Lansoprazole

Lansoprazole is a conventional medication used to avoid and treat indigestion, heartburn, stomach ulcers and erosive oesophagitis. It comes in the shape of tablets and capsules, containing lansoprasole as the active ingredient.

As a proton pump inhibitor drug, lansoprazole is effective in managing heartburn, abdominal pain, and other types of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Usually, the drug takes effect after 2 to 3 days of consumption, but can also take up to a month, depending on one's dosage. When taken in combination of certain drugs, such as sucralfate or rifampin, lansoprazole's effectiveness reduces. As such, it is advised to consult your doctor or pharmacist before beginning treatment.

Ideally, lansoprazole requires a prescription, especially when taken to treat complex gut diseases such as intestinal ulcers and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. As such, be sure to book an appointment with a health expert at Click Pharmacy to discuss the appropriate usage of this drug.

Nonetheless, over-the-counter lansoprazole for treating occasional heartburns can be conveniently bought from a trusted online pharmacy. It is purchased in packs that are sent directly to you by Next Day Delivery. 

A single pack of lansoprazole contains 28 capsules, each having 15 or 30 mg of the active ingredient lansoprazole. 

The usual dosage for an adult is 15 mg, taken daily for at least 4 weeks. Of course, this depends on the type of condition being treated. 

Lansoprazole is taken orally as delayed-release oral capsule or delayed-release orally disintegrating tablet. These two forms of lansoprazole are designed in a way such that they do not release medication until they pass through your stomach. While taking them, it is advised that you refrain from chewing or crushing the tablets/capsules. 

In case you have any problem with swallowing the drug in whole, you can sprinkle the capsule's content on soft foods such as yoghurt or applesauce, ingest the mixture immediately, without chewing. Alternatively, you can stir the material in a small amount of water (2 ounces) and drink right away. Keep in mind that the mixture shouldn't be prepared ahead of time for later consumption since doing so destroy's the potency of the drug.

Regardless of the patient's age, lansoprazole should be taken 30 minutes before a meal or snack. This is to allow the medication to be absorbed into the body system since food slows down the absorption. Again, how frequent the drug should be taken depends on the gastric condition being treated. The severe ones may require taking medicine twice a day, while the less-severe ones can be treated by a single dose daily. Also, if symptoms persist after 14 days of consumption, consider consulting a doctor. 

Lansoprazole is falling under the proton pump inhibitors (PPI) class of drugs. Generally, these types of drugs are the most potent acid secretion inhibitors across all categories of drugs. Lansoprazole, like all PPIs, targets the cells responsible for secreting gastric acid and blocks them, resulting in reduced production of the acid. 

During consumption, lansoprazole is in its inactive form, which is a neutrally charged state, thus can readily pass other cell membranes and reach into the acidic intracellular membranes. The acidic environment activates the active ingredient benzimidazole, irreversibly deactivating the production of gastric acid.

Depending on your illness, you may take lansoprazole for a few weeks, months or even years. During this period, some take the drug daily while others take once they start experiencing symptoms linked to excessive production of gastric acid. Nonetheless, symptoms should subsidize after 3 days of receiving the lansoprazole. 

Once you feel better, the doctor may advise you to stop taking lansoprazole, concerning how well you've recovered. Note that if you are self-treating using over-the-counter lansoprazole, you shouldn't take the drug for more than 14 days unless advised otherwise by a doctor. 

While most patients are tolerant to lansoprazole, some may experience mild side effects such as headache, nausea, constipation and abdominal pain, which fade away with time. However, if these symptoms persist or become more severe, talk to your doctor. 

 Serious side effects that should warrant a visit to the doctor include:

• Severe diarrhoea

• Bone fractures

• Pain around the kidneys

• Cutaneous lupus erythematosus symptoms, such as red skin rashes and scaly skin

• Poor muscular coordination

• Seizures

• Trouble breathing

• Fast heart rate 

In most cases, the above serious side effects are common among patients who have taken lansoprazole for periods exceeding 3 months, since it decreases the absorption of minerals and vitamins. 

Should you experience any of these symptoms, don't hesitate to consult a health specialist at Click Pharmacy for immediate assistance. 

Although there hasn't been sufficient research showing the effect of lansoprazole on pregnant women, it is not recommended to take it anyway when expectant. Similarly, studies have not been done in nursing mom's taking lansoprazole, though it is known to cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. 

Lansoprazole is, however strictly forbidden for people with liver problems or has had a history of liver disease. Such patients may not be able to detoxify their body of this drug. But still, the doctor prescribes a reduced dosage for this type of patients. 

Since lansoprazole can lead to bone fractures, patients who have osteoporosis shouldn't take this drug as it can increase the risk of fractures even more. 

The above-mentioned drugs can be used to treat heartburn, stomach ulcers, and excessive secretion of gastric acid. However, lansoprazole contain lansoprazole as the active ingredient while Nexium and Protonix contain magnesium trihydrate and pantoprazole sodium, respectively as the active ingredient. 

No. Lansoprazole is not an antacid. It works differently from an antacid. Antacids are ideal for treating heartburn or indigestion. However, the treatment helps neutralise the acid instead of producing less stomach acid. This is because it is alkaline, which makes the stomach acid less harmful.

No. You can not buy Lansoprazole over the counter. It would be best if you had a valid prescription from your GP or pharmacist to purchase the treatment.

No. Lansoprazole does not cause weight gain. However, if you are experiencing weight fluctuations, you should consult your GP as there may be an underlying cause, such as kidney problems.

Yes. Lansoprazole is known to cause constipation. It is one of the prevalent side effects of the treatment.

In some cases, Lansoprazole may be unsuitable. For example, some are allergic to the active ingredients, which does not work for others. However, note that Lansoprazole is not the only treatment for acid reflux. You can find various similar treatments for acid reflux – all varying on the severity of symptoms along with suitability.

Omeprazole

Similar to Lansoprazole, Omeprazole is a PPI. The two treatments work similarly, as well. You are supposed to take them once a day, preferably in the morning. The critical difference is that you can get Omeprazole without a prescription, while Lansoprazole is a prescription-only medication.

Esomeprazole

In addition, Esomeprazole is also a PPI. Therefore, individuals under 12 should not use it. You can take the medicine any time during the day, but morning is typically recommended. You can also take it with food. You can get Esomeprazole without a prescription. However, the dosage will be much lower. 

Pantoprazole

The last direct alternative is known as Pantoprazole, which is also a PPI. You can get it in liquid as well as tablet form. It is an OTC, and it typically comes in 20mg.

Natural Alternatives to Lansoprazole

Furthermore, you can also opt for natural alternatives instead of direct alternatives. Although the natural alternatives work for some, note that there is not enough evidence to support their efficacy.

You can implement a few lifestyle changes that may help, such as:

• eating in smaller amounts
• having more frequent meals
• losing weight, if your BMI is not appropriate
• finding stress relievers
• going to sleep with your chest and head above your waist
• avoiding any food or drinks that have the tendency to trigger your acid reflux symptoms
• avoiding first-hand and second-hand smoking
• not eating anything 3 to 4 hours before going to sleep
• avoiding or consuming a moderate amount of alcohol
• wearing loose-fitting clothing significantly articles that are loose on the waist