Shortage of lansoprazole (OTC)

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reports a shortage of lansoprazole (OTC). Novartis cites "manufacturing delays" as the cause of this shortage of the 15 mg tablets for sale without a prescription, brand name Prevacid. Quality problems led to voluntary closure of their Lincoln, Nebraska manufacturing facility and more problems at other plants have since been acknowledged. Ed Silverman has a good post on Novartis' manufacturing problems on the Pharmalot blog.

Proton pump inhibitors such as lansoprazole inhibit the production of stomach acid, which is helpful for treatment of heartburn, ulcers, Helicobacter pylori infections, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. There are several interactions with other commonly prescribed drugs, so be sure and let your physician know if you are taking lansoprazole.