Lansoprazole vs Omeprazole

Omeprazole and Lansoprazole belong to a family of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. Either one might be prescribed as an acid reflux treatment.

What causes inflammation of the stomach?

The stomach naturally produces acid in order to aid food digestion and to kill bacteria.

However as this acid is an irritant, a mucus layer is needed to line the stomach in order to provide protection from damage caused by the acid.

When this layer is broken down, inflammation and ulceration of the stomach may occur and could develop further to more serious conditions if not treated. Patients taking Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen may also experience these symptoms.

Other conditions include Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (acid reflux) whereby acid can escape into the oesophagus leading to heartburn and/or oesophagitis.

What are PPIs?

Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs such as Lansoprazole and Omeprazole are designed to prevent too much acid from being produced by the cells lining the stomach. This will counteract the formation of ulcers, reduce acid reflux and aid the healing procedure.

Lansoprazole vs Omeprazole: What’s the difference?

There have been many debates into the differences between Lansoprazole and Omeprazole. Both can be used as an effective acid reflux treatment; they are from the same family of drugs. However, although from the same family, there are slight differences that may need to be considered when taking these drugs.

Lansoprazole

Lansoprazole has been known to be the more effective acid reflux treatment and in some cases, considered faster acting. However, antacids such as Gaviscon can reduce the absorption of this medicine from the gastrointestinal tract and may decrease its efficiency. Therefore, Lansoprazole should not be taken within an hour of taking antacids.

You should also consult your doctor if you are anaemic or iron- deficient when taking Lansoprazole. This is because when there is a reduction in acid in the stomach, the absorption of iron and ferrous sulphate is affected; thus reducing the efficacy of these drugs.

Recommended Lansoprazole dosage

Lansoprazole is typically prescribed for once a day usage at 15mg – to be ingested at the same time each morning. Aim to take lansoprazole at least 30 minutes before eating food for best results as taking with food can slow down the digestion of the medication.

Omeprazole

Just like Lansoprazole medication, Omeprazole medication aims to reduce the amount of acid made in your stomach. It’s another popular treatment for acid reflux. Omeprazole is most commonly consumed in tablet form, however, it can also come as a liquid.

Omeprazole may enhance the anti-clotting effects of the anticoagulant warfarin. You should check your INR levels (blood clotting time) before taking this medication and upon stopping it.

Recommended Omeprazole dosage

It is usually recommended that omeprazole is taken before a meal in a single 20mg dose.

The similarities between Lansoprazole and Omeprazole

With both medications, it has been suggested by recent studies that the risk of bone fractures is increased when taken on a long term basis. This can be managed by taking enough calcium and vitamin D to reduce this risk.

Lansoprazole & Omeprazole Side Effects

The majority of people do not experience noticeable side effects of omeprazole or lansoprazole. However, according to NHS guidelines, there are a number of mild side effects that may be experienced by some users taking either omeprazole or lansoprazole. As both PPI medications work in a similar fashion, their side effects are often the same.

More than 1 in 100 people are known to experience:

• Headaches
• Sick feeling
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Stomach pain

In addition to this, dizziness and fatigue are also known to be among the side effects of taking omeprazole.

While serious side effects are rare (typically affecting less than one in a thousand people), there are a number of issues associated with taking these medications. They include:

• Joint pain accompanied by a red rash to the skin
• Dark urine, tiredness and yellow skin – associated with liver problems brought on by omeprazole

In the event that someone taking Lansoprazole or Omeprazole experiences these symptoms, it is always advisable to consult a GP. If you have experienced an allergic reaction to either of these medications in the past or have a history of liver problems, it is important to mention this to your doctor before beginning a course of treatment.

How long does lansoprazole & omeprazole take to work?

Both lansoprazole and omeprazole typically take 2 to 3 days to have a noticeable effect on the body and in many cases, the medication will only need to be taken for a matter of weeks until the symptoms have subsided entirely.

Summary

Lansoprazole and Omeprazole are both very similar drugs that aim to tackle issues like acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, gastroesophageal-reflux-disease (GERD) and stomach ulcers.

Both treatments will control the amount of acid being produced in your stomach, leading to a more comfortable lifestyle.

The main differences between the two treatments relate to recommended dosages – Lansoprazole typically requires a lower dosage to treat a problem effectively.