On November 12, 2009, Novartis announced the availability of Prevacid 24HR (lansoprazole delayed-release capsules 15 mg/acid reducer) over-the-counter in pharmacies and retail stores across the US to treat frequent heartburn. Prevacid 24HR received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in May 2009. It is the first and only over-the-counter (OTC) Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) for the treatment of frequent heartburn in its original formulation.
Prevacid (lansoprazole) was one of the most prescribed acid reducer brands in the US over the last decade. The same medicine in Prevacid is now available over-the-counter in Prevacid 24HR for the treatment of frequent heartburn.
Frequent heartburn is defined as heartburn that occurs two or more days per week.
Prevacid 24HR is clinically proven to work for a full twenty-four hours, both day and night. It is the only PPI approved for OTC treatment of frequent heartburn that contains the active ingredient lansoprazole. Prevacid 24HR is expected to be widely available throughout the United States.
24 hour Prevacid is clinically proven to treat frequent heartburn. Time release Prevacid prevents acid production that causes frequent heartburn pain for 24 hours, with one pill a day.