Lansoprazole

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.

How to take Lansoprazole

How you take lansoprazole depends on the version you are taking, and it’s really important that you read the leaflet that comes with it beforehand. If you‘re unsure about anything to do with taking the medicine, let us know.

Instructions: Lansoprazole gastro-resistant capsules

Our clinician will usually tell you to:

• Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water.
• Take capsules at the same time everyday.
• Take lansoprazole tablets in the morning.
• Take capsules half an hour before food.

Instructions: Lansoprazole orodispersible tablets

Our clinician will usually tell you to:

• Take the tablet half an hour before food.
• Take it at the same time of day.
• Take the tablet in the morning.
• Put the tablet into your mouth and allow it to dissolve before swallowing.
• Use a syringe if you struggle to take the tablet.

How long does it take Lansoprazole to work?

Lansoprazole starts to work straight away and reduces the amount of acid produced in your stomach by 70-80%, and this increases to over 80% after you’ve been taking it for a week . It takes just under two hours for lansoprazole to reach the bloodstream, but can take 50% longer if you take it with food.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Lansoprazole?

If you forget to take a dose of Lansoprazole you should take your medication as soon as you remember. If it’s time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and carry on as usual. Never take a double dose of Lansoprazole. If you take too much Lansoprazole seek medical advice immediately.