COOKING TO REDUCE THE BURN: HEARTBURN-FRIENDLY RECIPES AND TIPS DESIGNED TO HELP THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS SUFFERING FROM GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE

- Created by Renowned Chef and Physician "Dr. Gourmet" -

LAKE FOREST, Ill., August 1, 2005 - A new recipe book released today is designed to help patients avoid the trigger foods associated with the pain of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Timothy Harlan, M.D., a physician and trained chef better known as Dr. Gourmet for combining his passion for cooking with his drive to help people achieve optimum health, has developed Cooking to Reduce the Burn, a new recipe collection offering delicious, easy-to-prepare recipes and useful tips designed to help adults with GERD.

GERD is a condition described as the frequent and abnormal backflow of the stomach contents into the esophagus. Heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD. More than 15 million Americans suffer from symptoms of GERD. People who suffer from persistent heartburn two or more days a week, despite treatment and diet changes, may have GERD, also known as acid reflux disease (ARD).

"While almost any food can potentially aggravate GERD, certain 'trigger foods' - such as chocolate or foods that are fatty, fried or spicy - frequently exacerbate the symptoms," says Dr. Gourmet. "While eating the right foods is important to controlling GERD, that doesn't have to mean giving up delicious food. With effective medication, if needed, and input from a physician, as well as a customized diet that encourages you to avoid trigger foods, people may enjoy their food while managing the symptoms of acid reflux disease."

Cooking to Reduce the Burn offers 20 recipes, ranging from breakfast smoothies to dinner options including shrimp scampi and mushroom risotto. The recipes replace fattier ingredients that can potentially put stress on the stomach and exacerbate GERD symptoms with lighter fare that limits fat intake while preserving taste. Dr. Gourmet also provides tips and general information regarding how GERD sufferers can make lifestyle adjustments to alleviate their symptoms, such as eating smaller meals and not eating for several hours before going to bed. The recipe book is available online at www.thegerdlife.com.

"It is important to note that while changes in diet and lifestyle and the use of over-the-counter medications such as antacids are sometimes enough to alleviate or prevent the symptoms of GERD, it's important to go see your doctor if you are experiencing heartburn two or more days a week," says Dr. Gourmet. "Only your physician can determine what treatment is right for you."

Cooking to Reduce the Burn is sponsored by TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., the distributor of Prevacid®, (lansoprazole). Prevacid is one of the nation's most prescribed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Prevacid helps GERD-sufferers prevent the acid that causes heartburn pain and is commonly used to treat acid reflux disease.

About Prevacid® (lansoprazole)

Prevacid Capsules, Prevacid for Oral Suspension, and Prevacid® SoluTab™ (lansoprazole) Orally Disintegrating Tablets are used to treat GERD and are not right for everyone. Individual results may vary. Prescription Prevacid has a low occurrence of side effects such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. Symptom relief does not rule out serious stomach conditions. Please see full prescribing information, visit www.prevacid.com and discuss with your doctor whether Prevacid might be right for you.

About TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.

TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., located in Lake Forest, Ill., is a joint venture between Abbott, headquartered in Abbott Park, Ill., and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, of Osaka, Japan. TAP markets Prevacid and Lupron Depot® (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension). For more information about TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., and its products, visit the company's Web site at www.tap.com.