TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc announced that the US FDA has approved Prevacid (lansoprazole) SoluTab Delayed-Release Orally Disintegrating tablets to be given using an oral syringe or nasogastric (NG) tube.

"Prevacid SoluTab provides patients who either dislike or find capsules difficult to swallow with an easy-to-use option so they can benefit from the power of Prevacid," said Xavier Frapaise, vice president, research and development at TAP. " Prevacid SoluTab provides a unique alternative for erosive esophagitis cases, such as patients with NG tubes, as well as for more typical patients who desire the convenience and flexibility of an orally disintegrating tablet," he added further.

"Prevacid SoluTab represents an important milestone for Prevacid," said H. Thomas Watkins, president of TAP adding, "It provides additional flexibility and convenience for patients, adding to Prevacid's position as a leading PPI with the most indications and most administration options of all oral PPIs on the market."

When taking Prevacid SoluTab by mouth, patients should simply place the tablet on the tongue and allow it to disintegrate with or without water until the particles can be swallowed. Prevacid SoluTab should not be chewed. Prevacid SoluTab is bioequivalent to Prevacid capsules, does not require dose conversion, and can be used to treat the same conditions, the company release says.

Prevacid SoluTab, the first and only orally disintegrating formulation of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), is now approved for use by children aged 1 to 17 years.