Lansoprazole

Lansoprazole is used to treat acid-related throat problems (erosive esophagitis). It works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Decreasing excess stomach acid can help relieve symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, persistent cough, and trouble sleeping. It can also prevent serious acid damage to your digestive system (e.g., ulcers, cancer of the esophagus).

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Give this medication by vein (intravenously-IV) over 30 minutes in a proper IV solution, usually once daily, or as directed by your doctor. Follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids. Mix this drug first with sterile water (for injection) only. Consult your pharmacist about which IV fluid to use for dilution or if you have any questions about how to prepare or use this medication. This medication may contain small particles after it is added to the IV solution. It is very important to use the provided IV filter (or "in-line" filter) while giving this solution. Consult your pharmacist about the proper use of this filter. When you are able to take medicines by mouth, your doctor will switch your treatment to an oral form of this drug. If needed, antacids may be taken along with this medication. The dosage and length of treatment is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Continue to use this medication for the prescribed length of treatment even if you are feeling better. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: atazanavir, nelfinavir. If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting lansoprazole. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: cilostazol, theophylline, voriconazole, warfarin. Some products need stomach acid so that the body can absorb them properly (such as ampicillin, iron supplements, calcium supplements, dasatinib, azole antifungals including ketoconazole). Lansoprazole decreases stomach acid, so it may change how well these other products work. Before using lansoprazole, consult your doctor or pharmacist about the other medications you take and for advice on how to reduce or avoid these types of interactions. Based on information for similar drugs, lansoprazole may increase the amount of digoxin that is absorbed into your blood. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details if you also take digoxin. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Before using lansoprazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (e.g., omeprazole, pantoprazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, other stomach problems (e.g., tumors). Some symptoms may actually be signs of a more serious condition. Tell your doctor immediately if you have: heartburn combined with lightheadedness/sweating/dizziness, chest pain or shoulder/jaw pain (especially with trouble breathing), pain spreading to arms/neck/shoulders, unexplained weight loss. Proton pump inhibitors (such as lansoprazole) may increase your risk of bone fractures, especially with longer use, higher doses, and in older adults. Talk with your doctor about ways to prevent bone loss/fracture, such as taking calcium (such as calcium citrate) and vitamin D supplements. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk, but it may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store vials at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. After mixing, the vial solution is good for 1 hour at room temperature. Discard any unused portion of the vial. Once the mixed drug is diluted further in IV fluids, this final product is stable at room temperature for 12-24 hours depending on the type of IV solution used. Check with your pharmacist for further details. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Headache, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or redness/swelling/pain at the injection site may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: stomach pain. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.