What Is Lansoprazole Used For?

Lansoprazole is a medicine used to reduce excess stomach acid. It belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and is commonly used:

• To treat acid reflux and heartburn - known also as gastro oesophageal reflux disease or GORD

• Stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers

• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a rare condition causing high acid levels)

• Prevention of ulcers caused by NSAID use (e.g., ibuprofen or aspirin)

• Treatment of H. pylori infection (in combination with antibiotics)

How Does Lansoprazole Work?

Lansoprazole and other PPIs work by blocking an enzyme in the stomach reducing the amount of acid it produces.

The resultant benefits are many, especially when the amount of acid the stomach produces is in excess or the acid is causing damage:

Lansoprazole can relieve symptoms of gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) by reducing the burning sensation in the throat caused by acid reflux. As less acid reaches the throat, there is less throat irritation, reducing a cough or sore throat.

Lansoprazole can also help heal the underlying causes of acid-related problems and prevent further damage. By reducing acid, it allows ulcers to heal, reduces the risk of oesophageal cancer and reduces inflammation of the oesophagus (oesophagitis). Chronic acid reflux can sometimes cause changes in oesophageal lining, known as Barrett's oesophagus, and using lansoprazole to treat acid reflux can help minimise the risk of these changes occurring.

Long term exposure to acid can scar the oesophagus, narrowing it (strictures). Reducing acid by taking Lansoprazole capsules can help prevent this.

Reducing stomach acid can improve the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat H. Pylori infections. Patients who take long term anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can benefit from acid reduction to protect the stomach lining.

Less acid irritation and acid reflux can help improve sleep and overall quality of life.

What Are the Benefits of Taking Lansoprazole?

Lansoprazole works by reducing stomach acid secretion, helping to relieve symptoms such as heartburn and acid reflux, often within 2 to 3 days. By lowering acidity, it helps soothe irritation in the stomach and oesophagus, caused by excess acid. With reduced acid exposure, conditions such as gastric ulcers and oesophagitis are able to naturally heal.

The usual dose of Lansoprazole is once daily, making it easier to stay consistent with treatment. Treatment duration varies depending on the condition being treatment, whether for acid reflux, ulcers, or as part of a combination regimen to help eradicate H. Pylori.

The most common form of lansoprazole is as a 30mg capsule. It is also available as a 15mg strength as well as in tablet or dispersible tablet formulations. This range of options allows prescribers to tailor therapy to the patient's severity and response whilst accommodating individual needs such as swallowing difficulties.

Suitable For

Lansoprazole is a prescription only medication, licensed for use in adults over 18 years. It should be used in caution in elderly patients, especially if they suffer from other medical conditions.

It is indicated for patients with acid-related conditions, such as acid reflux, heartburn, or ulcers. Lansoprazole helps reduce excess stomach acid, relieving symptoms by protecting the lining of the stomach and oesophagus, which helps in healing ulcers.

People who regularly take NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen may be at an increased risk of stomach ulcers. Lansoprazole can help reduce these complications by reducing acid production.

Not Suitable For

Whilst Lansoprazole capsules can safely be taken by most people, it must not be taken by anyone who is allergic to lansoprazole or other proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Signs of a severe allergic reaction include swelling of the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, wheezing or coughing, blue or pale skin, lips or tongue. If you think you are having an allergic reaction whilst taking lansoprazole, stop treatment and call 999. You may need to speak to your doctor for ongoing treatment requirements if it is confirmed you have an allergy to lansoprazole.

Other people who should not take lansoprazole include those with liver problems. As lansoprazole is broken down in the liver, those with liver disease or liver problems may not break down the drug properly, leading to higher levels in the blood and an increased risk of side effects.

When lansoprazole is taken for more than 3 months, the levels of magnesium in your blood can fall. Low magnesium may increase tiredness and cause muscle cramps and twitches. For this reason, it must be used with caution in individuals with already low magnesium levels.

When taken for over a year, lansoprazole can increase the risk of bone fractures, gut infections and vitamin B12 deficiency. Symptoms of B12 deficiency can include feeling tired, a sore and red tongue, ulcers in the mouth and pins and needles. If you require long-term use, you should speak to your doctor to weigh the benefits against potential risks.

Any patients presenting with alarm symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, difficult swallowing, vomiting blood or persistent stomach pain must speak to their doctor before starting lansoprazole. These are signs of gastric cancer which need to be ruled out before starting treatment.

Speak to Your Doctor Before Use If You

You should talk to your doctor before taking lansoprazole if you are pregnant. They may recommend an alternative acid reflux treatment called omeprazole as there is more safety information available.

It is not known how much lansoprazole passes into breast milk so you should talk to your doctor to assess the benefits of the treatment against the potential risk of passing to the feeding infant.

Some medicines rely on acid to be absorbed properly. Because lansoprazole reduces the amount of acid the stomach produces, you should speak to your doctor before starting it if you are taking:

1. Antifungal medicines, such as ketoconazole or itraconazole. These medicines need stomach acid for absorption, so reducing acid may lower their effectiveness, requiring a dose adjustment.

2. HIV treatments, such as atazanavir or nelfinavir. Their absorption also depends on an acidic environment, which lansoprazole may affect.

3. Blood thinners like warfarin or clopidogrel. Using lansoprazole alongside these treatments may be at an increased risk of bleeding.

4. Other medication like methotrexate or tacrolimus. Lansoprazole may increase the levels of these other medicines in the blood, requiring a temporary cessation of lansoprazole or dose adjustment of other treatments.

5. Do not take lansoprazole with St John's wort, a herbal remedy for depression. This may affect how lansoprazole works. Other herbal medicines should also be avoided alongside treatment as there is not enough evidence to confirm safety.

If you are due a blood test called chromogranin A - used as a tumour marker for endocrine cancers. Lansoprazole may interfere with test results, so you may need to stop lansoprazole as this may affect test levels.

Dosage Guidelines

Lansoprazole is usually taken to treat acid reflux or heartburn of a mild nature at a once daily dose of 15mg. If your symptoms are more severe, or lansoprazole is used to heal a stomach ulcer, the standard dose is 30mg once daily.

It is important to always take the dose as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Missed or Double Doses

In the case of a missed dose, take lansoprazole as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose, and instead proceed with your scheduled next dose.

Common Side Effects

As with all medicines, lansoprazole can cause side effects though not everyone gets them. The most common are headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, stomach pain or bloating or dizziness. These are generally mild and often improve as you adjust to the treatment.

Other common side effects are a skin rash or itching. Very severe skin reactions are rare but serious, requiring immediate medical attention.

Less Common or Serious Side Effects

Less common side effects of lansoprazole may include mouth ulcers, a sore mouth or tongue and joint or muscle pain. Some people may experience tiredness or develop low magnesium levels with long term use.

In rare cases, an allergic reaction can occur, causing swelling of the lips, throat or face. If this happens, seek immediate medical attention.

Long-Term Use Risks

Using lansoprazole in the long term may increase the risk of gut infections such as C. difficile. It can also lead to a B12 deficiency or calcium loss, affecting bone health and increasing the risk of fractures.

For this reason, it is important to have regular medical check-ups. A healthcare provider may provide B12 or calcium carbonate supplements as needed to counteract the deficiency.

Most people should notice an improvement in acid reflux symptoms within a few days of taking lansoprazole. However, full symptom relief and ulcer healing may take between 2 to 4 weeks.

It is important to continue taking lansoprazole as prescribed, even if you do notice improvements. This will ensure proper healing and reduce the risk of relapse.

What to Avoid While Taking Lansoprazole

You should not take prescribed lansoprazole alongside other PPIs or H2 receptor antagonists (such as ranitidine or famotidine). Combining these treatments may alter their effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects.

Avoid fatty foods, spicy foods and too much alcohol or caffeine whilst on lansoprazole. These can affect how much acid is in the stomach and worsen acid reflux symptoms. Smoking should also be avoided as nicotine can also increase acid, reducing effectiveness of treatment and making symptoms worse.

A balanced diet, consisting of smaller more frequent meals may help treat indigestion and acid symptoms. If symptoms are worse at night, try not to eat 3 hours before going to bed and raise your head and shoulders reducing acid reflux coming back up the food pipe.

Lansoprazole vs Omeprazole – What’s the Difference?

Whilst lansoprazole is an effective treatment, another suitable treatment is omeprazole. Both are PPIs, working in the same way, preventing too much acid affecting the stomach lining and food pipe and therefore helping to treat symptoms of acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Both have similar side effects.

Whilst their effectiveness is similar, some studies suggest lansoprazole may act slightly faster than omeprazole, though this isn't the case for everyone. Some patients may respond better to one over the other, based on other factors such as other medicine being taken and overall health.

Quick Meds is a GPhC-registered UK pharmacy, providing safe and reliable access to authentic, UK-sourced medication. You can easily buy lansoprazole capsules online on our user friendly website and benefit from quick, discreet nationwide delivery.

Before purchase you can receive an online consultation with a qualified pharmacist to answer any queries you may have. The clinicians can offer evidence-based lifestyle advice on how to help reduce symptoms by addressing if you drink alcohol, smoke, or dietary advice to prevent weight gain, further preventing symptoms.

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