Always follow the instructions from a pharmacist or doctor, or the leaflet in the medicine packet.
Dosage and how to take lansoprazole
Dosage and strength
Each dispersible tablet or capsule contains 15mg or 30mg of lansoprazole.
The usual dose to treat indigestion, acid reflux or stomach ulcers is 15mg to 30mg a day.
The usual starting dose to treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is 60mg a day. This can be increased up to 180mg a day, depending on how well it works for you. Doses over 120mg will be split into 2 doses.
Doses are usually lower for children, older people and people with liver problems.
Changes to your dose
Sometimes your doctor will increase your dose of lansoprazole if it's not working well enough.
Depending on the reason you take lansoprazole, you may take a higher dose to begin with, usually for 1 or 2 months.
After this, your doctor may recommend that you take a lower dose.
How to take it
You'll usually take lansoprazole once a day, first thing in the morning.
If you take it twice a day, take 1 dose in the morning and 1 dose in the evening.
Lansoprazole works best if you take it at least 30 minutes before a meal or snack. That's because food stops some lansoprazole getting into your system.
If you need to take an antacid, take it at least 2 hours before or after your dose of lansoprazole. Antacids can stop lansoprazole working as well.
Swallow capsules whole with a drink of water or juice.
If you have problems swallowing capsules, you can open lansoprazole capsules and mix the granules inside with a little water or fruit juice, or sprinkle them onto soft food, such as yogurt or apple puree, to help you swallow them.
Do not crush or chew capsules, or the granules inside, as this will stop the medicine from working properly.
Lansoprazole also comes as tablets that melt in your mouth (orodispersible). If you're taking these, put the tablet on your tongue and gently suck it until it melts.
How long to take it for
Depending on your condition, you may only need to take lansoprazole for a few weeks or months. Sometimes you might need to take it for longer, even many years.
Some people do not need to take lansoprazole every day and take it only when they have symptoms. Once you feel better (often after a few days or weeks), you can stop taking it.
Taking lansoprazole for a short time to treat symptoms is not suitable for everyone. Discuss with your doctor what is best for you.
If you forget to take it
If you usually take lansoprazole once a day and you forget a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is due in less than 12 hours. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
If you usually take lansoprazole twice a day and you forget a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is due in less than 4 hours. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Never take 2 doses to make up for a forgotten one.
If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicine.
If you take too much
It’s very unlikely that taking 1 or 2 extra doses of lansoprazole will cause any problems. But if you're worried, contact your doctor.
Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:
- you’ve taken more than the recommended dose of lansoprazole and you feel unwell
Call 111 or get help from 111 online.
If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.
Bring the lansoprazole packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine and any other medicine you take with you.
Stopping lansoprazole
Usually, you can stop taking lansoprazole without reducing the dose first. But if you've taken lansoprazole for a long time, speak to your doctor before you stop taking it.
Stopping suddenly could make your stomach produce a lot more acid, and make your symptoms come back.
Reducing the dose gradually before stopping completely will prevent this happening.