Lansoprazole is a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) drug used as an antacid in gastroesophageal disorders. When to take lansoprazole? What are its side effects? Should it be taken in the morning or in the evening?
What is lansoprazole?
Lansoprazole is a synthetic chemical drug belonging to the family of proton pump inhibitors (PPI). It has the role of decrease acid secretion in the stomach by reducing the passage of H+ ions (called protons) inside the stomach. It thus contributes to reduce heartburn and acid reflux. This drug is used in particular in the treatment and prevention of digestive ulcers (stomach, duodenum), esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux. It is marketed under the name of Lanzor®, Ogast® or Ogastoro®, as well as their generic lansoprazole, marketed by various pharmaceutical laboratories. Lansoprazole works in less than 2 hours.
Indications: when to take lansoprazole?
Esomeprazole is indicated in the treatment gastroesophageal reflux (symptomatic treatment of GERD, treatment and prevention of reflux oesophagitis), for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, bacteria responsible for gastroduodenal ulcers (in combination with antibiotic therapy), in the treatment or prevention of peptic ulcers associated with continued NSAID use (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) as well as in the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome treatment (pathology responsible for multiple, severe and recalcitrant gastric and duodenal ulcers).
Should lansoprazole be taken in the morning or at night?
Lansoprazole is taken in the morning when the recommended dosage is once a day. In the case of a dosage twice a day, it is taken in the morning and in the evening. It should be taken at least 30 minutes before meals as food intake may delay or decrease the gastric absorption of lansoprazole. The tablets or capsules should be taken whole with liquid, without being chewed or chewed. In some cases (people with swallowing difficulties), the tablets or microgranules can be dispersed in a small amount of water, apple juice or tomato juice (or even yogurt or applesauce) and should be administered immediately. The orodispersible tablets can be swallowed whole with a glass of water or placed on the tongue and sucked gently.
Is it available with or without a prescription?
Lansoprazole is a listed drug list II of poisonous substances, i.e. it takes a medical prescription to get it at the pharmacy.
What are the side effects of lansoprazole?
The most common side effects that occur with lansoprazole are
- headaches
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- digestive disorders (abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, polyps)
- an increase in liver enzymes
- hives
- itches
- tiredness
- blood disorders (thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia)
- depression
- joint and muscle pain
- fractures of the hips, wrist or vertebrae (especially in the elderly or at risk of fractures)
- edema
Various other effects may occur such as hematological disorders, hallucinations, increased cholesterol and triglycerides, hyponatremia or even anaphylactic shock, but these events are much rarer. Also, like all PPIs if taken long-term (more than 3 months or even more than a year), lansoprazole increases the risk of gastrointestinal infections linked in particular to Campylobacter or Salmonella germs. Lansoprazole may also (although rarely) decrease the absorption of magnesium and vitamin B12 and thus cause deficiencies such as hypomagnesemia (may manifest as fatigue, tetany, delirious flushes, convulsions, dizziness and arrhythmia). In rare cases, lansoprazole can trigger a subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus or other potentially serious skin events.
What are the contraindications of lansoprazole?
Lansoprazole is contraindicated in hypersensitivity to the active substance or to an excipient contained in the medicinal product. Some presentations of lansoprazole (orodispersible tablets) contain aspartame and are contraindicated in case of phenylketonuria. taking lansoprazole concomitantly with atazanavir or nelfinavir (medicines against HIV) is not recommended because their absorption is dependent on the gastric pH, their effectiveness could therefore be altered. Certain other drugs may also interfere with lansoprazole (antifungals, digoxin, methotrexate, warfarin, theophylline, tacrolimus, fluvoxamine, rifampicin, St. John’s wort, sucralfate, and antacids). Lansoprazole should also not be initiated or continued in people with blood magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesaemia), the resulting symptoms can be serious. It should be used with caution in people with moderate to severe hepatic impairment. It may be necessary to stop lansoprazole (on medical advice) in case of onset of severe or persistent diarrheaor in case of appearances of acute skin lesions (mainly on areas exposed to the sun) or accompanied by joint pain.