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The warning will affect many, as Lansoprazole is a commonly-prescribed drug(Image: PA)<\/p>\nThe warning is for people who have been taking the drug for extended periods of timeThe warning will affect many, as Lansoprazole is a commonly-prescribed drug(Image: PA)<\/p>\n
The NHS<\/a> has issued urgent guidance on its website<\/a> for individuals prescribed lansoprazole, particularly those who have been taking it for three months or longer. Lansoprazole is a commonly prescribed medication in the UK<\/a> and is one of the most frequently dispensed proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) by the NHS.<\/a><\/p>\n As a type of PPI, lansoprazole reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is used to treat and prevent <\/a>various acid-related conditions.<\/p>\n Lansoprazole is mainly used to treat the following conditions:<\/a><\/p>\n There are four other medicines similar to lansoprazole, including omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole. Like lansoprazole, these medicines are proton pump inhibitors, as reported by the Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n They all work to reduce stomach acid in the same way that lansoprazole does. Typically, these medications are just as effective and have similar side effects to lansoprazole.<\/p>\n The duration of lansoprazole use depends on the condition being treated. In general, it should be taken for the shortest time possible and at the lowest effective dose to minimise the risk of long-term side effects. The NHS advises that taking lansoprazole for more than three months may lead to a decrease in your blood magnesium levels, which is where the warnings come in.<\/p>\n Magnesium is essential for over 300 functions in the body, including support for nerves, muscles (including the heart), and bones. It also plays a role in energy levels, blood sugar regulation, and blood pressure management. Insufficient magnesium can result in issues such as muscle cramps, fatigue, irregular heartbeats, and long-term problems like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.<\/p>\n Using lansoprazole for more than 12 months may increase your risk of experiencing certain side effects, such as bone fractures, gut infections, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include extreme fatigue, a painful and red tongue, mouth ulcers, and a sensation of pins and needles.<\/p>\n The NHS website states<\/a> that the medical organisation will support you if you take lansoprazole for longer than one year, explaining that “your doctor will regularly check your health to see if you should carry on taking it.”<\/p>\n Anyone taking the medication should tell their doctor about all other medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements they are currently taking, as they can interact with certain drugs like warfarin, digoxin, and some HIV medicines. Antacids (like Gaviscon) should also not be taken within two hours of lansoprazole and never with St John’s wort (a herbal remedy).<\/p>\n In addition to the described side effects, the NHS suggests there is some evidence that individuals taking medicines that reduce stomach acid, like PPIs, might have a very small increased risk of developing stomach cancer. It may be more likely in people who take them for longer than three years.<\/p>\n However, more extensive studies need to be conducted to confirm whether PPIs and H2 blockers cause stomach cancer, rather than another factor causing it. It’s important to consult your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms, which could be signs of stomach cancer, including difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), feeling or being sick, feeling full very quickly when eating and losing weight without trying to. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.<\/p>\n Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here<\/strong><\/a>. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.<\/strong><\/p>\n ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.<\/p>\n We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we’ll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!<\/p>\n To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press ‘join community’.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.<\/p>\n If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our privacy notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Court & Crime community<\/a><\/p>\n Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Northumberland community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our County Durham community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Sunderland community<\/a><\/p>\n Join our Great North Run community<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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