Lansoprazole (By mouth)

Introduction

Lansoprazole (lan-SOE-pra-zole)

Treats stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis, and other conditions caused by too much stomach acid (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). This medicine is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Brand Name(s)

Prevacid SoluTab, Prevacid, Prevpac, Prevacid NapraPAC 375, Prevacid NapraPAC 500, Rite Aid Lansoprazole, Prevacid Solutab

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Delayed Release Capsule, Tablet Disintegrating, Delayed Release

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.
• Take this medicine before you eat and for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days.
• If you are taking this medicine with antibiotics (such as amoxicillin or clarithromycin) to treat an ulcer, take it together with the antibiotics at the same time of day.
• To use the capsule:
  • Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
  • If the capsule cannot be swallowed, open it and sprinkle the contents on one tablespoonful of applesauce, Ensure® pudding, cottage cheese, yogurt, or strained pears. Swallow the mixture right away. Do not chew or crush the granules.
  • The contents of the capsule can also be mixed with 2 ounces (1/4 cup or 60 mL) of apple juice, orange juice, or tomato juice. After mixing, drink and swallow the mixture right away. Do not chew or crush the granules. Refill the cup 2 more times with juice and drink all of the liquid to make sure you swallow any medicine leftover in the glass.
• To use the capsule with a nasogastric (NG) tube:
  • Open the capsule and mix the contents with 40 mL of apple juice. Do not use any other liquids.
  • Inject or pour the mixture into the nasogastric tube.
  • Flush the tube with more apple juice to rinse all of the medicine from the tube into the stomach.
• To use the orally disintegrating tablet:
  • Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet.
  • Do not crush, chew, break, or cut the tablet.
  • Place the tablet on the tongue, with or without water, and allow it to dissolve into particles. Swallow the particles right away.
• To use the orally disintegrating tablet with an oral syringe:
  • Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet.
  • Do not crush, break, or cut the tablet.
  • For the 15 mg tablet: Place it in the oral syringe and add 4 mL of water.
  • For the 30 mg tablet: Place it in the oral syringe and add 10 mL of water.
  • Shake the syringe gently until the tablet dissolves and is mixed well.
  • Give the mixture within 15 minutes.
  • Refill the syringe with 2 mL (15 mg tablet) or 5 mL (30 mg tablet) of water and shake it gently. Give the mixture to make sure all of the medicine is taken.
• To use the orally disintegrating tablet with a nasogastric (NG) tube:
  • Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet.
  • Do not crush, break, or cut the tablet.
  • For the 15 mg tablet: Place it in the syringe and add 4 mL of water.
  • For the 30 mg tablet: Place it in the syringe and add 10 mL of water.
  • Shake the syringe gently until the tablet dissolves and is mixed well.
  • Inject or pour the mixture into the nasogastric tube within 15 minutes.
  • Refill the syringe with 5 mL of water and shake it gently. Flush the tube with the water to rinse all of the medicine from the tube into the stomach.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using ampicillin, atazanavir (Reyataz®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), sucralfate (Carafate®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), or theophylline (Theo-Dur®). Your doctor should know if you use a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®), or an iron supplement such as ferrous sulfate or ferric gluconate.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a diuretic or "water pill" (such as bumetanide, chlorothiazide, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], indapamide, metolazone, torsemide, Bumex®, Demadex®, Diuril®, Edecrin®, Lasix®, Lozol®, or Zaroxolyn®) or certain medicines to treat high blood pressure (such as atenolol, enalapril, lisinopril, losartan, metoprolol, olmesartan, valsartan, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Toprol®, or Zestril®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, or a history of low magnesium in the blood or seizures.
• Tell your doctor if you have a disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU). The tablet form of this medicine contains phenylalanine (aspartame), which can make this condition worse.
• This medicine is sometimes given together with other medicines to treat ulcers. Be sure you understand the proper use of any other medicine your doctor gives you with lansoprazole.
• This medicine may cause hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood). This is more likely to occur if you are taking this medicine for more than one year, or if you are taking this medicine together with digoxin (Lanoxin®) or certain diuretics or "water pills". Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have convulsions (seizures); fast, racing, or uneven heartbeat; muscle spasms (tetany); tremors; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Black, tarry stools.
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
• Chest pain.
• Convulsions (seizures), muscle spasms (tetany), or tremors.
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or stomach pain.
• Dry mouth or trouble swallowing.
• Headache.
• Unusual or bad taste in your mouth.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088