Prevacid vs Axid

[Anonymous]

Took my daughter to a pediatric GI doctor today and because she is on a continuous NG tube feed she switch from Prevacid to Axid or Zantac (gave us sample of Axid and said if I didn’t think it worked to take the script for Zantac and try that). She said that the continuous feed is preventing the Prevacid from doing its job and the Axid or Zantac can be used with food.

I thought that Prevacid was better (the way I had to fight with insurance to get it covered anyway)..Has anyone ever has this situation or know if it should work better in my case where daughter is on continous feed?? Hate to give up on a great med to a lesser med but if it really isn’t helping then I guess I have nothing to lose. She also wants me to try 2ml of Mylanta before we try and have her drink from a bottle twice a day…Has this helped anyone?? I am afraid my daughter will never learn to eat from a bottle..she just cries so much after 1 suck on the nipple. (She is 8 weeks old tomorrow)

Thanks for any insight -Desiree

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

I was going to type everything Christine just said! Most babies need a PPI medication and Christine’s suggestions were perfect! We’re on Zegerid and LOVE it! GOOD LUCK!

[Anonymous]

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.

[Author]

Posts