Recommend Prevacid®24HR—powerful relief for frequent heartburn available over-the-counter
More than 50 million adults in the US suffer from frequent heartburn (≥2 days/week). For many of those patients, Prevacid®24HR may be a treatment option.1
Prevacid®24HR may be the right choice for frequent heartburn patients who:
Patients for whom Prevacid®24HR may be appropriate
Considering an OTC instead of a prescription PPI for frequent heartburn
Tricia
Age: 37
Symptoms: Burning in the chest. Tricia's frequent heartburn symptoms were well-controlled with a prescription PPI in the past.
Diagnosis: Frequent heartburn; no underlying condition such
as GERD or peptic ulcer disease.
Medication history:
Prescription PPI.
Treatment Considerations: For patients like Tricia who are taking
a prescription PPI for frequent heartburn related to an uncomplicated acid-related condition, Prevacid®24HR
represents a new and effective treatment option. Prevacid®24HR can deliver powerful relief for frequent
heartburn with the added benefits of an OTC.
Taking cost into consideration
Ann
Age: 57
Symptoms: Burning in the sternum that gets worse when she's lying down.
Diagnosis: Frequent heartburn; no underlying condition such as GERD or peptic ulcer disease.
Medication history: Over-the-counter use of other heartburn medications, which had not controlled Ann's symptoms well.
Treatment Considerations: Ann does not have comprehensive medical insurance coverage and often has difficulty meeting
her expenses, including prescription drug costs. Prevacid®24HR can deliver powerful relief for frequent heartburn, and may cost less than the average co-pay for
a branded prescription medication for frequent heartburn.
Considering treatment options for a new frequent heartburn diagnosis
John
Age: 45
Symptoms: Burning in the chest 1 to 3 hours after meals occurring more than 2 days a week
Diagnosis: Frequent heartburn; no underlying condition such as GERD or peptic ulcer disease.
Medication history: Over-the-counter use of antacids, of which he had to take several, for symptomatic relief, but these were ineffective against John's symptoms.
Treatment Considerations: For newly diagnosed frequent heartburn patients like John, experts recommend that the first step could be a 14-day course of treatment with an OTC PPI.2
1. National Heartburn Alliance. Frequent heartburn assessment: are you a frequent heartburn sufferer? www.heartburnalliance.org/heartburn_assessment.php. Accessed June 23, 2009.
2. Fennerty MB, Finke KB, Kushner PR, et al. Short- and long-term management of heartburn and other acid-related disorders: development of an algorithm for primary care providers. J Fam Pract. 2009;58(suppl):S1-S12.
© 2009 Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.
