How effective is lansoprazole for treating acid reflux?

What is lansoprazole?

Lansoprazole is an acid reflux medication which belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors. It reduces stomach acid by blocking the hydrogen-potassium adenosine triphosphatase enzyme system (the ‘proton pump’)  in the stomach's parietal cells. Most doctors recommend lansoprazole 15 mg-30mg to treat indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). But it is also prescribed to patients with stomach ulcers or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome caused by a tumour in the pancreas or gut.

Lansoprazole capsules and orodispersible tablets are available with a prescription. Search for lansoprazole and order it online from a registered pharmacy after a consultation with a healthcare professional.

Is lansoprazole effective for treating acid reflux?

Lansoprazole is approved for treating acid reflux. Studies support its safety and clinical efficacy for long-term maintenance therapy to prevent reflux symptoms and erosive oesophagitis.

In a phase III study, lansoprazole reduced night heartburn for 94%–95% of participants with acid reflux. The medication maintained erosive esophagitis remission in 75% of the patients receiving the treatment. Heartburn is the most common acid reflux symptom. Another study found that lansoprazole reduced heartburn for 75.7 % of patients after 4 weeks of treatment. And 68.7 % of the patients reported improved dyspepsia symptoms.

The therapeutic effect and efficacy of lansoprazole vary depending on the dosage. Each lansoprazole capsule or tablet has 15 to 30 mg of active drug ingredients.

Doctors prescribe 15-30 mg of lansoprazole daily to treat acid reflux, indigestion, and stomach ulcers. People with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome take 60 mg of lansoprazole daily.

Doctors can increase the dosage to 120 mg if 60 mg doesn’t deliver the desired results. But most patients only need lansoprazole 15-30 mg capsules to treat or prevent heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and other acid reflux symptoms. You can buy lansoprazole in the UK from registered online pharmacies.

Lansoprazole is available as an oral capsule and an orodispersible tablet. Take lansoprazole in the morning or at least 30 minutes before a meal or snack to maximise its therapeutic effect. Your doctor can prescribe lansoprazole capsules with other drugs as part of combination therapy.

Most adults and children can take lansoprazole capsules. But it isn’t suitable for everyone. Lansoprazole isn’t prescribed to people with liver problems or who are about to have an endoscopy. Doctors prescribe lower doses for children, older people, and patients with liver conditions. Inform your healthcare provider if you've had an allergic reaction to lansoprazole or other medicines. Your doctor can recommend lansoprazole alternatives, like omeprazole, if you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. Omeprazole is safe for pregnant women.

Most people don’t experience complications after taking lansoprazole. But it can cause mild side effects. Some people experience headaches, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, itchy skin rashes, constipation, dry mouth or throat, dizziness, and tiredness. These side effects disappear when you stop taking the drug or after your body adapts to the medication. Don’t take other medicines to treat headaches, diarrhoea, or vomiting without speaking to your doctor. You can adopt tried-and-tested strategies to cope with the side effects of PPIs. For example, drinking fluids and resting can help reduce headaches, diarrhoea, and vomiting. Contact your doctor if the side effects last longer than a week or worsen.

Taking Lansoprazole for more than 3 months can decrease your blood magnesium levels.

This can cause symptoms such as tiredness, confusion and dizziness, as well as muscle twitches, shaking and an irregular heartbeat. Contact your doctor or call 111 if you get any of these symptoms.

Taking lansoprazole for more than 1 year may increase your chances of certain side effects, including:

• bone fractures
• gut infections
• Vitamin B12 deficiency – symptoms include feeling very tired, a sore and red tongue, mouth ulcers and pins and needles

If you take lansoprazole for more than 1 year, your doctor should check your health to see if it is still suitable for you.

You must contact your doctor if you have any new symptoms, if your symptoms change, or if anything does not feel normal for you. This is because sometimes lansoprazole can mask symptoms of serious illnesses such as stomach cancer.

Which works better, omeprazole or lansoprazole?

Omeprazole is the best alternative to lansoprazole. Omeprazole and lansoprazole are PPIs prescribed by doctors to treat acid reflux. Both inhibit the proton pump to reduce gastric acid production in the stomach. But they come in different dosage strengths.

Omeprazole is sold in the UK as Losec MUPS with 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg tablets. You can take omeprazole or lansoprazole capsules to treat acid reflux symptoms.

Lansoprazole is faster-acting and more potent than omeprazole. But omeprazole is the go-to alternative for reducing gastric acidity. Both are low-risk medications. So, you don’t have to worry about severe side effects.

Does lansoprazole get rid of acid reflux?

Doctors prescribe lansoprazole 20 mg to treat acid reflux symptoms. This drug works on the stomach's lining to help reduce gastric acid production. So, you can take lansoprazole capsules to relieve acid reflux. Lansoprazole also prevents and treats indigestion, stomach ulcers, and GORD.

Does lansoprazole get rid of acid reflux?

The effectiveness of lansoprazole for treating acid reflux is undeniable. But some foods can trigger or worsen your symptoms. So, they can reduce lansoprazole’s effectiveness. Avoid peppermint, tomatoes, spicy foods, chocolate, hot drinks, coffee, and alcoholic drinks. Talk to your doctor to determine the best diet to combat acid reflux and hasten your recovery.

Bottom Line

Lansoprazole is one of the best and safest medications for acid reflux. It is a relatively low-risk drug with a few mild side effects. You can buy lansoprazole online in the UK. Search for lansoprazole in the UK and order your acid reflux medication from an online doctor. Ensure you get your lansoprazole capsules from a trusted and registered pharmacy like Ashcroft.