Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

• Type of Drug: Stomach-acid inhibitor; antiulcer.
• Prescribed for: Duodenal ulcer, esophagitis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Lansoprazole General Information

Lansoprazole is only the second drug available in the United States (the first was Omeprazole) that interferes with the so-called “proton-pump” in the mucous lining of the stomach. This is the last stage of acid production and, as a result of this effect Lansoprazole can turn off stomach acid production within 1 hour after it is taken. Lansoprazole is accepted in the United States for short-term treatment of duodenal ulcers (up to 4 weeks) and corrosive esophagitis (up to 8 weeks), a condition in which stomach contents flow backward into the esophagus (the pipe that connects the throat to the stomach), resulting in erosion of the esophagus by stomach acid. This medicine is also approved for other conditions in which stomach acid plays a key role or in which excess stomach acid is produced as a part of the condition; Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is the most common of these. Lansoprazole has not yet been accepted for treatment of stomach ulcers, although Omeprazole is widely prescribed for that purpose.

Lansoprazole Cautions and Warnings

Do not take this drug if you are sensitive or allergic to it. Animal studies indicate that long-term use of this medicine can be related to an increase in stomach tumors, but it is not known if this is also a problem for humans. Lansoprazole relieves symptoms very quickly, but this may not mean that the underlying problem has been solved.

Possible Side Effects

Generally, Lansoprazole causes relatively few side effects.

• Most common: diarrhea.
• Less common: nausea, abdominal pain, and headache.
• Other: other side effects experienced by people taking Lansoparazole affected virtually every body system (cardiovascular, stomach and intestines, endocrine, blood, skin, metabolic, nervous, sensory, urinary, and reproductive), but were found in less than 1 of every 100 people taking the medication.

Lansoprazole Drug Interactions

• Lansoprazole affects the absorption of drugs into the bloodstream that depend on having acid present in the stomach. Some drugs that may be affected are Ampicillin, Digoxin, Iron, and Ketoconazole.
• Lansoprazole slightly increases the rate at which Theophylline is released from the body, but this may not affect most people taking Theophylline for their asthma.
• Sucralfate interferes with the absorption of Lansoprazole into the blood. If you take both drugs, take the Lansoprazole at least ½ hour before you take your Sucralfate.

Food Interactions

Lansoprazole should be taken before a meal, preferably breakfast. Taking it after meals seriously interferes with the absorption of Lansoprazole into the blood.

Usual Dose

Adult: 15 to 30 mg a day. In some conditions, daily doses can go as high as 120 mg or more. Reduced dosage may be needed in people with severe liver disease.
Child: not recommended.

Lansoprazole Overdosage

In one case of a 600-mg overdose, there were no adverse effects. Call your local poison center or hospital emergency room for information if you suspect a Lansoprazole overdose. If you go to an emergency room for treatment, ALWAYS bring, the medicine bottle with you.

Lansoprazole Special Information

Lansoprazole capsules should be swallowed whole. Don’t open or crush them.
If you forget to take a dose of Lansoprazole, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the forgotten dose and continue with your regular schedule.

Lansoprazole Special Populations

Pregnancy/Breast-feeding
There is no information about the effect of taking Lansoprazole during pregnancy. This drug should not be taken during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary.
This drug may pass into human breast milk and may affect nursing infants. Nursing mothers who must take Lansoprazole should consider bottle-feeding their babies.

Seniors
Older adults clear this drug from their bodies more slowly than younger adults. Daily doses larger than 30 mg should not be taken unless specifically necessary to control disease symptoms.