Lansoprazole (lan-SOE-pra-zole ) is used to treat certain conditions in which there is too much acid in the stomach. It is used to treat duodenal and gastric ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which the acid in the stomach washes back up into the esophagus. Sometimes lansoprazole is used in combination with antibiotics to treat ulcers associated with infection caused by the H. pylori bacteria (germ).

Lansoprazole is also used to treat Zollinger-Ellison disease, a condition in which the stomach produces too much acid.

Lansoprazole works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

This medicine is available only with your doctors prescription.

Oral
Delayed-release capsules (U.S. and Canada)
Delayed-release oral suspension (U.S.)
Delayed-release orally disintegrating tablets (U.S.)
Parenteral
Injection (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For lansoprazole, the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to lansoprazole. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy?Studies have not been done in humans. However, studies in animals have not shown that lansoprazole causes harm to the fetus.

Breast-feeding?Lansoprazole may pass into the breast milk. Since this medicine has been shown to cause unwanted effects such as tumors in animals, it may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast-feeding during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.

Children?There is no specific information comparing the use of oral lansoprazole in children less than 1 year of age with use in other age groups. It is safe to use oral lansoprazole to treat heartburn and erosive esophagitis in people between 1 and 17 years of age.

Studies on lansoprazole for injection have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of lansoprazole for injection in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults?In studies done to date that have included older adults, lansoprazole did not cause different side effects or problems than it did in younger adults.

Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking lansoprazole, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Sucralfate (e.g., Carafate)?Oral lansoprazole should be taken at least 30 minutes before sucralfate so that lansoprazole will be properly absorbed
Warfarin (e.g., Coumadin)?May increase your chance of bleeding side effects. Your doctor may test your blood after you start lansoprazole and after you stop lansoprazole.

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include constipation or diarrhea. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience stomach pain. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

If you are taking this medicine for gastric ulcers or reflux disease, your symptoms should improve within 4 to 8 weeks. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, contact your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

This medicine is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), erosive esophagitis, or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Lansoprazole may also be used to treat ulcers due to long-term use of certain pain/anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This medicine works by blocking acid production in the stomach. It may be used in combination with antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, clarithromycin) to treat certain types of ulcers. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

To store this medicine:

Keep out of the reach of children.
Store away from heat and direct light.
Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular intervals. If your condition does not improve, or if it becomes worse, discuss this with your doctor.