Lansoprazole is used to treat acid reflux, reducing excess acid in the stomach. It provides relief for indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux and stomach ulcers.
Lansoprazole works by targeting the proton pumps in the stomach. Proton pumps are present in the stomach lining and produce acid to digest food. Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor which stops them from releasing so much acid in order to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach.
Lansoprazole will usually start to work after 2-3 days but it can take a month for the drug to take full effect so you may still experience ingestion or acid reflux for the first four weeks.
Lansoprazole is the active ingredient.
The other ingredients contained in the medicine are Sugar spheres (sucrose and maize starch), Sodium laurilsulphate, Meglumine, Mannitol (E421), Hypromellose, Macrogol, Talc, Polysorbate 80, Titanium dioxide (E171), Methacrylic Acid-Ethyl Acrylate Copolymer (1:1), Dispersion 30%.
Please Note: Different generic brands of Lansoprazole can contain different inactive ingredients than those listed here.
Lansoprazole should be taken once a day, first thing in the morning at least 30 minutes before eating. If you have been prescribed two tablets per day then the second one should be taken in the evening, again 30 minutes to one hour before food.
The usual dose to treat indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux is 15-30mg per day. Your prescribed dose will depend on your symptoms and condition.
Common side effects include:
Less common side effects include:
Signs of an allergic reaction include:
If this happens, seek immediate medical attention.
Lansoprazole may not be suitable if:
Inform your doctor if any of these circumstances apply to you.
There are certain medications which can react with Lansoprazole and increase your likelihood of experiencing side effects. These are:
You should always inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines to ensure that the combination will not cause harm or make your treatment less effective.
Headaches will usually disappear after the first week but stay hydrated and take a painkiller if you do experience them. Avoid rich or spicy foods if you feel sick or get an upset stomach. Eating smaller meals and holding a hot water bottle against your stomach can help if you experience discomfort. Avoiding foods like onions, beans, peas and lentils can help to ease wind; fiber rich foods and exercise helping constipation.
Over the counter antacids such as Gaviscon can be used alongside Lansoprazole but always leave 2 hours between taking each one.
Lansoprazole is safe to take alongside painkillers like Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.
You can drink alcohol while taking Lansoprazole but alcohol can aggravate the acid levels in the stomach so you may want to avoid it if it makes your symptoms worse.
Lansoprazole is not recommended to use during pregnancy. It's best to find natural methods of reducing acid reflux. Alternatively, Omeprazole is safe to use if you are pregnant.
Lansoprazole and Omeprazole work in similar ways. Studies have shown that there are no major differences between the two drugs but Lansoprazole does work faster in reducing symptoms. Omeprazole is safe for pregnant women while Lansoprazole is not.
Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Rapeprazol and Esomeprazole are other proton pump inhibitors and good alternatives to Lansoprazole.
Lansoprazole is only available on prescription.
Lansoprazole should be taken on an empty stomach 30 minutes to one hour before eating. If you take too soon either before or after eating then this can reduce the effects of it by 50%, stopping it from being absorbed.
Long term use of Lansoprazole can cause unwanted side effects. Taking the medicine for more than three months can cause the levels of magnesium in your blood to drop. This is characterised by feeling tired, dizzy, confused and shaky. Taking Lansoprazole for one year or more can lead to an increased risk of fractured bones, vitamin B12 deficiency and gut infections. Your doctor may regularly assess your symptoms if you are taking Lansoprazole over a long period of time.
Lansoprazole is not addictive but if you have been taking it for a long time then your body can become dependant on it. This means you shouldn't stop taking it suddenly, rather consult your doctor so that they can gradually reduce your dose.
Lansoprazole is absorbed in the stomach by the gastric parietal cell.
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