Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lansoprazole delayed-release (DR)* oral capsule for:
* A delayed-release (DR) drug doesn’t release the medication until it passes through your stomach. This prevents the drug from being inactivated by your stomach.
This article describes possible side effects of lansoprazole DR oral capsule. You can explore this overview article to learn more about lansoprazole, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.
Lansoprazole DR oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Prevacid. Lansoprazole also comes in a disintegrating oral tablet, but that form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about that form, talk with your doctor.
More common side effects of lansoprazole
Lansoprazole delayed-release (DR) oral capsule may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of lansoprazole DR oral capsule include:
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- nausea
Mild side effects of lansoprazole
Lansoprazole may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of lansoprazole delayed-release (DR) oral capsule that occurred in studies include:
- diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- bloating in your abdomen
- constipation
- nausea
- indigestion
- flatulence
- weight gain or loss*
- mild allergic reaction*
Lansoprazole DR oral capsule may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of lansoprazole in detail” section below.
Serious side effects of lansoprazole
Lansoprazole may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from lansoprazole delayed-release (DR) oral capsule, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with lansoprazole.
Serious side effects of lansoprazole DR oral capsule that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of lansoprazole in detail” section below.
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Common questions about side effects of lansoprazole
Here are answers to common questions about the side effects of lansoprazole delayed-release (DR) oral capsule. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does lansoprazole cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases, lansoprazole DR oral capsule may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time. Or they may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with lansoprazole DR oral capsule include:
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of lansoprazole may last.
When is the best time to take lansoprazole?
The best time to take lansoprazole DR oral capsule is before a meal.
Will I experience side effects after stopping lansoprazole?
No, it’s not expected. There aren’t unique side effects caused by stopping lansoprazole.
That said, if you stop taking lansoprazole, your stomach acid level will increase, and symptoms of the condition you were taking lansoprazole DR oral capsule to treat may return.
For this reason, talk with your doctor if you’re interested in stopping treatment with lansoprazole. They can review other treatments for your condition with you.
Side effects of lansoprazole in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of lansoprazole delayed-release (DR) oral capsule.
Interstitial nephritis
Interstitial nephritis was rare in studies of people using lansoprazole DR oral capsule. This side effect may be serious.
With interstitial nephritis, you experience sudden inflammation between the tubules of your kidneys. Kidney tubules play an important role in reabsorbing water and sending unnecessary substances into the urine. Inflammation (swelling and damage) of kidney tubules can cause mild to severe symptoms, including:
- decreased amount of urine
- feeling exhausted or fatigued
- blood in the urine
- nausea and vomiting
- fever
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of sudden tubulointerstitial nephritis, immediately tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment with lansoprazole right away. Depending on your symptoms, they may also recommend:
- seeking urgent medical care, if your symptoms are serious
- making an appointment with your doctor, if your symptoms are mild
Severe, life threatening skin reactions
In studies, severe, life threatening skin reactions were rare in people taking lansoprazole DR oral capsule.
Life threatening skin reactions reported with lansoprazole include:
Ways to manage
If you have symptoms of a severe, life threatening skin reaction, immediately call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.
Your doctor will have you stop taking lansoprazole should you develop a life threatening skin reaction from taking it.
Weight gain or loss
In studies, weight gain or weight loss was very rare in people taking lansoprazole DR oral capsule. This side effect is usually mild.
Weight gain or loss was so rare in studies of people taking lansoprazole that it isn’t known for sure whether lansoprazole actually caused these effects or they were due to other factors. There are many factors that affect weight, and it doesn’t appear that lansoprazole plays a significant role.
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about your weight, tell your doctor. They can review your medications and see if any could affect it. They can also review strategies to maintain a weight that you’re satisfied with.
For some people, lansoprazole DR oral capsule can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to lansoprazole DR oral capsule, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for lansoprazole
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking lansoprazole delayed-release (DR) oral capsule.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take lansoprazole DR oral capsule if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether lansoprazole DR oral capsule is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking lansoprazole DR oral capsule, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Lansoprazole and pregnancy
It’s not known whether lansoprazole DR oral capsule should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.
Lansoprazole and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether lansoprazole DR oral capsule should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Lansoprazole DR oral capsule isn’t known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with lansoprazole DR oral capsule.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of lansoprazole delayed-release (DR) oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does lansoprazole have similar side effects as other proton pump inhibitor drugs, such as omeprazole?
- Does prescription lansoprazole cause different side effects compared with over-the-counter lansoprazole?
- Does my age affect my risk of side effects from taking lansoprazole?
- How will I be monitored for long-term side effects if I need to use lansoprazole for a long time?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
