Lansoprazole

[Carcut]

This is actually on behalf of my husband. He has been on lansoprazole for just over 10 years after being diagnosed with silent acid reflux. About 2 years ago he started to say he was sometimes feeling dizzy and lethargic. Then about 2 months ago started to get problems with burry eye vision. Went to the opticians. Eyesight fine. I've read this can sometimes be a side effect of taking lansoprazole. Has anyone else suffered these side effects?

[Calm2]

Hi, I have been on lansoprazole for almost two years and no issues. I have however developed acne and only since being in heart meds. So I’m wondering if something I’m talking is causing this? So hard with these meds to narrow it down.

[Carcut in reply to Calm2]

This is the problem. Maybe short term they're ok but long term may be different. I know that it also said that you may develope skin problems but maybe that would need mentioning to your Dtr. Anyway now my husband has read this he will come off them. Hopefully that will help.

[Calm2 in reply to Carcut]

Yes, to be honest they are not one of the important meds and so definitely wouldn’t hurt to see if it makes a difference not taking them? I’m no dr but ran out once and dr nor chemist bothered as they don’t do anymore than maybe stop indigestion. Hope it works but perhaps check with dr?

[Magbod]

Hi, I am also on Lansprazole since January and experiencing headaches /migraine and some minor itching/spots mainly on my back. I am also on a lot of heart medicines after bypass 2004 and stents 2009. This is the second proton pump inhibitor I have been put on.9Omeprazole also gave me problems of Migraine and spots.

Currently the doctors have said it is to stop gastric reflux also because I take a daily dose of Aspirin and a small dose of Seraline, and is recommended by the NHS advisors.

It would be useful if BHF could confirm the situation.

[CaptJaneway]

I think you're right to suspect side effects, they're all on the list! I've only been on it a month (30mg daily) for Silent Acid Reflux (LPR), had persistent cough for 6 months & post nasal drip constantly in my throat, no heartburn or other symptoms. Took 2 weeks to kick in & now coughing & throat muck is 85% improved, I seriously have no plans to take it long term - side effects for doing that as well.

The thing I would say is there is a lot of info about "rebound" being a huge problem if he tries to go 'cold turkey' & just stop. Maybe he could try lowering the dose & see if that helps his side effects but doesn't bring about the symptoms he was put on it for 10 years ago.

Personally, he's been on it so long I'd go for switching first to something else, to see if his side effects clear. If so I'd start weaning down dose of that, because I don't think it's a great drug to be on indefinitely, if you are then it's best to figure out lowest optimum dose. I looked up the other different types before:

Esomeprozole: Omeprazole: Pantoprazole: Rabeprozole: (& Lansoprazole, I wouldn't be surprised if we get that as first option, most likely the cheapest!)

[Carcut in reply to CaptJaneway]

Thankyou for your advice. He has tried some alternatives in the past but they all seem to come with various side affects.

I agree with what you said about cold turkey. I told my husband that he may have other problems stopping it totally so he is taking them every other day at the moment and he is on quite a low dose(15mg). We will see how that goes. We did speak to the Dtr and he has noted it on his records what he is doing. Also after his last blood test just over a week ago he was told he needs a vit D supplement. Fingers crossed this will all help with his problems.

Anyway glad they seemed to have resolved your problems.

[CaptJaneway in reply to Carcut]

I just spoke with my GP, he's keeping me on 30mg for another month, then dropping to 15mg, after that I'll be doing as your husband is - alternate days. He seemed to know all about the 'rebound' problems if you come off too fast. I had planned to see a private ENT, to be absolutely sure it was Reflux, but you have to be off the PPI for a bit first. Rock & hard place springs to mind.

Good luck with it.