellbennt]

we all are biased here! we all would encourage you to fight and/or just do it on your own.

disclaimer: we are not medical professionals!

ME, I’ve ‘just’ been on this board EIGHT YEARS and feel like I know a LOT, lol!

RESEARCH is key. go to the Medicine Forum and read ALL the ‘stickies’ (the posts ‘stuck’ to the top w/ a little icon/picture of a note stuck w/ a pin)

also be sure to read

about figure out PROPER dose of prilosec and TELL doctor you need a RX for the 40mg packets of ZEGERID (long story why you need to ask for Zegerid- but the short version is that it’s a stable compound, meaning liquid, that you can give at any time. If you’re giving solutabs you must give on an empty stomach, followed by a ‘meal’ 30 minutes later.)

Prevacid 101:

scroll to the last page of this post, (it’s actually also about other PPIs like prilosec, too)
https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1936&PN=0&TPN=1

also:

I have a LOT to say and most of it’s here, in a link called ‘groupie intro.‘
it’s looong but TRULY will help you- read through it, refer back to it, scroll through it/skim through it. You’ll find yourself coming back to it!
https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=853)

[Anonymous]

You wrote: also be sure to read about figure out PROPER dose of prilosec and TELL doctor you need a RX for the 40mg packets of ZEGRID

What is it I’m supposed to read to figure out the proper dose of prilosec? But, he actually isn’t on prilosec, he’s on prevacid. Can the OTC version of prevacid be used? Could I break the capsules and give him the beads inside or is the capsule itself the part that is enteric coated?

I have read from your links that some have given mylanta when they baby seems to be in pain from heartburn. I can’t find it, do they make mylanta anymore? All I can find is Maloxx and it has the aluminum. What about tums? Could I crush one and give him a little of the powder to suck off my finger?

He had been on prilosec before prevacid, but the compound tasted so bad that he wouldn’t swollow it, so what was the point, you know? My 2nd DS had the prilosec when he was a baby and it was flavored. I told them it quit working before the month was up and neither the dr.’s nor the pharmacist seemed to believe me. Looks like now it is more recognized that the flavoring causes it to quit working after a couple weeks.

This is actually my 3rd DS with silent GERD, so I’m a veteran to this condition. However, there is a 7 year gap between my 2nd DS and the baby, so quite a bit has changed as regards medicaitons and options. Based on the links you’ve provided in your posts, it looks like he does need at least 15mg of prevacid divided in 2 or 3 doses a day and I could still give him some of the zantac that we have left when he needs it (although the taste of that made it hard to give too).

Today has been an awful day for the poor little guy (Jude). Lots of choking and crying and Sandifer’s syndrome symptoms. He hasn’t been able to eat or sleep well all day. Not sure why it is suddenly worse. I think he has trouble with milk, so I cut that out of my diet a few weeks ago. Now, I’m starting to wonder about tomatoes.

Anyway, thanks for all your help and let me know about the mylanta and prevacid OTC, also what about zegrid OTC? If it comes to the dr.’s not being willing to give him the doses he needs, I’m considering just dosing him on my own. Since these aren’t very dangerous meds, I feel like I could do it with all the info provided here.

THANKS!

k

[hellbennt]

Stonecypher wrote: What is it I’m supposed to read to figure out the proper dose of prilosec?

There’s a link, from Prevacid 101 (last post on the page), that has the marci-kids dosing recommendations.

Prevacid 101:

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1936&PN=0&TPN=1

Here is the link directly to the PPI dosing chart:

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2668

Stonecypher wrote: Can the OTC version of prevacid be used? Could I break the capsules and give him the beads inside or is the capsule itself the part that is enteric coated

Yes you can use OTC prevacid. Use the capsules. Give on an empty stomach. Administer the beads, from the capsule, w/ 1/2 tsp of applesauce. Follow w/ a ‘meal’ 30 minutes later.

Stonecypher wrote: I have read from your links that some have given mylanta when they baby seems to be in pain from heartburn. I can’t find it, do they make mylanta anymore? All I can find is Maloxx and it has the aluminum. What about tums? Could I crush one and give him a little of the powder to suck off my finger?

mylanta cherry supreme is the one variety of mylanta that does not contain aluminum. it’s hard to find, but you can find store brand equivalents- I know cvs brand makes it & you can also try rite-aid, target, etc- just look for one that does not list aluminum in the ingredients. you can give 1ml up to 5 times a day- it’s safe, even for newborns. if you see loose stools back off.

Tums is also good. There is also http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Calcium-Carbonate-Powder-12-oz-340-g/480?at=0 Make sure you use the exact brand name listed in the hyperlink. These have all been tested to be lead free.

JUST TO MAKE THINGS MORE CONFUSING:

The mylanta and tums and calcium bicarbonate CANNOT be given when you’re administering straight-up prevacid. If you are giving prevacid from the capsule or prevacid solutabs, these need to be given on an empty stomach followed by a ‘meal’ 30 minutes later. You may then give mylanta/tums FOUR HOURS LATER/SEPERATE from the prevaicd.

If you’re giving ZEGERID and only ZEGERID, then you follow the instructions posted and then YES, when giving ZEGERID, you give mylanta or tums at the same time.

YOU CAN GIVE MYLANTA with the ZANTAC to help it go down better. You can give 1ml up to 5 times a day- it’s safe, even for newborns. if you see loose stools back off.

the zantac needs to be given FOUR hours seperate from the prevacid

the zantac needs to be given FOUR hours seperate from the prilosec

the zantac needs to be given FOUR hours seperate from the zegerid

You mentioned your diet…

Reasons a breastfeeding mother might think her baby is reacting to something in her milk:

*poop that is not ‘normal’ mustardy yellow, seedy breastfed baby poop

*mucous in poop; mucous can look like: snot, jelly, cottage cheese, stringy like the inside of a banana

*foul-smelling poop

*stinky, foul-smelling painful gas

*straining and grunting to poop and, when baby finally does poop, it’s soft

Dr. Sears Total Elimination Diet can help you figure out exactly what it is that might be affecting your diet. It’s something to consider, rather than cutting ourt one thing here & one thing there…I did it. It’s not impossible and there are lots of links on this board to help you….In my case, it was helpful because I found it was not milk or soy (phew!) and it was some ‘odd’ things: citrus, tomatoes, tuna & eggplant…

the TED takes two weeks and then you start adding foods in to see what you CAN eat.

Research all you can! You are your baby’s best advocate!

Look for all posts by Erinntx! (be SURE to read her ‘sticky’ – the link is below)

here’s some more light reading for you

MSPI ‘Main’ page:

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2697

best EXPLANATION OF FOOD ALLERGIES/INTOERANCES and their RELATION TO REFLUX that I have found, to date: 2nd post: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2697&PN=2

Misconceptions about how Neocate & Elecare work: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6013

THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT:

Erin‘s sticky: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12948&PID=105126#105126

More Erin: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13175&PID=106395#106395

Erin post: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13576

Great anne post: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9242

Exposure to foods & blood testing: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12993

Sheri’s allergy/intolerance explanation: https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10223&PID=87638#87638

Another Sheri explanation- intolerance/allergy post:

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11579&PID=97442#97442

Accuracy of allergy testing & great post by sherri explaining IgE and IgG (intolerance/allergies) https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10815

(sue again, replying to gina- breastfeeding info to (TED)https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11324&PN=1

probiotics, brands used:

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8970&PN=1

erin posts that mentions enzymes:
https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12781&KW=enzyme

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12610&KW=enzyme

https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12227&KW=enzyme

Post from me:
https://www.infantreflux.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12200&KW=enzyme

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