Lansoprazole is used to reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach but it comes with some warnings.
Fiona Callingham Lifestyle writer
13:56, 08 Oct 2025
The NHS has warned that certain medications could interact badly with lansoprazole (Image: Getty)
People across the UK who are taking a widely-prescribed medication have been issued a warning by the NHS. This particular drug, which works by reducing stomach acid production, can lead to serious complications when taken alongside certain other medicines.
Lansoprazole is commonly prescribed for ailments including indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal-reflux-disease. It’s also used in preventing and treating stomach ulcers as well as a rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
The British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology lists it among the most commonly prescribed medicines across England. Nevertheless, like all medications, Lansoprazole carries specific warnings. The NHS website explains: “Some medicines and Lansoprazole can affect each other and make it more likely that you will have side effects or stop one of the medicines working as well.”
If you’re taking any of the following medications, you should inform your doctor before starting Lansoprazole treatment:
- Digoxin (a heart medicine)
- Antifungal medicines such as Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, or Posaconazole
- Methotrexate (a medicine that treats psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis)
- HIV medicines
- Phenytoin (an epilepsy medicine)
- Rifampicin (an antibiotic)
- Clopidogrel or Warfarin (medicines to prevent or treat blood clots)
- Fluvoxamine (an antidepressant)
The health body further stated: “These are not all the medicines that may not mix well with Lansoprazole. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.”
Side effects
Some of the “common” side effects of Lansoprazole may happen in more than one in 100 people. You should talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Headaches
- Feeling sick
- Diarrhoea or being sick (vomiting)
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Wind
- Itchy skin rashes
- Feeling dizzy or tired
- Dry mouth or throat
You should call a doctor or call 111 “straight away” if you have:
- Joint pain along with a red skin rash, especially in parts of your body exposed to the sun, such as your arms, cheeks, and nose (this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin) – these can be signs of a rare condition called subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. This can happen even if you’ve been taking Lansoprazole for a long time
- Stomach pain that seems to be getting worse – this can be a sign of an inflamed liver or pancreas
- Severe or persistent diarrhoea – this can be a sign of an inflamed bowel
Supplements
You should also avoid combining Lansoprazole with a supplement called St John’s wort. The NHS further clarified: “St John’s wort may stop Lansoprazole working as well as it should.
“There’s not enough information to say that other complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with Lansoprazole. They’re not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They’re generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins, or supplements.”
Who cannot take lansoprazole
Most adults and children can use Lansoprazole, but it isn’t appropriate for everyone. The NHS recommends informing your doctor before using Lansoprazole if you:
- Have ever had an allergic reaction to Lansoprazole or any other medicines
- Have liver problems
- Are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are due to have an endoscopy
For more information, visit the NHS website here.