Generic name: Lansoprazole [ lan-SOE-pra-zol ]
Brand names: Zoton/Prevacid
Uses: Reducing stomach acid
Tablet forms: 15 mg; 30 mg
Drug class: Proton pump inhibitors
Lansoprazole is a commonly used medication prescribed to treat symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). It is also taken to prevent and treat painful stomach and duodenal ulcers.
It belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These drugs target the enzymes in the stomach lining that generate gastric acid, helping to lower total acid levels.
Lansoprazole is used for people with:
Acid reflux and heartburn
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Stomach (gastric) or intestinal (duodenal) ulcers
Conditions caused by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, where stomach protection is needed
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infections (given alongside antibiotics)
Rare conditions that cause excessive acid production, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Standard Acid Reflux/GORD: Typically 15 mg to 30 mg taken once daily for 4 to 8 weeks to allow the esophagus or stomach lining to heal.
Stomach and Duodenal Ulcers: Usually prescribed at 30 mg once daily, running for 2 to 4 weeks for duodenal ulcers and 4 to 8 weeks for gastric ulcers.
H. pylori Eradication: A higher dose of 30 mg taken twice daily, used as part of a 7-to-14-day triple-therapy combination alongside two targeted antibiotics.
Maintenance & Long-Term Prevention: Often stepped down to a lower maintenance dose of 15 mg once daily to prevent acid reflux or ulcers from returning.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: Starts at a much higher dose of 60 mg once daily, which a doctor may adjust upwards of 120 mg to 180 mg per day in divided doses.
Lansoprazole side effects are generally mild and clear up after stopping the medication.
Headaches
Feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting
Diarrhoea or constipation
Stomach pain or flatulence (wind)
Dizziness or fatigue
Serious side effects are rare, but long-term use (more than a year) can increase the risk of bone fractures, gut infections, or vitamin B12 deficiency. If you experience severe, watery diarrhoea, or unusual joint pain, seek medical advice promptly.
As a proton pump inhibitor, lansoprazole functions by turning down the activity of “proton pumps” — the tiny cellular mechanisms responsible for pumping acid into your stomach.
By curbing acid production, lansoprazole gives the irritated lining of your food pipe (oesophagus) and stomach a chance to heal, while relieving painful burning sensations.
Your doctor may monitor:
Symptom improvement to ensure the dose is effective
Sodium and magnesium levels (via blood tests) if you are taking the medicine for longer than 3 months
Vitamin B12 levels and bone health if you remain on the medication long-term (over a year)
Potential medication interactions, especially if you take antacids, which should be spaced at least 2 hours apart from lansoprazole
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