Lansoprazole – what it is, what it is for and side effects!

Lansoprazole is an antacid drug, similar to Omeprazole, which inhibits the functioning of the proton pump in the stomach, decreasing the production of acid that irritates the stomach lining. Thus, this medication is often used to protect the stomach lining in cases of gastric ulcer or esophagitis.

What is lansoprazole?

Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach and is used to treat and prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers, erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus caused by gastric acid).

And other conditions that involve excess stomach acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is used to treat frequent heartburn that happens 2 or more days a week. This medication is not for the immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Important information about lansoprazole:

Lansoprazole can cause kidney problems . Tell your doctor if you are urinating less than usual or if you have blood in your urine. This medication can cause diarrhea , which could be a sign of a new infection. Call your doctor if you have watery or bloody diarrhea .

Taking a proton pump inhibitor, such as lansoprazole , can increase your risk of bone fracture in your hip, wrist, or spine. If you also take sucralfate (Carafate), avoid taking this medication at the same time. Sucralfate can make it difficult for the body to absorb lansoprazole . Wait at least 30 minutes after taking this medication before taking sucralfate.

Precautions before taking lansoprazole:

You should not take lansoprazole if you are allergic or if you take any medicine that contains rilpivirine (Edurant, Complera, Odefsey). Heartburn can mimic the early symptoms of a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder and you feel anxious or dizzy.

Tell your doctor if you’ve ever had:

• liver disease;
• lupus;
• low levels of magnesium in the blood;
• osteoporosis or low bone mineral density (osteopenia).

Do not use lansoprazole without a doctor’s advice if you have:

• difficulty or pain when swallowing;
• bloody or black stools;
• vomiting that looks like blood or coffee grounds;
• heartburn lasting more than 3 months;
• frequent chest pain, heartburn with wheezing;
• unexplained weight loss;
• nausea or vomiting, stomach pain ;
• an electrolyte imbalance or metabolic disorder.

Some forms of lansoprazole may contain phenylalanine. Taking a proton pump inhibitor, such as lansoprazole, can increase your risk of bone fracture in your hip, wrist, or spine.

This effect occurred mainly in people who took the medication long-term or in high doses, and in those aged 50 and over. It is unclear whether it is the actual cause of an increased fracture risk. Some conditions are treated with a combination of lansoprazole and antibiotics .

Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Do not give lansoprazole to a child under 1 year of age. It is not approved for use by children under 18 years of age. Ask a doctor before using this medication if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How to take lansoprazole?

Use lansoprazole exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor, and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Lansoprazole is usually taken before eating. Lansoprazole should be taken in the morning before breakfast.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before measuring a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided or use a medication dose measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). Swallow the lansoprazole capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break or open it.

Take an orally disintegrating tablet out of the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.

Carefully read and follow all instructions for use provided with your medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions. Use lansoprazole for the entire prescribed period of time, even if symptoms improve quickly.

It should be taken only once a day for 14 days. It may take up to 4 days for full effect. Wait at least 4 months before starting another 14-day course of lansoprazole.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or get worse while you are taking lansoprazole. If you take lansoprazole, contact your doctor if your heartburn gets worse during the 14-day treatment or if you need treatment more than once every 4 months.

If you use lansoprazole for more than 3 years, you may develop a vitamin B12 deficiency . Talk to your doctor about managing this condition if you develop it. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat and light. Do not freeze the liquid medicine.

Uses of lansoprazole drug:

Short-term treatment for healing and alleviating symptoms of all grades of erosive esophagitis
Keeping erosive esophagitis healing

• Usual Adult Dose For Duodenal Ulcer:
• Treatment: 15 mg orally once daily
• Duration of therapy: up to 4 weeks
• Maintenance: 15 mg orally once daily

What happens if I miss a dose of lansoprazole?

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

What to avoid taking lansoprazole?

This medication can cause diarrhea , which could be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using antidiarrhea.

Lansoprazole side effects:

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to lansoprazole:

• urticaria;
• difficulty breathing;
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• new or unusual pain in the wrist, back, hip, or thigh;
• a seizure (seizures);
• irregular heartbeat;
• kidney problems little or no urination, blood in the urine, bloating, rapid weight gain;
• new or worsening symptoms of lupus;
• joint pain and a rash on the cheeks or arms that gets worse with sunlight.

Other medicines that lansoprazole affects?

Sucralfate (Carafate) may make it difficult for the body to absorb lansoprazole. Wait at least 30 minutes after taking lansoprazole before taking sucralfate. Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which can increase side effects or make the drugs less effective.

Many drugs can affect lansoprazole and some drugs should not be used at the same time. This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medications and any medications you start or stop using.

Other information:

• Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children,
• never share your medications with others and use lansoprazole only for the indication prescribed.
• Always consult your physician to ensure that the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.