Drug Notes

Lansoprazole (By mouth)

Lansoprazole (lan-SOE-pra-zole)

Treats stomach ulcers, a damaged esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and high levels of stomach acid. This medicine is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Brand Name(s):

First-Lansoprazole, Heartburn Treatment 24 Hour, Prevacid, Prevacid SoluTab, Prevpac, Rite Aid Lansoprazole, Topcare Lansoprazole, Triple Therapy

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Delayed Release Capsule, Liquid, Packet, Tablet Disintegrating, Delayed Release

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.
• Take this medicine before you eat and for the full treatment time, even if you begin to feel better after a few days.
• Capsule: Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
  • If you cannot swallow the capsule, you may open it and mix the contents in 1 tablespoon of applesauce, Ensure® pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, or strained pears. You may also use 1/4 cup (60 milliliters [mL]) of apple, orange, or tomato juice. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. If you used juice, refill the cup 2 more times and drink it to make sure you get the full dose.
  • To prepare for a feeding tube:
    • Open the capsule and mix the contents with 40 mL of apple juice. Do not use any other liquids.
    • Inject or pour the mixture into the tube.
    • Flush the tube with more apple juice to make sure the full dose is given.
• Tablet: Dry your hands before you handle the tablet. Do not crush, chew, break, or cut the tablet. Place the tablet on your tongue and allow it to dissolve. Once the tablet dissolves, swallow it right away.
  • To prepare for an oral syringe:
    • Place the tablet in the oral syringe. Add 4 mL of water for the 15-milligram (mg) tablet or 10 mL of water for the 30-mg tablet.
    • Shake the syringe gently until the tablet dissolves.
    • Use the mixture within 15 minutes.
    • To make sure the full dose is given, refill the syringe with water. Use 2 mL of water for the 15-mg tablet or 5 mL for the 30-mg tablet. Shake the syringe gently and give the mixture.
  • To prepare for a feeding tube:
    • Place the tablet in the syringe. Add 4 mL of water for the 15-mg tablet or 10 mL for the 30-mg tablet.
    • Shake the syringe gently until the tablet dissolves.
    • Inject or pour the mixture into the tube within 15 minutes.
    • Refill the syringe with 5 mL of water and shake it gently. Flush the tube with the water to make sure the full dose is given.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Lansoprazole affects digestion and may keep other medicines from working correctly. Tell your doctor if you are also using any of the following:
  • Ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, erlotinib, ketoconazole, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, nelfinavir, tacrolimus, or theophylline
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • Iron supplements
• If you also take sucralfate, take lansoprazole 30 minutes before you take sucralfate.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, lupus, osteoporosis, or phenylketonuria (PKU).
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Kidney problems
  • Low vitamin B12 or magnesium levels in the blood
  • Increased risk of broken bones in the hip, wrist, or spine
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Fever, joint pain, swelling in your body, unusual weight gain, change in how much or how often you urinate
• Joint pain, rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun
• Seizures, dizziness, fast or uneven heartbeat, muscle cramps or twitching
• Severe diarrhea that does not go away, stomach cramps, fever

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017