Facts about lansoprazole and lansoprazole side effects
What is lansoprazole?
Lansoprazole also known as Prevacid, is a proton pump inhibitor oral medication that is prescribed to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease–a condition where the backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn.
Prevacid is available as a delayed release capsules as well as in delayed release orally disintegrating tablets. The delayed release medication is available in 15 mg and 30 mg. The delayed release capsules contain enteric-coated granules that contain a predetermined amount of lansoprazole along with a combination of inactive ingredients.
How does lansoprazole work?
Lansoprazole also helps the esophagus heal and prevents further damage to the esophagus. Prescription lansoprazole can be used to treat ulcers and prevent future ulcers from developing in patients whose ulcers have already healed. It can also help reduce the likelihood of ulcers from developing in people who are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.
Prescription lansoprazole can also be used to treat patients with stomach conditions, in which the stomach produces an overabundance of acid. Lansoprazole along with other medications can be used to treat and prevent ulcers caused by different bacteria. Over-the-counter lansoprazole can be used to treat frequent heartburn that occurs 2 or more days a week.
While lansoprazole can help control the amount of acid produced by many patients with acid reflux disease, many researchers have discovered that taking lansoprazole can also cause minor to more severe lansoprazole side effects.
Minor lansoprazole side effects
Some of the lansoprazole side effects include stomach pain, irregularity, diarrhea, headache, nausea and dizziness. While most of these lansoprazole side effects are considered to be minor if you have any of these lansoprazole side effects for more than a few days, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Serious lansoprazole side effects
You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any one or a combination of the serious lansoprazole side effects. Serious lansoprazole side effects include skin irritation or rash, blistering skin, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or eyes. Other serious lansoprazole side effects include breathing problems, difficulty swallowing and hoarseness.
Additional lansoprazole side effects include abnormal, racing or pounding heartbeat and lethargy. Dizziness, lightheadedness, uncontrollable shaking in one area of the body, muscle spasms and seizures are also serious lansoprazole side effects.
Long-term lansoprazole side effects
According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, PPI’s also known as proton pump inhibitors, like lansoprazole may also cause various kinds of bacterial respiratory infections such as pneumonia. While the respiratory and digestive tracts are quite different from one another, both have one body part in common, which is the back of the throat, where the two tubes separate from one another. What happens is that small amounts of stomach contents makes their way up the esophagus and fester in the trachea. Since bacteria are more likely to multiply in less acidic environments—caused by taking PPI’s, it can travel to the lungs where bacteria festers, leading to pneumonia.
There is also reason to believe that taking PPI’s for a long period of time can also cause a disease called Clostridium difficile, which is life-threatening bacterium that causes inflammation of the lining of the colon.
Some of the main risk factors that cause Clostridium difficile are old age and the use of antibiotics which alter the stomach acids in the gut. However, within the past several years, numerous studies have identified a link between PPI’s taken by themselves or in combination with antibiotics.
What happens is that people become infection with this disease when they swallow it. Since the stomach produces less acid, PPI’s may cause the body to be more susceptible to infections.
While this is a list of many of the minor, more severe and long-term lansoprazole side effects, this medication can also cause several other side effects. If you experience any unusual problems while taking this medication, you should discontinue use of this medication and call your doctor immediately.
Those who take proton pump inhibitors like lansoprazole are more likely to sustain fractures in their hips, spine or wrists than those who do not take these medications. This is because lansoprazole and other proton pump inhibitors weaken the bones and have been linked to the development of osteosteoporosis.
People who are at higher risk for sustaining such injuries are those who take higher doses of this medication and those who take this medication for one year or longer. Also, people who are 50 years of age and older are also at risk of sustaining similar injuries.
Lansoprazole drug interactions
You can take antacids with lansoprazole. If you need an antacid in addition to taking lansiprazole, ask your doctor which one you shoul take and how often you should take it.
Speak with your doctor if you have ever had or currently experiencing low levels of magnesium.
Avoid taking lansoprazole at the same time if you take sucralfate, also known as Carafate. Sucralfate makes it more difficult for your body to absorb lansoprazole. If you need to take both medications, take lansoprazole first and wait at least 30 minutes before taking the other medication.
A combination of lansoprazole and antibiotics can be used to treat a variety of conditions. To treat your condition, it is best to use all of the medications prescribed by your doctor. Make sure to read the medication guide provided with each of your medications and do not change the dose prescribed by your doctor.
You should consult with your doctor if you take any of the following additional medications in conjunction with taking lansoprazole:
-Boodthinners
-Ampicillin
-Atazanavir
-Iron
-Theophyline
-Clopidogrel
-Digoxin
-Ketoconazole
This is not a complete list of all of the drugs that can interact with lansoprazole. This is why it is imperative to speak with your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you currently take.
You should also tell your doctor if you take any vitamins, minerals, herbal products and any other medications prescribed by other doctors. It is also important that you do not use any new medications without consulting with your doctor first.
Lansoprazole precautions
Before taking lansoprazole, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if you are allergic to it or if you have any other type of allergies. This product contains inactive ingredients which may cause allergic reactions or other complications.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist of your medical history and if you have liver disease before you use this medication. Also, before you take this medication consult with your doctor, if you have any problems swallowing food, bloody vomit, bloody, black stools, heartburn longer for three months, nausea or vomiting or stomach pain.
Lansoprazole, also known as a proton pump inhibitor can increase your chance of sustaining bone fractures, especially in those who take it for longer periods of time, those who take higher doses and in older adults. Speak with your doctor about ways you can prevent bone loss or fractures. One such suggestion could be taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.
However, since certain medications such as proton pump inhibitors can interfere with the absorption of calcium carbonate, many doctors recommend taking calcium citrate.
If you plan on having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about the products you use, especially medications, over-the-counter medications and any herbal supplements.
How often should you take lansoprazole?
You should take lansoprazole as often as suggested by your doctor. You may notice that your symptoms progressively get better before completing the entire treatment; however, it is advised that you complete the entire treatment before discontinuing use.
If you notice that your condition becomes worse or symptoms do not improve, call your doctor.
Lansoprazole storage conditions
Store lansoprazole at room temperature and in the same container it came in. Keep it away from high temperatures and high moisture levels. Keep it tightly closed at all times and out of reach of children.
Make sure to throw away any unused medicated as well as medication that is expired or no longer needed. Consult with you pharmacist about how to properly dispose of leftover medication.
In case of an accidental overdose occurs
If an accidental overdose occurs, contact your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim stops breathing or collapses, call 911 immediately.
Who should not take lansoprazole?
Since some forms of lansoprazole contain phenylalanine, you should consult your doctor if you have phenylketonuria.
While it is unknown if lansoprazole can be dangerous to women who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, speaking with your doctor prior to taking this or any medication is highly advised.
As you can see, lansoprazole has many benefits in addition to lansoprazole side effects. If you live with acid reflux disease or any other diseases where heartburn interferes with your daily life, you may believe that taking prescription lansoprazole far outweighs the side effects or potential dangers. However, it is important to keep in mind that lansoprazol side effects include minor, severe as well as long-term lansoprazole side effects. People who need stronger medication to surpress stomach acid, should still take PPI’s like lansoprazole; however, be sure to consult with your doctor first to determine if you fall into this category.