Lansoprazole belongs to the same family as omeprazole and does essentially the same job — reducing acid production at source. Which of the two you end up on is often a matter of what your prescriber chose or what interacts least with your other medicines.
Lansoprazole treats acid reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, indigestion, and stomach and duodenal ulcers. It is used to protect the stomach in people taking long-term anti-inflammatories, and forms part of the eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori alongside antibiotics.
Usually once daily in the morning, at least 30 minutes before food. Swallow capsules whole.
Orodispersible tablets are placed on the tongue and allowed to dissolve, or dispersed in a little water — useful if swallowing capsules is difficult. Do not chew or crush them.
If you are taking it twice a day, the second dose is usually in the evening. Take it consistently rather than only on bad days; these medicines work by keeping acid production low.
Headache, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, wind and stomach pain are the common ones and often settle within a week or two.
Get medical advice promptly for severe or persistent diarrhoea, unexplained muscle cramps or weakness, a rash, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
Long-term use can affect absorption of vitamin B12 and magnesium and carries a small increase in risk of certain gut infections — so it is worth having repeat prescriptions reviewed periodically rather than continued indefinitely by default.
Tell your prescriber if you take methotrexate, digoxin, certain antifungals or HIV medicines, or clopidogrel. Lansoprazole is generally considered to interact less with clopidogrel than omeprazole, which is one reason it is sometimes chosen.
1 Lyng Lane, West Bromwich B70 7RW · Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm, Sat 9am–1pm · 0121 500 5756
Ask our pharmacist →We use essential cookies to make the site work — things like your basket, sign-in and secure checkout. With your permission we’d also like to use analytics cookies to understand how the site is used and improve it. See our cookie policy.
