2 Before you take
Do not take Lansoprazole Gastro-resistant Capsules and tell your doctor if you:
- are allergic (hypersensitive) to lansoprazole or any of the other ingredients (see section 6).
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Lansoprazole Gastro-resistant Capsules if you:
- suffer from liver problems
- are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding
The possibility of malignant gastric tumour should be excluded before initiating treatment of gastric ulcer with lansoprazole.
Taking other medicines
You should always tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking.
This includes any medicines you have bought for yourself, as well as those prescribed for you by a doctor. Some medicines may interact with Lansoprazole Gastro-resistant Capsules. These include:
- Contraceptive pills
- Carbamazapine and phenytoin (medicines used in the treatment of epilepsy)
- Theophylline (a medicine used to treat breathing problems due to asthma or chronic bronchitis)
- Warfarin (a medicine used to thin the blood)
- Antacids (medicines used for indigestion)
- Sucralfate (a medicine used in the treatment of ulcers)
Do not take antacids or sucralfate at the same time as lansoprazole. These medicines should be taken at least an hour before or after taking lansoprazole.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breast-feeding do not take Lansoprazole Gastro-resistant Capsules.
Driving and using machines
Lansoprazole is not known to affect ability to drive or operate machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Lansoprazole Gastro-resistant Capsules
This product contains sucrose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
3 How to take
Always take Lansoprazole Gastro-resistant Capsules exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Swallow these capsules whole with a glass of water, preferably at the same time each day, in the morning before a meal. If the capsules are to be taken twice a day, then the second dose should be taken before the evening meal. Do not crush or chew the capsules.
Doses:
-
Adults (including the elderly)
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
The recommended dose for healing is 30mg once daily for four weeks. If your condition hasn’t healed with this time, your doctor will
continue your treatment for another four weeks.
The recommended dose for stopping it coming back is 15mg once daily for as long as your doctor decides. Your doctor may increase your
dose to 30mg once a day.
Duodenal ulcers
The recommended dose for healing is 30mg once daily for four weeks.
The recommended dose for stopping it coming back is 15mg once daily for as long as your doctor decides.
Gastric ulcers
The recommended dose is 30mg once daily for eight weeks.
Acid-related dyspepsia
The recommended dose for healing is 15mg or 30mg once daily for 2 to 4 weeks. Go back to your doctor if your symptoms do not get better
after this time or return soon after you have completed the course.
Stomach or duodenum ulcers and relief of symptoms caused by a NSAID
The recommended dose for healing is 15mg or 30mg once daily for four weeks. If your ulcers haven’t healed with this time, your doctor
will continue your treatment for another four weeks.
The recommended dose for stopping them coming back is 15mg or 30mg once daily for as long as your doctor decides.
Excessive production of acid in your stomach (e.g. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
The recommended initial dose is 60mg (2 x 30mg) once daily for as long as your doctor decides. The dosage should then be adjusted
individually. With doses above 120mg daily, the dose should be divided and taken twice daily.
Treating an infection caused by Helicobacter pylori
The recommended dose is 30mg twice daily for one week in combination with antibiotics.
-
Children
Lansoprazole Gastro-resistant Capsules should not be given to children.
-
Liver problems
Your doctor will prescribe a lower dose and increase it if necessary.
If you forget to take the capsules
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you forget to take a dose take it as soon as you remember it and then take the next dose at the right time.
If you take more than you should
If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of capsules at the same time, or you think a child may have swallowed any, contact your nearest
hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately. Take this leaflet and any remaining capsules that you have to show the doctor.
4 Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Lansoprazole Gastro-resistant Capsules can cause side effects in some patients. These effects do not usually last
for long with lansoprazole but you should see your doctor if any of the side effects are severe or bother you.
In particular, if any of the following happen, stop taking your medicine and tell your doctor immediately or go straight to the
casualty department at your nearest hospital:
- Shortness of breath, face swelling or another symptom of a serious allergic reaction
- Rash
- Reddening or blistering of your skin
- Yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes
- Fever
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- You feel very tired
- Difficulty urinating
While these are serious side effects that require urgent medical attention, they are very rare.
Other rare side effects include kidney problems, inflammation of the liver or changes in your kidney or liver function.
The natural acid in your stomach helps to kill bacteria.
Taking medicines like lansoprazole that reduce the amount of acid in the stomach can lead to certain stomach infections.
You should see your doctor as soon as possible if you:
- Get very bad or persistent diarrhoea
- Keep being sick (vomiting)
The milder side effects of lansoprazole are: headaches, diarrhoea, stomach pain, feelings of sickness, being sick (vomiting),
changes in the way things taste, dizziness, vertigo, confusion, blurred vision, hallucinations, feeling unwell, constipation, wind, dry or sore mouth and throat, tiredness, burning or prickling feeling, itching, hair thinning, sensitivity to light, muscle or joint pain, fluid retention, swelling and depression.
As with other proton pump inhibitors, men taking lansoprazole may experience breast swelling or impotence. This is however, very
unlikely to happen to you.
If you notice any side effects, they get worse, or if you notice any not listed, please tell your doctor ot pharmacist.
5 How to store
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original package, in order to protect from moisture.
Do not use Lansoprazole Gastro-resistant Capsules after the expiry date shown on the label/carton/bottle.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
This leaflet was last revised in November 2010.
