LANSOPRAZOLE  (Generic Name)

Also called Zoton or Prevacid)

(Chemical formula: C₁₆H₁₄F₃N₃O₂S)

About

Lansoprazole (Zoton or Prevacid) is used to treat duodenal and benign gastric ulcer (whether associated with Helicobacter pylori or not), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), NSAID-associated duodenal or gastric ulcer, gastroduodenal erosions and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Lansoprazole is also called Zoton or Prevacid.

Lansoprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor which inhibits the secretion of gastric juices and works in a similar way to Rabeprazole (Aciphex, Pariet).

It has been found also be effective in conjunction with antibiotics in the treatment of ulcers caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.

Dosages

For healing of GERD – 30mg to be taken once daily for 4-8 weeks.  The maintenance dose is 15-30mg daily.

For benign gastric ulcer -  30mg to be taken daily in the morning for 8 weeks.

For duodenal ulcer – 30mg to be taken daily after the morning meal for 4 weeks. For maintenance for recurrent cases take 15mg daily.  For prevention of relapse take 10mg daily increasing to 20mg daily if symptoms return.

For NSAID associated duodenal or gastric ulcer and gastroduodenal erosions, take 30mg daily for 4-8 weeks.  In order to prevent recurrence in individuals continuing to take NSAIDs take 15-30mg once daily.

For Zollinger-Ellison syndrome –  Initially 60mg once daily.  However, different individuals respond differently to Lansoprazole and the dose may be adjusted up or down accordingly up to a maximum of 120mg daily, which may be split into two equal doses daily.

For individuals with gastric ulcer and Helicobacter pylori infection – Rabeprazole

is usually combined with antibiotic treatment using two different antibiotics, namely Amoxicillin (1000mg to be taken twice daily for 10 days) and Clarithromycin (500mg to be taken twice daily for 10 days).  If you are following this treatment it is very important to take the antibiotics for a full 10 days.  After cessation of this combined therapy, take 20mg Lansoprazole alone once daily for a further 18 days.

Lansoprazole should be taken before eating.  They should be taken whole, rather than crushed or chewed. 

However, if you have difficulty swallowing capsules, you can sprinkle the contents of the capsule on apple sauce, cottage cheese, yoghurt or strained pears. Alternatively, sprinkle the contents on a small amount of orange, tomato, or apple juice.

Do not use the combined Lansoprazole//Clarimomycin treatment if you are allergic to penicillin or other macrolide antibiotic.  (also see separate description for Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin for side effects and precautions for these drugs.  Clarithromycin should not be taken by pregnant women.

Lansoprazole is not recommended for children (without the supervision of a doctor), or nursing mothers.

Store this medication at 15-30⁰ away from light and moisture.

Side Effects

Lansoprazole (Zoton or Prevacid) is well tolerated in the vast majority of individuals, both in the short and long term.

The most common side effects are abdominal pain (2.1% as opposed to 1.2% with a placebo, diarrhoea (3.8% as opposed to 2.3 with a placebo), constipation, nausea.

Less common side effects are dry mouth, insomnia, blurred vision, rash, pruritis, and drowsiness

Also reported:  paraesthesia, vertigo, alopecia, gynaecomastia (rare), impotence, bruising, purpura, petechiae, fatigue, vertigo, hallucinations, confusion.  These side effects are more likely if you take an overdose of Lansoprazole.

Rare or very rare side effects are liver dysfunction, peripheral oedema, allergic reactions, photosensitivity, fever, sweating, depression, myalgia, arthralgia, skin eruptions, interstitial nephritis and blood disorders.

If taken with antibiotics, the latter may cause a severe allergic reaction in some individuals (anaphylactic shock).  The symptoms of this are difficulty in breathing, increased heart rate, swelling of the tongue and face, panic.  If you experience these symptoms seeks medical help immediately

Precautions

Lansoprazole should not be used in individuals who are breast feeding without first consulting a doctor.

Do not use if you are suffering from acute hepatic failure.

Not recommended for children.

If you are taking sucralfate, you should leave a gap of 30 minutes between taking sucralfate and Lansoprazole.

If taken with antibiotics, the latter may cause a severe allergic reaction in some individuals (anaphylactic shock).  The symptoms of this are difficulty in breathing, increased heart rate, swelling of the tongue and face, panic.  If you experience these symptoms seeks medical help immediately.

Clarimomycin should not be taken if you are pregnant.

How does it work

Lansoprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor which blocks the hydrogen-potassium adenosine triphosphatase enzyme system which acts as a proton pump for gastric parietal cells. It thus inhibits the secretion of gastric juices. 

More information

Lansoprazole is metabolised in the liver.  Most is excreted via the faeces with a small amount excreted via the urine.

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