Lansoprazole

Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

• Treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including erosive oesophagitis.
• Treatment and maintenance healing of duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer.
• Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in combination with appropriate antibiotics.
• Treatment and risk reduction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-associated gastric ulcers when clinically appropriate.
• Treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Adult dosing depends on the diagnosis, severity, other medicines, and treatment goal. Lansoprazole is usually taken before food, often before breakfast; some conditions may require a different schedule or combination therapy as prescribed. Capsules should generally be swallowed whole, and pellets should not be crushed or chewed unless the product instructions specifically allow a recommended method of administration. Follow the prescribing doctor’s exact dose and duration, and do not continue long-term use without medical review.

• Common side effects may include headache, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, flatulence, dizziness, and dry mouth.
• Serious but uncommon effects include severe allergic reaction, severe or persistent diarrhoea, Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhoea, low magnesium levels, vitamin B12 deficiency with long-term use, kidney inflammation, liver problems, skin reactions, and lupus-like skin or joint symptoms.
• Long-term or high-dose use may be associated with an increased risk of bone fractures and fundic gland polyps.

Use lansoprazole carefully in people with liver disease, a history of low magnesium, osteoporosis or fracture risk, vitamin B12 deficiency risk, kidney problems, or recurrent diarrhoea. Seek medical review if symptoms persist, worsen, or include alarm features such as difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood, black stools, chest pain, or unexplained weight loss. Long-term therapy should be periodically reviewed, and magnesium or vitamin B12 monitoring may be considered in selected patients. Use this medicine under the guidance of a registered doctor or pharmacist.

• Medicines needing stomach acid for absorption may be affected, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, erlotinib, and some iron salts.
• HIV medicines such as atazanavir, nelfinavir, and rilpivirine may have reduced effectiveness; some combinations should be avoided or are contraindicated.
• Warfarin may require closer INR monitoring due to possible bleeding risk changes.
• High-dose methotrexate levels may increase; temporary interruption of proton pump inhibitor therapy may be considered by the doctor.
• Digoxin, tacrolimus, and certain other medicines may need monitoring.
• Sucralfate can reduce lansoprazole absorption; separate administration as advised by a healthcare professional.
• Food can reduce or delay absorption, so lansoprazole is usually taken before meals.

• Known hypersensitivity to lansoprazole, other proton pump inhibitors or substituted benzimidazoles, or any component of the product.
• Concomitant use with rilpivirine-containing medicines is contraindicated because reduced rilpivirine exposure may lead to loss of antiviral effect.

During pregnancy, lansoprazole should be used only when clinically needed and after discussion with a doctor. Available human data for proton pump inhibitors have not shown a clear major risk, but treatment choice should be individualised. It is not well established whether lansoprazole passes into human breast milk; breastfeeding mothers should consult a doctor to weigh the benefits and possible risks to the infant.

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light, heat, and moisture. Keep the medicine in its original packaging, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date or if the capsule or pellets appear damaged or discoloured.