Can I take 30 mg of OTC Prevacid?

March 28, 2017 9:48 AM

You're not my doctor, but I can't get in touch with him right now. I typically take 15 mg of Prevacid (the only mg sold OTC that I can find) but I am having breakthrough heartburn a few days a week. I know prescription Prevacid comes in 30 mg, but the boxes of 15mg all say "Do not take more than 1 capsule a day." My plan was to take 30 mg all at once at the usual time I take 15mg (once a day.) Is this acceptable? Does the delayed-release aspect of the OTC Prevacid make this a bad idea?
posted by juniper to Health & Fitness (16 answers total)

Are you near an open pharmacy? They are probably more knowledgeable and helpful than you think.
posted by sandmanwv at 10:09 AM on March 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

Yep, I'd call and ask your local pharmacist.
posted by Countess Sandwich at 10:21 AM on March 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

Yes, thirding that a pharmacist can answer this question, and if you can suggest an alternative medication if you can't take more Prevacid.
posted by Aquifer at 10:28 AM on March 28, 2017

Use according to directions. Do not solicit advice from internet strangers about exceeding the dosage limit. Pharmacist or doctor.
posted by beagle at 10:30 AM on March 28, 2017 [3 favorites]

Is this acceptable? Does the delayed-release aspect of the OTC Prevacid make this a bad idea?

You should try

- another doctor in your doctor's practice
- calling the number on your health insurance card (if you have insurance)
- asking a pharmacist

and should not exceed dosages on packages unless you get information from a professional.
posted by jessamyn at 10:50 AM on March 28, 2017 [2 favorites]

First, I think everyone is correct who answered before me and said get professional advice not internet strangers. Second, as an internet stranger who is not a doctor nor qualified to give medical or pharmaceutical advice, I say you will be ok if you take two. My theory on taking enough OTC medicine to equal a prescription dose is that it won't hurt me if I do it once or twice. One, it does get prescribed in the dose you are contemplating so it must be safe for at least a large subset of the population and they are selling a reduced dose which has apparently worked for you previously without major side effects. Two, from a legal standpoint I assume the drug maker is conservative and would not risk an easy lawsuit if you accidentally took two much less intentionally. So, take the time to ask a pro, but I don't think you will be harmed if you just take two.
posted by AugustWest at 11:03 AM on March 28, 2017

Read up on side effects and "who should not take this". I think most of the worst are for long-term use, but at least look into this yourself a bit. (I do this for prescriptions too. Doctors are important, but being informed is your personal backup/failsafe to busy medical professionals).
posted by amtho at 11:19 AM on March 28, 2017

My theory on taking enough OTC medicine to equal a prescription dose is that it won't hurt me if I do it once or twice.

I don't think that's necessarily the best way to think of it. It strikes me as a bad idea to take more than the recommended dose of something unless you know exactly why the recommended dose is what it is. Is the prescription version delayed-release and the OTC isn't? Is it safe to take two in one day, but not two at a time? It could matter, or it could not. With pharmacology, defer to the experts (like your doctor or local pharmacist) unless you know for sure that what you're doing is safe.
posted by shapes that haunt the dusk at 11:41 AM on March 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

Honestly, before I doubled the dose I would probably try a different medication to see if that works better... or just supplement with a chewable?
posted by getawaysticks at 11:42 AM on March 28, 2017

Check with the pharmacist, but the answer is almost certainly going to be that the 30 mg prescription dose is exactly the same thing as 15 mg X 2 OTC. Whether or not you should be taking 30 mg is a question for your doctor.
posted by COD at 12:04 PM on March 28, 2017

try zegerid. it was AMAZING for my heartburn. take it at night. (and if you don't want to do that, i would feel perfectly fine taking 2 15mg pills.)
posted by misanthropicsarah at 1:54 PM on March 28, 2017

I've taken omeprazole at 2x the dose with no ill effects once or twice, but I did it by taking it 1 pill, then another 12 hours later. Still, that's me, that's omeprazole and not lansoprazole, and you might have a very different experience. Doctor!
posted by clone boulevard at 1:57 PM on March 28, 2017

Also what getawaysticks said. Ask about a different med if you're having breakthrough often. I always have TUMS nearby and that's usually enough to handle my once in a great while breakthrough heartburn.
posted by clone boulevard at 1:59 PM on March 28, 2017 [1 favorite]

I take ibuprofen in rx doses often. YMMV and at your own risk. Not everyone can afford doctor bills for minor questions.
posted by decathexis at 2:26 PM on March 28, 2017

Response by poster: I'm going to try it tonight. I've taken Tums all day with no effect. Have been on 15 mg daily for about 5 years. Will talk to a doctor or phamacist eventually but it seems like one of those "just hasn't been approved for OTC" things, and I doubt a pharmacist is going to contradict the package directions.
posted by juniper at 6:59 PM on March 28, 2017

Best answer: I'm a GI nurse, but not your nurse. FYI - OTC anti-reflux meds seem to be universally approved at half the prescription dose. Either two pills once a day or the OTC dose every 12 hours are reasonable approaches. If reflux bothers you at night (it often is worse because of lying flat) take it before bed and try to sleep so your head is elevated. If you have daytime reflux dosing before breakfast is best. Note that unlike Tums which works right away because it directly coats the stomach, PPIs work by targeting the body's acid-producing mechanisms, so they should be taken about 20 minutes before eating to get into the bloodstream.

I doubt taking the normal prescription dose when you are having a particularly bad day would be a problem. If it persists seeing a GI doctor who might be able to prescribe more effective treatments would be a good idea.
posted by citygirl at 9:43 PM on March 28, 2017 [2 favorites]