Lansoprazole

Lansoprazole (lan-SOE-pra-zole, INN) is a proton pump inhibitor which prevents the stomach from producing acid.

Pharmacology

Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) similar to omeprazole. Lansoprazole's plasma elimination half-life is not proportional to the duration of the drug's effects (ie. gastric acid suppression). The plasma elimination half-life is 1.5 hours or less, and the effects of the drug last for over 24 hours after it has been used for 5 days or more.

Indications

Lansoprazole is indicated for:

  • Treatment of ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, and NSAID-induced ulcers
  • Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (also known as acid reflux disease)
  • Treatment of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
  • Treatment of Barrett's oesophagus
  • Adjunctive treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, alongside antibiotics

    • Contraindications

  • Absorption of lansoprazole is reduced by antacids.
  • PPI’s reduce absorption of antifungals (itraconazole and ketoconazole) and possibly increase Digoxin in plasma
  • Increases plasma concentrations of Cilostazol (risk of toxicity)
  • Absorption of lansoprazole possibly reduced by:o sucralfateo ampicillino bisacodylo delavirdineo fluvoxamineo iron saltso theophyllineo voriconazoleo aminophylline and theophyllineo astemizole

    • Side effects

  • Infrequent: dry mouth, insomnia, drowsiness, blurred vision, rash, pruritus
  • Rarely and very rarely: taste disturbance, liver dysfunction, peripheral oedema, hypersensitivity reactions (including bronchospasm, urinary, angioedema, anaphylaxis), photosensitivity, fever, sweating, depression, interstitial nephritis, blood disorders (including leukopaenia, leukocytosis, pancytopaenia, thrombocytopaenia), arthralgia, myalgia, skin reactions (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, bullous eruption)
  • Increases the risk of gastric-intestinal infections by reducing gastric acidity.
  • Severe: Gastro-intestinal disturbances (such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhoea, constipation), headache, dizziness

    • Brand names

    The drug is sold with the following brand names:

  • Lansox® (Italy)
  • Limpidex® (Italy)
  • Prevacid® (U.S. and Canada)
  • Takepron® (Japan)
  • Zoton® (Italy)

    Lansoprazole is also available as a generic drug in Italy.

    • © Medic8 ® All Rights Reserved.