Lansoprazole, do I really need it?

[LouiseGardener]

Hi folks,

Anyone take long term aspirin without taking lansoprozole or similar? Starting to have stomach issues and wondering if the culprit is lansoprozole and if I really need it. Interested to hear your views before I consult the GP.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Unless you are taking coated aspirin you might be having stomach issues due to taking dispersible aspirin which for some can be a stomach irritant. Otherwise talk to your GP if you are having 'issues', since any decision about the need for medication or changing it should be made with their input.

[Jillymo]

I am on antiplatelet therapy and take 2 aspirin daily, one in the mor and one at night. The lansoprazole is given to protect the stomach from the aspirin.

Make sure the aspirin your taking are enteric coated this helps to protect the stomach. It might be worth mentioning the stomach issues to your Gp. I would also ask them from time to time to check your B12 levels.

[Crochetwoman]

Morning! I take aspirin but the gastro resistant tablets without having to take any lansoprasole for the last 4 years. You can buy them over the counter £1/ month. Depends on what other tablets you take and if they might upset your tummy, mine didn’t.

[Lezzers]

Hi Louise

My husband has been taking soluble aspirin daily since 1997 & has never had any stomach issues. He was originally taking 150mg & that was reduced to 75mg in 2016. He's still taking 75mg but he's had a change of meds this year and they've now introduced omeprazole into his daily regime. When I asked why, the nurse said it's to protect his stomach & apparently it doesn't hurt to take it🤷

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I take just 15 mg of Lansoprazole and I do believe at times they cause me stomach issues but then trying others they have been no better so I have weighed up for me if I want to take it and for now I am

I also take coated Aspirin as the uncoated ones did not suit me so if you are not on those these may suite you better

Not sure what strength you take with lansoprazole but if you are on higher than 15mg you could ask if you could take 15mg and the coated Aspirin or just make one change at a time

Sometimes it can be hard to find what suits us and your replies will give you something to think about and discuss with your Doctor

Let us know how you get on x

[Lezzers]

Thanks for your advice but I don't think he'll be on it long term.

[Lonmayloon]

Hi LouiseGardener, Yes I’ve been taking aspirin for 12 years or more and have never taken lansoprazole or any other PPI. I’ve never had a gastric problem with aspirin (but cannot tolerate ibuprofen).

By “stomach issues” I assume you mean loose bowels or diarrhoea as this can be a problem for some people who take PPIs. If this is becoming a problem you could discuss with your GP the merits of coming off this for a trial. I hope you get it sorted.

All the best

[LouiseGardener in reply to Lonmayloon]

Yes , that’s exactly what my stomach issues are. Do you take soluble or enteric aspirin? I have a clinical pharmacy consult after my blood results are back and will discuss further with them.

[Lonmayloon in reply to LouiseGardener]

I take 75mg dispersible aspirin. I am going to risk offending all those on here who have recommended enteric coated aspirin by saying that there is little difference between the two. About twenty years ago some research found that the ulceration and bleeding effect of aspirin was a systemic effect from aspirin circulating in the bloodstream rather than a local effect of the aspirin dissolving in the stomach. My wife and I ran a community pharmacy at that time and virtually overnight all of our patients were changed to dispersible aspirin. As you can imagine a fair few were not happy! I think there is some evidence that there is a benefit in getting the aspirin into the bloodstream as quickly as possible and the way to achieve that is without the enteric coating.

All this is an aside from your question about lansoprazole. I think long term use might increase the risk of some infections eg clostridium difficile. You might want to discuss this at your review.

[LouiseGardener in reply to Lonmayloon]

Yes, I had already researched the differences between the two aspirin administrations so thanks for clarifying that. Appreciate your insights and links to read.

[Lonmayloon]

Link about aspirin

newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/....

And link about PPI risks

fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-a....

Hope this helps

[Hrty]

Hi, I was put on lansaprozole after my NSTEMI to help protect my stomach whilst on clopidogrel and aspirin. Unfortunately I too developed unwelcome side effects resulting in frequent trips to the "reading room" in our house. I quite literally felt drained. This cleared up when the lansaprozole was stopped. Had some stomach discomfort so they started me on famotidine.

[Jackdaw44]

I stopped take my Omeprazole years ago, no effects on me as far as l know. 🤞🏻🤞🏻

[MagicMountaineer]

Sorry to hear this, Louise. I have been taking 75mg of dispersible Aspirin with 15mg Lansoprazole daily for 3 years to treat my Essential Thrombocythemia. I recently suffered a month of regular constipation. I tried all the usual dietary hacks but suspected the Lansoprazole was to blame, rather than the Hydroxycarbamide which I also take. I stopped it a week ago with instant beneficial effects. I hope to discuss this with the Doctor and may request gastro-coated Aspirin instead. Will feedback.