Lansoprazole

Lansoprazole is a medication for treating acid reflux, which is also known as heartburn. The active ingredient is lansoprazole. When started, it is usually taken once in the morning, every day for 4 weeks. Your doctor will prescribe the best dose for your symptoms.  

Back to top

Lansoprazole belongs to a group of medications called PPIs. PPIs block a protein in your stomach which is responsible for acid secretion.This reduces the amount of acid in your stomach, which can relieve acid reflux symptoms and treat the cause of the condition.

What type of medication is it?

Lansoprazole is a type of medication called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), which works in your stomach to reduce the amount of acid it makes. 

Is lansoprazole an antacid? 

No, lansoprazole works differently to an antacid. Antacids work to treat heartburn, or indigestion. Instead of producing less stomach acid, they will neutralize the acid, because they are alkaline. This makes your stomach acid less corrosive. 

Common indigestion symptoms, and how lansoprazole treats them

The main symptoms of acid reflux include:

• an unpleasant taste in your mouth or bad breath
• heartburn, which feels like a burning sensation in your chest
• bloating or nausea (feeling sick)
• hiccups that keep coming back
• hoarse voice
• a burning in your throat

These symptoms may be worse after eating, especially if you eat spicy or rich foods. You may also feel symptoms when you lay down or bend over.

Lansoprazole treats these symptoms by reducing the amount of acid you create, meaning you will not get acid reflux as often, or at all.

Lansoprazole dosage

The usual dosage of lansoprazole is 15mg or 30mg capsules, once a day. You will take this for 4 weeks, which should relieve your acid reflux. If you still have symptoms after 4 weeks, speak with your doctor. 

How long does it take for lansoprazole to work? 

You should start to feel better within 2 to 3 days when taking lansoprazole. It can take up to 4 weeks for lansoprazole to take its full effect, so you may still have symptoms during this time. 

How effective is lansoprazole?

In this study, lansoprazole 15mg or 30mg capsules were found to be highly effective in reducing heartburn, which is one of the main symptoms of acid reflux. 

Over the counter treatments are not as effective as lansoprazole, as they work to ease your symptoms, rather than treating them.

Back to top

Lansoprazole 15mg or 30mg is usually taken once a day, to treat acid reflux. This should be at the same time each day and works best if taken in the morning. Take lansoprazole at least 30 minutes before you eat food. 

You should take the capsule with a full glass of water. The treatment course will last for 4 weeks, after which you should speak with your doctor if you still have symptoms. 

When to take lansoprazole

It is best taken in the morning, to give you relief throughout the day and 30 minutes before food.

How long do I use lansoprazole for?

You will be prescribed lansoprazole for 4 weeks, but you may be given it for longer if your symptoms have not gone away. Speak with your doctor after 4 weeks if you still have acid reflux. 

How many lansoprazole can I take?

The usual dose is 15mg or 30mg, once a day, depending on what dosage your doctor has prescribed. Lansoprazole comes in 15mg or 30mg capsules, meaning you will only need to take one capsule a day. If you have severe acid reflux, you may be given a loading dose, which is a higher dose to treat your acid reflux quickly. This can then be adjusted by your doctor.

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember. If your next dose is due, just take it as normal. Never take a double dose. 

Back to top

Lansoprazole can be bought online, through trusted sellers like Superdrug Online Doctor. You may also be able to get lansoprazole through the NHS, but you will need to be seen by your GP first. You cannot get lansoprazole over the counter, as it needs to be prescribed. 

Can I buy lansoprazole online? 

Yes, Superdrug Online Doctor provides lansoprazole for acid reflux. Complete a short medical questionnaire which can be reviewed by one of our doctors. If lansoprazole is a suitable treatment for you, it will then be prescribed.

You can then purchase lansoprazole through our website, which can be collected at any Superdrug store. It can also be delivered to your home, with fast delivery. If you have any further questions, you can then message your doctor for free, via your online account. 

Can I buy lansoprazole over the counter?

No, lansoprazole needs to be prescribed to you by a doctor. 

Can I get lansoprazole on the NHS?

Yes, you can get lansoprazole on the NHS, or you may be prescribed a similar treatment if it’s more suitable for you. You must make an appointment with your GP to get lansoprazole on the NHS.

Back to top

Lansoprazole can have some side effects but not everybody that takes it will get them. There are some serious but rare side effects that mean you must go to A&E or call 999 straight away. This includes:

• a very severe skin reaction, such as skin loss, blistering, reddening or severe inflammation
• inflammation of your liver, you may get yellowing of your skin or eyes
• angioedema, which includes difficulty breathing, swollen face or tongue, and difficulty swallowing
• severe allergic reaction, which includes rash, drop in blood pressure, and swelling

Common side effects include:

• dizziness
• headache
• diarrhoea, stomach pain, or constipation
• nausea or vomiting (feeling or being sick)
• dry, sore mouth or throat
• tiredness
• benign polyps (noncancerous growths) in your stomach
• skin rash or itching

Uncommon side effects include:

• changes in your blood cell counts
• depression
• joint or muscle pain
• swelling or fluid retention
• fractures of your spine, wrist, or hip

Rare side effects include:

• fever
• drowsiness, confusion, restlessness, insomnia, vertigo, or hallucinations
• change in taste
• skin reactions
• sensitivity to light
• loss of appetite
• glossitis, an inflammation of your tongue
• pancreatitis
• hair loss
• trembling
• paraesthesia, a feeling of ants creeping over your skin
• anaemia, which may cause paleness
• breast swelling in males
• impotence
• candidiasis, which is a fungal infection

Very rare side effects include:

• changes in your blood tests
• colitis, which is bowel inflammation
• inflammation of your mouth
• a reduction in white blood cells, which can reduce how well your body fights off infection

Why does lansoprazole cause stomach pain?

Lansoprazole can cause benign polyps, which could cause pain in your stomach. If you get stomach pain that does not go away whilst taking lansoprazole, speak with your doctor. You can reduce this by taking it with a full glass of water. 

Does lansoprazole cause weight gain?

Lansoprazole is not known to cause weight gain. Some patients have reported weight gain, which may be caused by kidney problems. This is not listed as a side effect because there are other symptoms of kidney problems, including swelling, blood in your urine, and fever. 

Can lansoprazole cause constipation? 

Yes, lansoprazole can cause constipation and is listed as one of the side effects.

What to do if you get lansoprazole side effects

If you get a severe allergic reaction or serious side effects, you must go to A&E straight away. For any milder side effects, see if these go away after your body gets used to the treatment. You can treat many side effects at home, such as:

• avoiding spicy or rich foods to help with nausea (feeling sick)
• drinking plenty of water, taking over the counter painkillers, and not drinking too much alcohol if you get headaches
• eating smaller and more frequent meals, or using a hot water bottle to reduce stomach pains
• drinking small sips of water to reduce dehydration and speaking to your doctor if you get diarrhoea and vomiting (being sick) that does not go away
• exercising regularly, drinking water, and eating high fibre foods, such as cereals, fruits, and vegetables if you get constipation
• avoiding alcohol with this medicine if you feel tired or dizzy

If you get side effects that bother you too much, speak with your doctor.

What are the side effects of long term use of lansoprazole? 

If you take lansoprazole for over 3 months, it can make the levels of magnesium in your blood go down. Low magnesium can cause symptoms such as:

• irregular heartbeat
• tiredness
• confusion
• dizziness
• muscle twitches
• shakiness

If you get any of these symptoms whilst taking lansoprazole, speak with your doctor who may do a blood test. 

If you take lansoprazole for over a year, this could increase the chances of other side effects, including:

• infections of your gut
• bone fractures
• vitamin B12 deficiency, with symptoms such as sore or red tongue, mouth ulcers, and feeling very tired 

Back to top

Lansoprazole may not be right for everyone with acid reflux. Some conditions or medications can interact with how lansoprazole works in your body, making it less effective, or potentially unsafe. Lansoprazole can be taken by children, but only if prescribed by a doctor. 

Contraindications

Before taking lansoprazole make sure to speak with your doctor if you:

• have low vitamin B12 levels
• are due to have a blood test called Chromogranin A
• have ever had a skin reaction to lansoprazole or other similar medications
• have liver problems
• are due to have an endoscopy
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Medications that interact with lansoprazole 

There are some medications that interact with lansoprazole, so speak to your doctor if you take any medications, including:

• St John’s wort
• HIV medication
• methotrexate, for cancer and autoimmune diseases
• warfarin, a blood thinner
• fluvoxamine, for depression
• antacids
• sucralfate, for ulcers
• tacrolimus, for organ transplant 
• digoxin, for heart problems
• medication to treat infections, especially ketoconazole, itraconazole, and rifampicin
• theophylline, for asthma

Lansoprazole and alcohol

You can drink alcohol whilst taking lansoprazole, but it is recommended to not drink too much, or to avoid it. Alcohol can cause lansoprazole to not work as well and can cause acid reflux symptoms. If you get symptoms after drinking alcohol, you may want to stop drinking alcohol until you have finished with your treatment. 

Can you take Gaviscon with lansoprazole?

Gaviscon is an antacid, which can be taken with lansoprazole, but you must speak with your doctor first. You should wait 2 hours after taking lansoprazole before taking Gaviscon. 

Back to top

Lansoprazole is not the only treatment for acid reflux. Superdrug Online Doctor provides many similar treatments for acid reflux, depending on your symptoms and suitability. The main treatments we sell include omeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole.

Omeprazole vs Lansoprazole

Omeprazole and lansoprazole are both PPIs. They work the same way to treat acid reflux. They are both taken once a day, in the morning. You can get lower doses of omeprazole without a prescription, whilst lansoprazole always needs a prescription. 

Lansoprazole may act faster for acid reflux and can treat acid reflux with lower doses than omeprazole. 

Lansoprazole vs Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole is also a PPI. It is not recommended for anyone under 12 years old. You can take esomeprazole at any time of the day, but it is best taken in the morning, like lansoprazole. You can take it with food, or without, whilst lansoprazole is only taken 30 minutes before food. You can get a lower dose of esomeprazole without a prescription, but you must speak with your doctor if you do not feel better after 2 weeks. 

Pantoprazole vs Lansoprazole

Pantoprazole is also a PPI. It may be taken as a tablet or liquid. You can get lower doses over the counter. It is taken once a day, in the morning. It is best taken an hour before a meal. Pantoprazole dose is usually 20mg a day whereas lansoprazole is 15mg or 30mg a day. 

Natural alternatives to Lansoprazole

There are natural alternatives to lansoprazole, but there is not enough evidence to prove their effectiveness. These include natural remedies that can be found online. 

The best way to treat acid reflux is with a PPI. There are some lifestyle changes that may also help, such as:

• eating smaller, more frequent meals
• losing weight, if you are overweight
• finding ways to relax
• sleeping with your chest and head above your waist
• avoiding any food and drinks that trigger your acid reflux symptoms
• not smoking
• not eating food 3 to 4 hours before sleeping
• avoiding or drinking less alcohol
• not wearing clothes that are too tight around your waist

Back to top

• Clinical trial: lansoprazole 15 or 30 mg once daily vs. placebo for treatment of frequent nighttime heartburn in self-treating subjects (2009) Wiley Online Library (accessed 25 October 2021)
• Heartburn and acid reflux (2020) NHS (accessed 25 October 2021)
• Lansoprazole (2018) NHS (accessed 25 October 2021)
• LANSOPRAZOLE (2021) NICE (accessed 25 October 2021)
• Lansoprazole 30mg Gastro-Resistant Capsules (2021) EMC (accessed 25 October 2021)
• Pharmacology of Proton Pump Inhibitors (2010) NCBI (accessed 01 November 2021) 
• Ranitidine (2021) NHS (accessed 25 October 2021)

Back to top