Lansoprazole

Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on June 28, 2023

This article describes lansoprazole’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of lansoprazole.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as lansoprazole for certain conditions. Approved uses for lansoprazole are described below.

Use for certain digestive conditions

Doctors may prescribe lansoprazole delayed-release* oral capsule or orally disintegrating* tablet (ODT) for treating digestive conditions. Specifically, it’s used for:

• ulcers (sores) in the upper part of the small intestine in adults
• Helicobacter pylori infection (also known as H. Pylori, a bacterial infection that can cause intestinal ulcers to come back) in adults
• noncancerous stomach ulcers in adults
• stomach ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in adults
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults and children ages 1 year and older
• erosive esophagitis (swelling, damage, and sores in the esophagus) in adults and children ages 1 year and older
• other conditions related to having too much stomach acid, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, in adults

Lansoprazole is usually prescribed as a short-term treatment, but it may be prescribed long term for certain uses.

With digestive conditions, you may experience symptoms such as bloating, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. Many of the above conditions are caused by having too much stomach acid.

Lansoprazole is prescribed together with antibiotics (such as amoxicillin or clarithromycin) for treating H. pylori infection.

Doctors may not prescribe lansoprazole in certain situations. This includes:

• if you’ve had a previous allergic reaction to lansoprazole
• if you’re taking HIV medication that contains rilpivirine (Edurant, Juluca, Odefsey, Complera)

* Delayed release means the drug is released into your body slowly over time. Orally disintegrating means the tablet dissolves in your mouth.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about lansoprazole.

How does lansoprazole compare with omeprazole?

Lansoprazole and omeprazole are both proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They work in very similar ways and are used to treat many of the same digestive conditions. However, lansoprazole may work faster to treat certain symptoms.

If you have questions about lansoprazole or omeprazole, talk with your doctor. They can help determine which medication is the best choice for your condition.

What brand names are available for lansoprazole?

Lansoprazole is a generic drug that’s available as the brand name Prevacid. (A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.)

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about Prevacid.

Is lansoprazole available over the counter?

Yes, lansoprazole is available over-the-counter (OTC). The brand-name version of lansoprazole, Prevacid, is also available OTC. However, OTC lansoprazole and Prevacid are only available in a 15-milligram (mg) strength. The prescription versions are available in 15-mg and 30-mg strengths.

It’s important to talk with your doctor to learn whether the prescription or the OTC lansoprazole is right for you.

How does lansoprazole work? And how long does it take to start working?

Lansoprazole works by lowering the activity of certain enzymes (types of proteins) in your digestive system that produce stomach acid. This reduces the amount of stomach acid that your body produces.

Lansoprazole starts working within 1–3 hours of taking a dose.

If you’d like to know more about what to expect with your treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below, you’ll find information about lansoprazole’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of lansoprazole

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take lansoprazole, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for lansoprazole” section below.

Warnings for lansoprazole

Some people should not take lansoprazole and others should take it cautiously.

Lansoprazole could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether lansoprazole is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for lansoprazole, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Lansoprazole can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to lansoprazole or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe lansoprazole. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to lansoprazole, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of lansoprazole

You should not take more lansoprazole than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much lansoprazole, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and lansoprazole

Information about lansoprazole and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Lansoprazole and pregnancy

It’s not known whether lansoprazole should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Lansoprazole and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether lansoprazole should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Lansoprazole may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of lansoprazole and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about lansoprazole’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for lansoprazole listed in the “Article resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of lansoprazole are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about lansoprazole’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for lansoprazole listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of lansoprazole delayed-release* oral capsule and orally disintegrating* tablet include:

• abdominal pain
• constipation
• diarrhea
• nausea
• mild allergic reaction†

* Delayed release means the drug is released into your body slowly over time. Orally disintegrating means the tablet dissolves in your mouth.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for lansoprazole” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of lansoprazole are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about lansoprazole’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for lansoprazole listed in the “Article resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, lansoprazole’s serious side effects include:

• interstitial nephritis (swelling in the kidneys)
• serious diarrhea caused by the bacteria Clostridioides difficile
• increased risk of bone fracture related to osteoporosis (thinning bones)
• serious skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• lupus that’s systemic (affecting your entire body) or cutaneous (affecting your skin)
• low levels of vitamin B12
• low levels of magnesium
• fundic gland polyps (a type of abnormal tissue in the stomach)
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for lansoprazole” section.

This article describes lansoprazole’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about lansoprazole or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Is lansoprazole the only medication that will work for my condition?
• Should my dosage of lansoprazole be changed if I have certain side effects?
• Will lansoprazole interact with any other medications I’m taking?

• Janczewska I, et al. (1998). Comparison of the effect of lansoprazole and omeprazole on intragastric acidity and gastroesophageal reflux in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9930385/
• Lansoprazole – lansoprazole capsule, delayed release. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/8bbc3af5-faa1-4af1-94e9-9df4aae242ab/spl-doc
• Lansoprazole – lansoprazole tablet, orally disintegrating, delayed release. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/1f2883d8-12db-40b7-9104-22a6690a22a7/spl-doc

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.