Lansoprazole and omeprazole are two proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) designed to alleviate acid reflux symptoms, both having some differences but possessing similar attributes.
Both products can be found with a valid prescription and reduce stomach acid production. Both drugs have proven highly effective at treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), but may also treat other conditions.
Lansoprazole Vs Omeprazole
Effectiveness
Both Lansoprazole and Omeprazole belong to the class of medications called proton pump inhibitors that are prescribed to treat acid reflux and prevent any damage to the stomach and oesophagus lining. Both drugs work effectively at reducing stomach acid, providing effective long-term relief from acidity levels while remaining safe and cost-effective when taken short term.
As with any medication, taking PPI medications on an empty stomach will ensure it works more effectively. Consuming food or anything other than water while taking PPI can significantly diminish how quickly the medication absorbs into your system and cause its effectiveness to diminish; you may require double doses in order to achieve similar results.
If you have been prescribed a PPI and would like to reduce the chances of foods or drinks decreasing its effectiveness, it’s advisable to wait an hour after taking your medicine before eating again so it has enough time to fully take effect. Also avoid any over-the-counter antacids as these could interfere with its absorption.
Researchers conducted a single-blind, randomized cross-over trial where 27 outpatients received 20 mg omeprazole for two weeks followed by 30 mg lansoprazole for another two.
Participants tracked their GERD symptoms using a diary; both groups experienced similar reductions in total symptom scores over eight weeks based on acquisition costs; with Lansoprazole being more cost effective overall.
Side Effects
Lansoprazole belongs to the class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Like its cousin omeprazole, it works similarly by decreasing how much stomach acid your body produces and relieving GORD symptoms. Lansoprazole should be taken at least 30 minutes prior to eating or drinking anything to ensure maximum effectiveness. It should typically be prescribed once daily as 15mg tablets.
Omeprazole and lansoprazole are two medications with few adverse side effects that are generally well tolerated by their users. If side effects do arise, they are generally mild and will eventually diminish over time; should any serious or worrying symptoms develop, be sure to notify your healthcare provider right away.
If you are taking Lansoprazole, it is wise to wait a bit until seeing how it affects you before driving or operating machinery. Lansoprazole can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating and concentration issues that make driving or operating machinery more challenging than usual.
Furthermore, taking Lansoprazole may increase the risk of severe infections in the digestive tract; particularly true if watery or bloody diarrhea persists.
Long-term use of this medication may result in reduced levels of electrolytes like magnesium, calcium and potassium – leading to deficiencies of these nutrients if you’re vegetarian or have low vitamin B12 levels. Furthermore, this could increase your risk for osteoporosis fractures, particularly hips, wrists and spine fractures.
Dosage
Lansoprazole and omeprazole belong to a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors, which work by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach produces and alleviating symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing and an acidic taste in your throat.
Omeprazole has also been approved to treat an additional condition caused by untreated GERD: erosive esophagitis.
Your doctor will suggest the dosage that’s most suitable for you depending on your situation, usually taking the form of a capsule that should be swallowed whole with water or taking small spoonfuls from a liquid solution. To ensure you take exactly as prescribed by your physician or stated on its label.
Lansoprazole can cause drowsiness, so it is wise to avoid activities which require alertness until you know how the drug affects you.
Driving, cycling and operating tools or machinery should all be avoided until certain effects have subsided – taking alcohol with Lansoprazole may worsen these reactions, while your doctor may reduce your dosage if liver problems exist or you have ever had liver cancer; long-term use could reduce vitamin B-12 levels thus necessitating monitoring for signs of deficiency symptoms.
Indications
Lansoprazole and omeprazole are two medications with similar uses for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD, also known as acid reflux) by decreasing stomach acid. Lansoprazole offers greater indications than its counterpart and also comes as a delayed-release capsule form.
Lansoprazole delayed-release capsules are prescribed to adults to facilitate healing of duodenal ulcers caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used for long periods. They may also be taken together with amoxicillin as dual therapy to effectively eradicate Helicobacter pylori in those with active or previous duodenal ulcer disease who are resistant or intolerant to clarithromycin (see full prescribing information for amoxicillin).
Lansoprazole and omeprazole belong to the class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). All PPIs work by stopping acid production in the stomach; however, each can vary in terms of its onset of action and half-life.
Omeprazole is the fastest-acting PPI and can achieve peak effectiveness within 30 minutes, while others such as esomeprazole and dexlansoprazole typically take between one to two hours to reach their maximum effectiveness, with rabeprazole and pantoprazole taking up to 24 hours longer to reach it. If you need advice about which medication to take, consult with a doctor.
At times, heartburn can actually be an indicator of more serious conditions.
Some indicators include lightheadedness or sweating when combined with heartburn; chest or shoulder pain that spreads to arms, jaw or neck; trouble breathing or wheezing; trouble with breathing/wheezing or unexplained weight loss.
Also inform your physician if you take mycophenolate mofetil (MMF; an immunosuppressant used to reduce organ rejection risk), iron salts or digoxin – these medicines could interfere with absorption of Lansoprazole.
Comparing the Safety Profiles of Lansoprazole and Omeprazole
Both lansoprazole and omeprazole exhibit a similar safety profile when used to treat acid-peptic diseases. The tolerability of lansoprazole is comparable to that of ranitidine, omeprazole, and placebo. However, like any medication, there are potential mild side effects associated with long-term use, such as headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
A drug class review on proton pump inhibitors indicates that there is no significant comparative difference between omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole in terms of healing esophagitis or providing symptomatic relief.
Ultimately, the choice between these drugs should be based on individual patient needs and preferences, and it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice on the most effective and safe treatment option for acid reflux symptoms.
Onset of Action: Lansoprazole vs. Omeprazole
The time it takes for lansoprazole and omeprazole to start working can vary depending on the patient and the severity of their condition.
In a study comparing the effects of lansoprazole and omeprazole on intragastric acidity and gastroesophageal reflux in individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lansoprazole demonstrated a faster onset of symptom relief than omeprazole.
However, another study found that both drugs had a comparable effect on gastric acidity in patients with established GERD and esophagitis.
In a clinical trial involving patients with endoscopy-negative GERD characterized by chronic heartburn and excessive acid reflux, omeprazole at doses of 20 mg and 10 mg once daily was administered for 2 and 4 weeks.
The efficacy of omeprazole was assessed by investigators at baseline, as well as at weeks 2 and 4. The study concluded that omeprazole, at both 20 mg and 10 mg doses, was effective in treating GERD.
As with the choice between these drugs in terms of safety, determining the most appropriate treatment option for acid reflux symptoms based on onset of action should be done in consultation with a healthcare professional, taking into account individual patient needs and preferences.
