The brand-name medication Prevacid (generic name lansoprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for the treatment of heartburn and acid reflux problems. Prevacid works by limiting enzyme production that makes acid in stomach walls. If too much acid is in the stomach, it can return to the esophagus and even the throat, as in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It can also lead to conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which can cause polyps to form in your pancreas and duodenum, as well as in the stomach. Some side effects can result from long-term Prevacid use and the presence of stomach polyps.
Cancer
One long-term side effect of using Prevacid is the possibility that stomach polyps will become cancerous. According to Ray Sahelian, M.D., the long-term use of Prevacid can block acid production in the stomach. Since stomach acid limits the growth of bacteria in the stomach, the bacteria can infect polyps present in the stomach, which can then become cancerous.
Fundic Gland Polyps
Fundic gland polyps tend to be non-cancerous polyps that form in the mucoid substance of the stomach lining after long-term use of Prevacid as well as other PPIs. Ray Sahelian, M.D., states on his website that the formation of these polyps is one of the ongoing concerns with long-term use of PPIs like Prevacid.
H. pylori and Diarrhea
H. pylori bacteria (Helicobacter pylori) infection and gastric atrophy can degenerate into infectious diarrhea due to the lack of acid in the stomach which limits bacteria growth. This is one of the bacteria which can also infect polyps present in the stomach and cause them to deteriorate with long-term use of Prevacid. The lack of digestive juices due to gastric atrophy can inflame the stomach lining, including any polyps present. New polyps may form as well, according to Ray Sahelian, M.D.
