Lansoprazole: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Lansoprazole?

Benefits and uses of lansoprazole

Lansoprazole is a drug used to treat stomach and esophageal problems. The drug lansoprazole helps heal damage caused by stomach acid, both on the stomach and esophagus, prevents stomach ulcers from forming, and can help prevent esophageal cancer.

Lansoprazole works by decreasing acid production by the stomach. This medicine can also be used to relieve symptoms such as heartburn (heartburn), difficulty swallowing, and a cough that doesn't go away. Lansoprazole is included in the drug class proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

If you are taking this medication without a doctor's prescription, it can be used for frequent heatburn (occurring ≥2 days a week). However, it can take 1-4 days for this medication to show optimal benefits. So, you cannot use this drug to relieve heartburn quickly.

If you buy it over the counter, read the packaging rules carefully to make sure it is the right product. Keep checking the contents in it even though you have already taken this drug. Different drug manufacturers may change other supporting materials.

How are the rules for taking lansoprazole?

Take lansoprazole as directed by your doctor, usually once daily, before meals. If you are using this medication alone, follow the instructions on the product packaging.

Dosage and duration of therapy are based on your health condition and response to therapy. Do not increase your dose or use it more often than recommended. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not crush or chew the capsules. Swallow the drug completely. If you can't swallow the capsules, you can open them and sprinkle them on a spoon or soft food (such as yogurt) and swallow the mixture right away without chewing it.

Or you can pour the contents of the capsule into a small amount of juice (60 mL), and drink the mixture. Pour water into the glass and drink it again to make sure you take all the doses.

If you are taking this medication through a tube into the stomach (nasogastric tube), ask your healthcare provider for the proper mixing and administration rules.

If needed, you can also be given an antacid that is taken intermittently with this medicine. If you are also taking sucralfate, take lansoprazole at least 30 minutes beforehand.

Use this remedy regularly for maximum benefits. To help you, use it every day at the same time.

Continue to use this medication until the prescribed one is finished, even if the symptoms disappear after a few days. If you are using a non-prescription drug, do not use it for more than 14 days unless your doctor recommends it.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse. If you are treating yourself, consult your doctor if your heartburn does not go away after 14 days. You should also see your doctor if you have taken this medicine more than once every 4 months. If you think you have a serious health problem, seek medical help right away.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

What are the rules for storing this drug?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Lansoprazole dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of Lansoprazole for adults?

The following is the dosage of lansoprazole for adults:

• For patients with inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis): Initial dose: 30 mg orally once a day for 8 weeks. Alternatively, if the patient is unable to use the oral route the dose can be given intravenously (IV) 30 mg per day given for 30 minutes for 7 days.
• For people with stomach ulcers: 15 mg orally once a day 30 minutes before meals. Therapy should be continued for up to 4 weeks.
• For GERD patients: 15 mg orally once a day. Therapy should be continued for up to 8 weeks.
• For people with stomach ulcers: 30 mg orally once a day 30 minutes before meals. Therapy should be continued for 4-8 weeks.
• For patients with multiple endocrine adenomas: 60 mg orally once a day. Doses of up to 90 mg orally 2 times a day have been used.
• For adults with systemic mastocytosis: 60 mg orally once a day. Doses of up to 90 mg orally 2 times a day have been used.
• Dosage of lansoprazole for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome patients: 60 mg orally once a day. Doses of up to 90 mg orally 2 times a day have been used.
• Dosage of lansoprazole for infections Helicobacter pylori : Triple therapy: 30 mg lansoprazole combined with 1000 mg amoxicillin and 500 mg clarithromycin given orally every 12 hours for 10 or 14 days.
• Dose of lansoprazole for adults with duodenal ulcer prophylaxis: 15 mg orally once a day 30 minutes before meals.
• Dose of lansoprazole for adults with stomach ulcers due to NSAIDs: 30 mg orally once a day for 8 weeks.
• Dose of lansoprazole for adults with NSAID-induced gastric ulcer prophylaxis: 15 mg orally once a day for 12 weeks.

What is the dose of Lansoprazole for children?

The dose of lansoprazole for children with aspiration pneumonia

Over 3-11 years: 30 mg at 9:00 p.m. the night before surgery, and 30 mg at 5:30 p.m. on the day of surgery.

The dose of lansoprazole for children with acid reflux:short-term therapy for GERD (up to 12 weeks)

• 1-11 years: ≤ 30 kg = 15 mg once daily
• More than 30 kg = 30 mg once a day
• 12-17 years: 15 mg once daily for 8 weeks

The dose of lansoprazole for children with erosive esophagitis: short-term therapy (up to 12 weeks)

• 1-11 years: ≤ 30 kg = 15 mg once daily
• More than 30 kg = 30 mg once a day

In what dosage is this drug available?

Lansoprazole is available in the following dosages:

• Capsule, Delayed Release, Oral: 15 mg, 30 mg.
• Tablet, Delayed Release, Oral: 15 mg, 30 mg.

Side Effects of Lansoprazole

What side effects can I experience due to Lansoprazole?

Seek emergency medical help immediately if you experience signs of an allergic reaction:

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

Stop using the medication and seek immediate medical care or contact your doctor if you experience any of the following serious side effects of lansoprazole:

• Dizzy, confused
• Rapid or palpable heart rate
• Jerking muscle movements;
• Feeling restless;
• Bloody diarrhea
• Muscle cramps, muscle weakness or limping
• Coughing or choking or
• Seizures

The less severe side effects of lansoprazole are:

• Headache
• Nausea, stomach pain
• Mild diarrhea; or
• Constipation

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be known before using this drug?

There are several things you need to know before taking lansoprazole, namely:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to lansoprazole, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in lansoprazole capsules or oral dissolved tablets.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are using or planning to use. Make sure you mention the following medications: certain antibiotics, such as ampicillin (Principen), anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin), atazanavir (Reyataz), digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics ('water pill'), iron supplements, ketoconazole (Nizoral), methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), tacrolimus (Prograf), and theophylline (Theo-bid, TheoDur). Your doctor may change the dose or closely monitor any side effects
• You may be prescribed an antacid with lansoprazole. If you think you need an antacid, ask your doctor for recommendations and tell you when and how to use it
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had low magnesium levels in the blood or liver disease
• If you plan to use nonprescription lansoprazole, tell your doctor first if your heartburn has lasted for ≥ 3 months or if you experience any of the following symptoms: lightheadedness, sweating, or dizziness along with heartburn; chest or shoulder pain; tightness or wheezing; pain that radiates to the arm, neck, or shoulder; weight loss for no reason; nausea; vomiting, especially if vomiting blood; stomach pain; difficulty or pain swallowing when swallowing food; or bloody or black stools. You may have a more serious condition that cannot be treated with non-prescription drugs
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially the last few months of pregnancy; planning to get pregnant; or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant and are taking lansoprazole, contact your doctor
• If you are ≥ 50 years of age, ask your doctor whether prescription or nonprescription lansoprazole is safe. The risk of severe bacterial diarrhea or a fracture of the wrist, pelvis, or spine is higher if you are elderly
• If you have phenylketonuria / PKU (an inherited condition where you have to go on a special diet to prevent mental retardation) you should know that oral soluble tablets can contain aspartame, a source of phenylalanine.

Is lansoprazole safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risk of lansoprazole for pregnant and lactating women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Lansoprazole is a category B pregnancy risk (no risk in some studies) according to the US Food and Drug Administration, the FDA.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

It is not yet known whether lansoprazole passes into breast milk or whether the drug lansoprazole can harm a nursing infant. For nursing mothers, do not use the drug lansoprazole without doctor's approval.

Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Lansoprazole?

Drug interactions can change the performance of the drug lansoprazole or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine without your doctor's approval.

• Ampicillin
• Atazanavir
• Clarithromycin
• Digoxin
• Drugs containing iron (ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate, etc.)
• Ketoconazole
• Methotrexate
• Tacrolimus
• Theophylline
• Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or
• Vitamin or mineral supplements containing iron

Can food or alcohol interact with Lansoprazole?

Certain drugs should not be taken when eating or consuming certain foods because drug interactions can occur.

Smoking or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with lansoprazole?

The presence of other health problems in your body can affect the use of the drug lansoprazole. Notify your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• Diarrhea
• History of hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels in the blood)
• Osteoporosis (bone problems)
• History of seizures — Use with caution, may worsen the condition
• Liver disease — Use with caution, the effect can be increased by slowing down the elimination of the drug from the body
• Phenylketonuria (PKU) - oral soluble tablets contain phenylalanine, which can worsen the condition

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of the drug lansoprazole, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not double your dose at one time.