What is Lansoprazole?
Lansoprazole, sold under the brand name Prevacid, is a drug that reduces stomach acid. It is used to treat peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Efficacy is similar to other proton pump inhibitors. The medication is taken orally.
Lansoprazole Uses
Lansoprazole is used to treat certain problems with the stomach and esophagus (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It works by reducing the amount of acid the stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent coughing. This medicine helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and can help prevent esophageal cancer. Lansoprazole is a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
How to use
Read the Medication Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet, if available from your pharmacist before you start taking lansoprazole and every time you refill. Ask the doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Take this medicine by mouth as directed by the doctor, usually once a day, before a meal. The dosage and duration of treatment are based on the medical condition and response to treatment. The dose of children is also based on age and weight.
Handle your tablet with your dry hands. Put the tablet on your tongue and let it disintegrate. It takes less than a minute. Swallow the remaining particles with or without water. Do not crush, chew, or break down a tablet or a particle.
If you have trouble swallowing the tablet, dissolve it in water and take the mixture by mouth through an oral syringe. Place the tablet in an oral syringe and place the correct amount of water for your dose (4 milliliters for a 15-milligram tablet or 10 milliliters for a 30-milligram tablet) in the syringe. Shake the syringe gently to dissolve the tablet and swallow the liquid within 15 minutes. To make sure you have taken the full dose, refill the syringe with water (2 milliliters for the 15-milligram tablet, or 5 milliliters for the 30-milligram tablet), shake again, and swallow all the liquid. Do not prepare the liquid mixture for later use before time.
If you are taking this medicine through a gastrointestinal tube, ask your health care professional for detailed instructions on how to mix and give it properly.
Antacids may be taken along with this medicine if necessary. If you are also taking sucralfate, take lansoprazole at least 30 minutes before taking sucralfate.
Use this medicine regularly to make the most of it. To help you remember, take it every day at the same time. Continue to take this medicine for the prescribed duration of treatment, even if you feel better.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists or gets worse. The risk of side effects is increasing over time.
Lansoprazole Side Effects
- Nervousness
- Neuritis (inflammation of a nerve)
- Numbness
- Tingling in your hands and feet
- Poor muscular coordination
- Changes in menstruation
- Low magnesium levels
- Seizures
- Dizziness
- Abnormal or fast heart rate
- Jitters
- Tremor
- Muscle weakness
- Spasms in your hands and feet
- Cramps or muscle aches
- Spasms of your voice box
- Serious allergic reactions
- Rash
- Swelling of your face
- Throat tightness
- Trouble breathing
- Stomach pain
- Watery diarrhea
- Fever
- Bone fractures
- Kidney damage
- Flank pain
- Changes in urination
- Rash on the skin and nose
- Scaly, red, or purple rash on your body
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Weight loss
- Blood clots
- Heartburn
- Joint pain
Precautions
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to lansoprazole or similar drugs (such as dexlansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole) or if you have any other allergies before taking lansoprazole. This product may contain inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or other problems. Please talk to your pharmacist for more details.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history before using this medicine, in particular: liver disease, lupus.
- In fact, some symptoms may be signs of a more serious condition. Get medical help right away if you have: lightheaded heartburn/sweating/dizziness, chest/jaw/arm/shoulder pain (especially with shortness of breath, unusual sweating)
- Its medicine may contain aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition that requires you to restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), ask your doctor or pharmacist for the safe use of this medicine.
- Tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use before you have surgery (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
- Proton pump inhibitors (such as lansoprazole) may increase your risk of bone fracture, especially with prolonged use, higher doses, and in older adults. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to prevent bone loss/fracture, such as taking calcium (such as calcium citrate) and vitamin D supplements.
Lansoprazole vs Pantoprazole
Lansoprazole |
Pantoprazole |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula: C16H14F3N3O2S | Formula: C16H15F2N3O4S |
| Brand name Prevacid | Brand name Protonix |
| Reduces stomach acid | Used as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) |
| Lansoprazole is used to treat certain problems with the stomach and esophagus (such as acid reflux, ulcers). | Used in the treatment of stomach ulcers, short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis due to gastroesophageal reflux disease. |
| Molar mass: 369.363 g/mol | Molecular Weight: 383.4 g/mol |
