Lansoprazole

[jon22]

I am currently taking 15mg of Lansoprazole 30 mins before taking my prescribed tablets.

My tablets are :

75mg soluble aspirin

10mg Prasugrel

5 mg ramipril

2.5mg Bisoprolol

20mg atorvastatin

I make sure that I have my breakfast before taking my tablets and have never suffered from acid reflux , bleeding or stomach ulcers.

I take the Prasugrel with 2 glasses of water ( says I should take it with only one glass).

Do I really have to take 15mg of Lansoprazole?

It’s yet another tablet with side effects.

I understand it’s something to do with avoiding bleeding in the stomach and also stomach ulcers ?

What are the risks and benefits please ?

I had my heart attack on 31st December last year where I had 4 stents fitted in my right coronary artery.

Many thanks.

[stevejb1810]

The risk is that by stopping it you will develop a gastric bleed. Prasugrel also lists haemorrhage as a common side effect (although I don't know if that would be the same for gastric haemorrhage - you'd need a medic to answer that). The risks of haemorrhage increase the older you are. That's about it really. If you are having actual side effects from the Lanzoprazole then you can switch to a different drug that does the same job - speak to your GP.

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Jon. The Aspirin + Prasugrel are what’s called dual anti platelet therapy and you should be on that for 12 months (maybe longer with Prasugrel - I’m not sure). That helps your stents settle in and makes sure they’re less likely to cause any clotting. The problem with Prasugrel over Clopidogrel is that it does lead to higher rates of stomach bleed (whilst also being faster acting). So please don’t stop your PPI (Lansoprazole) which will have been given to you to counter that eventuality. You can change your PPI or change your drug to go with Aspirin (I was on Ticagrelor). I took my PPI for 12 months until Ticagrelor was dropped. My Doc said that adults should be able to tolerate low dose aspirin without it.

The PPI inhibits the production of acid that’s caused by Aspirin + Prasugrel. It’s not great long term as it messes about with your magnesium. But that’s a lot better than having a gastric bleed and some people need to be on it long term because they’re at greater risk.

In terms of dual anti platelet therapy think of a lock and key. To clot the platelets change shape by the addition of a key sticking out of them. The aspirin reduces the number of keys and the Prasugrel (or similar) blocks the key holes in the platelets.

[Jennyboxer]

I have had problems with Lansoprazol . It makes me very short of breath. I stopped taking it and I have been fine. My doctor isn't convinced it is good for you and there has been research in America which shows negative results. I am led to believe from a very reliable source in the Medial profession out there that manufacturers have been asked to cease making it until they research into it further, I think this is correct as my pharmacist is having difficulty ordering it. I adjusted my diet kept off acids and alcohol (well in moderation) and it has worked. If you take soluble aspirin this should also help. Please don't do anything until you speak to your GP or ring the NICE helpline to see what they say.