Lansoprazole for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and ulcers

This leaflet is about the use of lansoprazole for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (sometimes called GORD). Lansoprazole is also used to help with the pain from stomach ulcers and for the treatment of an infection that is linked to the development of stomach ulcers.

Information Standard quality markThis leaflet has been written specifically about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

Name of drug

Lansoprazole
Brand names: Zoton®, Zoton® FasTab®

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

In gastro-oesophageal reflux, the contents of the stomach come back up (reflux) into the food pipe (oesophagus), which is painful and can damage the food pipe. Too much acid in the stomach can also damage the lining of the stomach or the first part of the intestine (called the duodenum), which may cause an ulcer.

Lansoprazole reduces the amount of acid in the stomach. This reduces the symptoms of heartburn and reflux and also allows any damaged areas or ulcers in the stomach or duodenum to heal.

What is lansoprazole available as?

  • Zoton FasTabs: 15 mg and 30 mg; these contain lactose and aspartame (phenylalanine)
  • Capsules: 15 mg and 30 mg

When should I give lansoprazole?

Lansoprazole is usually given once each day, usually in the morning.

Give the medicine at about the same time each day so that this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help you to remember.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of lansoprazole (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give it?

Lansoprazole is best taken when the stomach is empty. This should be at least half an hour before eating.

Do not give at the same time as antacids (e.g. Gaviscon). Leave a gap of at least 2 hours between the different medicines.

Capsule

Capsules should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the capsules.

FasTabFasTabs are designed to melt in the mouth. Place the tablet on your child’s tongue. It should stay there until it has melted (which usually takes about a minute), or your child can suck the tablet gently. Your child can then swallow the melted tablet. Your child can swallow these tablets whole with a glass of water but they should not chew them.

You can also melt the tablet into a small amount of water (it will melt quite slowly). Do not crush the tablet. Once the tablet has melted/dissolved, stir the mixture well and then give to your child using a spoon or oral syringe. They should take it all, straight away.

When should the medicine start working?

It may take several days before your child’s stomach pain starts to feel better.

It is important that you continue to give lansoprazole during this time, even if you are not sure whether it is helping.

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

  • If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of lansoprazole, give them the same dose again.
  • If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of lansoprazole, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I forget to give it?

If you remember before bedtime, give your child the missed dose. If you remember after this time, do not give the missed dose. Give the next dose as usual in the morning.

What if I give too much?

It may be dangerous to give too much lansoprazole.

If you think you may have given your child too much lansoprazole, contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647 in England and Wales; 08454 24 24 24 in Scotland). Have the medicine packet with you if you telephone for advice.

Are there any possible side-effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects). Lansoprazole rarely causes side-effects.

Side-effects you must do something about

If your child develops a rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or has difficulty breathing or swallowing, contact your doctor or take your child to hospital straight away. They may be allergic to lansoprazole.

If your child has stomach pain that seems to be getting worse, contact your doctor or take your child to hospital straight away. They may have inflammation of the liver or pancreas.

If your child develops blistering of the skin or other skin reactions, contact your doctor or take your child to hospital straight away. They could have an infection of the skin, which could get worse.

Other side-effects you need to know about

  • Your child may have stomach pain, feel sick or be sick (vomit) or they may get diarrhoea or constipation (difficulty doing a poo). These usually resolve once your child stops taking lansoprazole.
  • Your child’s hair may get thinner. It should get thicker again when they stop taking lansoprazole. If you are worried about this, discuss it with your doctor at your next appointment.
  • Your child’s skin may become more sensitive to sunlight while taking lansoprazole. Keep them out of strong sun. When outdoors, they should wear a long-sleeved top, trousers and a hat and should use high-factor sun screen (at least SPF 15).
  • Your child’s fingers and toes may swell and get itchy. Try applying a moisturising cream or anti-itch cream. This effect usually wears off. If still a problem after 2 weeks contact your doctor.
  • Your child may seem to bruise more easily. Contact your doctor if this happens.
  • Rarely lansoprazole may cause dizziness, blurred vision, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) or confusion. Contact your doctor if this happens.

Can other medicines be given at the same time?

  • Do not give lansoprazole at the same time as antacids (e.g. Gaviscon). Leave a gap of at least 2 hours between different medicines.
  • You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
  • Lansoprazole should not be taken with some common drugs that you get on prescription. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any other medicines your child is taking.
  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know?

  • Lansoprazole may be used with other medicines to treat a stomach infection caused by Helicobacter pylori (also called H. pylori).

General advice about medicines

  • Try to give medicines at about the same times each day to help you remember.
  • Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.
  • If you think someone else may have taken the medicine by accident, contact your doctor for advice.
  • Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.
  • Make sure that the medicine you have at home has not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where I should keep this medicine?

  • Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
  • Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
  • Keep the medicine in the container it came in.

Who to contact for more information

Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to give you more information about lansoprazole and other medicines used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and stomach ulcers.


You can also get useful information from:


Publication Date

8/12/2011

Copyright Disclaimer

Version 1.2, March 2011 (November 2011). © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2011, all rights reserved. Reviewed by: March 2013.

The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk
We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.