Lansoprazole is a medication used to treat gastric-related illnesses. It may be taken for a few weeks or long-term depending on the condition being treated. Know the essential information you need before starting your dose of this medicine through the article below.
What Is Lansoprazole?
Lansoprazole 30mg is a medication under the PPI drug class (Proton Pump Inhibitor) that treats stomach-related conditions, especially if caused by too much acid in the stomach. It is a recommended treatment for GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, erosive esophagitis, and indigestion.
This medicine is used together with certain antibiotics like clarithromycin or amoxicillin in treating stomach ulcers. It can also be used for ZES or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a condition that produces too much acid in the stomach.
What Is Lansoprazole Used For?
Lansoprazole is an anti-ulcer medication and is categorised as a PPI or proton pump inhibitor. It works by blocking excess acid production inside the stomach. PPI class drugs are used for treating conditions such as 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 obstructing these enzymes, the acid production is radically lessened thus enabling the oesophagus as well as the stomach to heal itself.
What Are The Benefits Of Lansoprazole?
Stomach pain caused by ulcers or too much acidity can be agonizing may prevent you from properly performing your daily tasks. Lansoprazole is beneficial in such circumstances, as it helps provide relief. It helps reduce acidity production of the stomach thus alleviating the symptoms and pain for patients. Due to these properties of Lansoprazole, they can get back to their daily activities and perform well.
How Do I Use Lansoprazole?
Swallow the lansoprazole tablet with water. Don’t break, 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.
If you need to administer the capsule via the NGT or nasogastric tube, you will need to open the Lansoprazole capsule and mix its contents with approximately 40 mL of apple juice. Do not add any other liquids. Pour the mixture on the NGT tube. Then use more juice to start flushing the mixture to rinse out all the medication and lead them to the stomach of the patient.
Before handling the medication, make sure your hands are thoroughly cleaned.
What Is The Proper Dosage For Lansoprazole?
The proper lansoprazole dosage should be advised by your doctor. This is to ensure the effective treatment of your current condition. Lansoprazole may treat stomach ulcers, GERD, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and hyperacidity. You are discouraged to decide on your own in taking a minimal dose or use beyond what is prescribed. Always consult your doctor before taking any medicine.
For patients with duodenal ulcers, the suggested dosage for adults from 18 years old and up is 15 mg once every day for 4 weeks.
For patients diagnosed with GERD or (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), the suggested dosage for adults aged 18 years old and above is 15 mg once every day for the next 8 weeks.
For patients aged 18 years and older who want to treat gastric ulcer and severe oesophagitis, the ideal dosage is 30 mg for the duration of four to eight weeks.
For patients aged 18 years and older who are suffering from a condition called Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, the recommended dosage is 60 mg a day. This dosage will be then eventually adjusted by the doctor based on the medical response of the patient. In some cases, patients with Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome are advised to take 180 mg of Lansoprazole tablet.
Patients who are unable to take oral Lansoprazole tablets may take the medication through IV insertion (intravenously). The prescribed intravenous dosage of Lansoprazole is 30 mg to be taken continuously for 7 days.
If your medical condition does not improve after taking Lansoprazole, or symptoms persist, inform your doctor so he can assess your condition. Never decide to stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is recommended to take Lansoprazole first thing in the morning, preferably 30 minutes before your meal because food slows down its absorption.
How Long Does Lansoprazole Take To Work?
The time needed for Lansoprazole to work depends on the condition being treated. You may be relieved from heartburn and indigestion symptoms straight away, or at least in the first few days of taking lansoprazole.
However, in some cases you may need to keep taking lansoprazole for a few weeks, depending on the conditions. Some people may be required to take lansoprazole on a long-term basis, either to control symptoms or to prevent the condition from coming back.
