Lansoprazole

What is Lansoprazole?

Lansoprazole is a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) medication that treats stomach ailments especially the presence of too much acid in the stomach. It treats GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, erosive esophagitis, and indigestion.

The drug is used in conjunction with certain antibiotics as clarithromycin or amoxicillin in treating stomach ulcers. The medication is likewise used to cure ZES or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a condition that produces too much acid in the stomach.

How does Lansoprazole work?

Lansoprazole is an anti-ulcer medication. It is categorized as a PPI or proton pump inhibitor which blocks excess acid production inside the stomach. PPI drugs are used for treating ulcers, GERD, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and hyperacidity. Like other PPI drugs, Lansoprazole works by blocking the enzymes inside the stomach walls that create acid. By effectively blocking these enzymes, the acid production is radically reduced and it enables the oesophagus as well as the stomach to heal itself.

What are the benefits of Lansoprazole?

Stomach pain caused by ulcers or too much acid production can be distressing and it prevents one from performing daily tasks. This is where the drug Lansoprazole comes in handy. It helps reduce acidity levels inside the stomach enabling lesser symptoms and pain for patients. Once treated, they are back to their daily activities in no time.

How do I use Lansoprazole?

Lansoprazole comes in a delayed release capsule and in a delayed-release orally disintegrating tablet. Take the capsule as a whole, do not crush, gnaw, or chew it. If you are unable to swallow it, the capsule contents can be mixed with apple or orange juice, and then swallow the whole mixture. Do not chew the granules.

To administer the capsule via the NGT or nasogastric tube, open the Lansoprazole capsule and mix the contents with approximately forty (40) milliliters of apple juice. Do not add any other liquids. Pour the mixture on the NGT tube. Then start to flush the mixture with more juice to rinse out all the medication and lead them to the stomach of the patient.

To administer the delayed-release orally disintegrating Lansoprazoletablet, open the packaging and do not chew, crush, or break the tablet. Place the Lansoprazole tablet under the tongue and it can be taken with or without water. Enable the Lansoprazole tablet to dissolve into minute particles and swallow them immediately.

In either case, make sure your hands are clean before handling the medicine.

Lansoprazole dosage

For the effective treatment of stomach ulcers, GERD, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and hyper acidity, make sure you follow your doctor’s advice on the proper dosage to be used for your treatment. Do not use a minimal dose or use beyond what is prescribed. Always consult your doctor before taking any medicine.

For patients with duodenal ulcers, the recommended dosage for adults aged 18 years and older is 15 milligrams once every day for the next 4 weeks.

For patients with GERD or (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), the recommended dosage for adults aged 18 years old and above is 15 milligrams once every day for the next 8 weeks.

For patients who intend to use Lansoprazoletablet for long term maintenance of GERD  or (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) or Duodenal ulcer, the recommended dosage for daily use is one 15 milligram of Lansoprazoletablet for 8 weeks.

For patients aged 18 years and older who want to treat gastric ulcer and severe esophagitis, the ideal dosage is 30 milligrams for the duration of four to eight weeks.

For patients aged 18 years and older who wanted to treat their Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, the recommended dosage is 60 milligrams a day. This dosage will be then eventually adjusted based on the medical response of the patient. There are some cases where patients with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome are advised to take 180 milligrams of Lansoprazole tablet.

Patients who are unable to take oral Lansoprazole tablets may take the medication intravenously. The prescribed intravenous dosage of Lansoprazole is 30 milligrams to be taken for 7 days continuously.

If your medical condition does not improve after taking Lansoprazole, or where it becomes worse, talk to your nurse, medical doctor, or pharmacist and let them know about your condition. Never attempt to stop taking the medication without informing your physician.

Side effects and precautions

Like any other PPI medications, Lansoprazolecomes with its fair share of side effects. But, not all people are able to get them. If you are wary about the adverse of the drug, always check on the product information leaflet for a list of side effects.

Here are the most common side effects of Lansoprazole medication:

For Adults:

• Gas
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea

For Children:

• Gas
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Headache
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Fever

The reported side effects in children are quite similar to that of adults with the exception of fever. Many pediatric patients are able to catch fever on top of the side effects of Lansoprazole mentioned here.

Should these side effects occur, they are often mild and will surely go away in a few days or weeks. If they are rather severe and do not go away easily, make sure to contact your nurse, pharmacist, or physician regarding it.

There are some few cases of reported serious side effects of Lansoprazole. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. Contact 911 if your symptoms appear to be fatal or life-threatening or where your condition requires immediate medical attention.

Here are the serious side effects of Lansoprazole:

• Jitteriness
• Muscle weakness
• Exhaustion or tiredness
• Dizzinesmethotrs
• Seizures
• Abnormal heart rate
• Fast heart rate or palpitations
• Cramps
• Joint or muscle aches
• Spasm of your voice box
• Tremors
• Spasms of your hands and feet
• Water retention
• Low magnesium levels

Using Lansoprazole for more than three months can drastically reduce magnesium levels in the body. If you have used the medication for longer period and or you want to stop the medication altogether, consult your nurse, doctor, or pharmacist before doing so. Do not attempt to increase your dose or lower it without proper advice from a health care professional.

This medication can interact with other drugs, supplements, vitamins, or herbs patients might be taking. The interaction occurs when another medicine impacts the way a certain medication works in the body. This can hinder the way the drug works and can be very dangerous. Avoid these interactions by asking your doctor and let him know about all the medications, supplements, and herbs you are taking to ensure that Lansoprazole will work effectively for you.

Lansoprazole does not cause drowsiness. One can still drive, operate machinery, or perform tasks that require mental alertness and focus while on medication. However, there are some side effects that can be experienced. The side effects can differ from one person to another considering their age, medical condition, treatment taken, and more. Always consult your doctor before taking any medication.

How do I buy Lansoprazole online?

You can safely buy Lansoprazole online at UK Meds. You will need first to have an online consultation with a medical doctor before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Lansoprazole is the right medication for your medical condition.

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