What is Lansoprazole?
Lansoprazole is a treatment for acid reflux and GORD. Acid reflux is when acid from the stomach travels into your food pipe and throat. It causes a burning sensation that we know as heartburn. Other symptoms can include bloating and bad breath. Lansoprazole treats acid reflux by stopping the cells in the lining of your stomach from producing too much acid.
Persistent and recurring acid reflux is called GORD (Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease).
Lansoprazole is a generic version of other branded treatments, such as Zoton FasTab. It’s available either as a capsule that’s taken with water, or as a tablet that melts in the mouth - and doesn’t need to be taken with water.
How does Lansoprazole work?
Acid reflux happens when acid in the stomach passes through the ring of muscle that holds the bottom of the oesophagus closed, and then enters the food pipe and throat.
Your stomach uses acid to break down the food you eat so that your body can digest it. It’s produced by proton pumps in the lining of your stomach wall. Sometimes, though, they produce too much and it goes up into your food pipe.
Lansoprazole prevents the proton pumps from producing too much acid. As a result there isn’t excess acid to travel to the food pipe and cause heartburn and the other symptoms associated with acid reflux and GORD.
What doses of Lansoprazole are there?
Lansoprazole comes in two doses: 15mg and 30mg. It comes in the form of a capsule that’s swallowed with water, and also as a dissolvable tablet that melts on the tongue and doesn’t need to be taken with water.
For acid reflux, treatment usually involves taking one tablet or capsule daily for four weeks.