The NHS has issued important guidance for the many patients across the UK prescribed the common heartburn and acid reflux medication, lansoprazole. The advice is particularly crucial for anyone who has been taking this drug for a period of three months or longer.
Understanding Lansoprazole and Its Uses
Lansoprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are among the most frequently prescribed medications by the NHS in England. It works by significantly reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
Doctors commonly prescribe it to treat conditions such as persistent indigestion, heartburn, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), stomach ulcers, and infections linked to H. pylori bacteria. Other similar PPIs include omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole, which function in much the same way.
While patients often start to feel relief within two to three days, it can take up to four weeks for the treatment to reach its full effect. Medical professionals emphasise that the drug should be taken at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest possible duration to manage symptoms.
The NHS Warning for Extended Use
The central alert from the health service focuses on the risks associated with taking lansoprazole for more than three months. According to the NHS website, prolonged use can lead to a drop in magnesium levels in the blood, a condition known as hypomagnesaemia.
Key symptoms of low magnesium include unusual tiredness, confusion, dizziness, noticeable muscle twitches or tremors, and an irregular heartbeat. Magnesium is a vital mineral involved in over 300 bodily functions, supporting nerve transmission, muscle function (including the heart), bone health, and energy production.
Furthermore, taking lansoprazole for longer than one year may increase the risk of other potential side effects. These include a higher chance of bone fractures, susceptibility to certain gut infections like Clostridium difficile, and a deficiency in vitamin B12. Symptoms of B12 deficiency encompass severe fatigue, a sore tongue, mouth ulcers, and pins and needles.
Monitoring, Interactions, and When to Seek Help
The NHS states that patients on lansoprazole for over a year should have their health regularly reviewed by a GP to assess if they need to continue treatment. It is also vital to inform your doctor about all other medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are taking.
Lansoprazole can interact with several drugs, including the blood-thinner warfarin, heart medication digoxin, and some HIV treatments. Patients are advised not to take antacids within two hours of a lansoprazole dose and to avoid the herbal remedy St John's wort altogether while on this medication.
Immediate medical attention is required if you experience signs of a severe allergic reaction (such as face swelling or breathing difficulties), intense stomach pain, persistent diarrhoea, or the serious symptoms of low magnesium like muscle spasms or significant confusion.
Lifestyle Changes and Long-Term Considerations
Alongside medication, the NHS recommends lifestyle adjustments to help manage stomach acid. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding trigger foods like spicy or fatty meals, cutting down on alcohol and caffeine, and stopping smoking. For night-time symptoms, avoid eating for three hours before bed and try propping up your head and shoulders.
Regarding a potential link to stomach cancer, the NHS notes that some data suggests a very small increased risk for people taking acid-reducing medicines like PPIs for more than three years. However, more research is needed to confirm if the medication is the direct cause. Patients are urged to report symptoms like difficulty swallowing, persistent sickness, feeling full quickly, or unexplained weight loss to their doctor.
Ultimately, the key message from the NHS is clear: lansoprazole is an effective treatment, but its long-term use requires careful monitoring and consultation with a healthcare professional to ensure patient safety.
