Just had 2 stents fitted.Given the usual cocktail of meds on discharge including aspirin clopidogrel and 15mg lanzoprazole. When consultant came for final chat he seemed a little surprised about the lanzoprazole. He said I could take it but up to me so now unsure if I should take it or not. I have been trying to research before making a decision but not getting very far just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or advice ?
Lanzoprazole : Just had 2 stents fitted... - British Heart Fou...
Lanzoprazole
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Mollie223
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Lansoprazole and other PPIs are principally intended to lower stomach acidity which is of significant benefit for people who have reflux disease (like me) or a hiatus hernia when otherwise highly acidic stomach contents would back flow into the oesophagus to cause discomfort or worse. There also is a secondary use which is to 'protect the stomach' when people take a cocktail of drugs to treat one or more conditions including those with heart disease, and one or more of the drugs cause stomach upsets. My suggestion to you is to trial not taking Lansoprazole and see how it goes, given your consultant has OK'd this. But if you find you have stomach upsets likely caused by medication then trial taking Lansoprazole to see if it makes any difference. My position would be if I can do without that's what I would do, since long term use of PPIs does carry some health risks, although in my case the benefits I derive from PPIs far outweigh the risks. Hope you find the best fit for you.
This was my plan I have not taken them yet and so far so good I seem to remember a post recently saying about possible side effects and it put me off taking them until I researched a bit if the cardio consultant had not said well you could take them its up to you I would have taken them . Thank you for your reply
Hi Mollie
Like you I was prescribed Aspirin and Clopidegrel after stents, and the Cardiologist initially didn’t mention Lansoprazole. When I submitted my prescription to local GP, the in-house pharmacist recommended taking Lansoprazole, primarily to counter the possibility of gastric bleeding that may occur as a consequence of taking these drugs. I then mentioned this to Cardiologist and he was in agreement that this was a good idea. So, I have been taken 15mg Lansoprazole ever since. Hope this helps.
Whilst there is a possibility that some medication may induce gastric bleeding there is also a possibility that it may not. There are certainly risks when taking Lansoprazole and other PPIs long term and these risks must, in my view, be balanced against taking medication that may not be needed, And if you have a serious gastro bleed as I have had (through taking Ibuprofen) you will certainly know about it.
Hi Mollie223, I was on 30mg of lansaprazole prior to having heart attack and stents fitted thereafter. Cardiologist put me on the 30mg once in morning as was originally 15mg twice daily. At home I had rather unpleasant side effects from aspirin, bisoprolol, clopidogrel and even though I switched to enteric coated aspirin was still having the effects and now am on 30mg twice daily. Tried halving it to once and I lasted a fortnight then symptoms really flared up and so am back on 30mg twice daily. Have been unable to get a gp appointment to discuss this past week and the surgery pharmacist was unwilling to give 15mg so I could cut one dose in half. Even though my gp said ring if any trouble an go back on I can't get through the reception to see her. I found the PPI really helpful. However I was already being treated for reflux and oesophagitis for many years prior. Hope made sense..Wish you a speedy recovery with the stents 🙏🤞
Thank you at the minute I feel really good it feels like I can breathe again and like I am breathing in fresh air I did not realise how bad my symptoms were Sorry you can't get a gp appointment with your gp the nhs is really struggling it is sad really
You sound like you are at the mercy of a gatekeeper GP receptionist which is very wrong in my opinion and no doubt yours too. As a fellow sufferer of reflux disease I know only too well of the struggle you can have when things turn for the worst either caused by medication or in my case more likely a trigger food. I suggest you explain in no uncertain terms to the receptionist that blocking an appointment with the GP can have serious consequences for you. I am sure you are, like me, well aware that uncontrolled reflux disease can cause Barrett's oesophagus, which is what I have, or worse oesophageal cancer, so it is important to get things under control. I hope you get sorted soonest.
When taking PPIs for a long time they must be weened off of very slowly or they will cause problems and seem like you are feeling worse than you were before taking them.
the aspirin you’ve been given may be the reason why LANs has been prescribed. My husband has been prescribed PPI’s long before his heart problems (because he had had a gastric ulcer) so the aspirin he takes is called “enteric coated”. which means that the stomach acids don’t dissolve the tab - it gets dissolved lower down the gut. Also, you should get PPI if you take some pain killers such as ibuprofen.
I may say that he’s had PPIs for well over 20 years and it’s not caused any probs - as far as we know!!
You should not take ibuprofen at all, it's terrible stuff, and was responsible for me having an acute stomach bleed some years ago, even though I was following the dose instructions. I now avoid it at all costs. Paracetamol is just as effective.
I’m afraid I have to differ. Paracetamol does nothing. For me at all. Ibuprofen is a help - though I take only one or perhaps two a day. Also co-codamol not very effective either.
I've found Paracetamol won't touch a headache, where a single dose of Ibuprofen will. Thankfully I rarely have headaches. 😀
I am fortunate enough not to suffer from reflux, which is just as well as I'm allergic to PPIs... just one dose will floor me. I do swamp my aspirin in at least 250ml of water and have a mug of tea after it.
I agree on Ibuprofen being very rough on your tummy but Paracetamol is not nearly as effective. You should not take anti inflammatories while on Aspirin. Clopidogrel etc but you might need a stronger painkiller than Paracetamol.
After my stent I was prescribed aspirin and clopidogrel along with bisoprolol, perindopril and rosuvastatin. I was never offered lansoprazole or any other PPI. That was back in 2011 and I have never suffered any gastric upset. So it is possible to take the standard cocktail without the need for lansoprazole. My thoughts would be to take the aspirin and clopidogrel (and the rest of your cocktail). Be alert to any stomach symptoms at which point you could add in the lansoprazole and see if it alleviates them.
One medicine that does trigger symptoms is ibuprofen. I have always reacted badly to it even before my heart journey. I now avoid it at all costs and take different pain relief on the odd occasions I need it.
Thank you that is my thinking will give it a go without them and if I have no side effects then won't take them . The cardiologist def did not think they were necessary. Like you I had a problem with ibuprofen which I was popping for a week solid when my heart was waking me up at night and I thought I had overdone it and it was muscular 🤣🤣funnily enough it did help
I'm glad someone else avoids taking ibuprofen as I mentioned above. I repeat my earlier comment, it's terrible stuff.
After I had my first stent 2011, I was told to never take any nsaids again , which Ibruphen is . I as told the same thing when I had my second stent in 2020. After having a nasty flare up of diverticulitis I was told not to codiene either. I have lower back osteoarthritis it’s a big problem, as paracetamol doesn’t help .
hi You only really need to take it if you have a problem with your digestive system ,it's to protect you stomach from the clopidogrel and aspirin .hope that helps ,good luck with your recovery 👍👍👍
Hi Mollie,
When I had my heart attack in 2012 and 2 stents fitted, I was also put on 15mg daily Lansoprazole as well as clopidogrel (for 1 year), low dose aspirin, Ramipril and 80mg daily Atorvastatin. The Lansoprazole was to counter the adverse effects of the aspirin.
I’m still on the aspirin, Lansoprazole, and high dose Atorvastatin but had to come off the Ramipril as I couldn’t tolerate it. Luckily I don’t have high blood pressure!
I’m aware of the negativity towards long term use of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) of which Lansoprazole is one. However I have experienced no ill effects from Lansoprazole and it’s been over 11 years daily use!!
The benefit for me in taking it has outweighed the risks so far and I’ve come through an unrelated cancer and treatment also since then. I have been fortunate also in not experiencing heartburn, acid reflux or indigestion in over 11 years also!
If you can tolerate taking daily aspirin without side effects, then perhaps not taking Lansoprazole is an option for you; it wasn’t for me. Best wishes for your recovery whatever you decide.
Hugh
I too take it and have read lots about side effects of it. I asked my Son in law who happens to be a surgeon and he said taking it is better than the alternatives of nit taking it. He said might fine I more prone to upset tummies. When I went to hospital the other day they said you may want to stop it after a year when you have stopped taking blood thinners,
After a year now on 60mg Lansoprazole, 60mg Nitzadine and 20mg domperidone, I have bad gastric issues maybe have about 90% relief.
Morning Mollie223, if you are on Aspirin 75mg daily, I would recommend taking Lansoprazole. I’ve taken it since OHS but when it was stoped after a hospital admission for Covid, I developed anaemia requiring a colonoscopy. It was the Aspirin so I restarted the Lansoprazole and fine since. It protects your stomach lining from the Aspirin causing bleeding. Kind regards, Andy
PS I tolerate the higher dose of 30mg Lansoprazole without issue. You can get a lower dose of 15mg
I had a heart attack in 2017 , had 2 stents fitted. I was put on Aspirin alongside Avorstatin, Ramipril, Bisloproral. I had a hysterectomy in 2019 and they switched out the Aspirin for Colpidegrel. I've never been prescribed Lansoprazole . Never had any stomach issues even with the Metformin I'm on for Diabetes.
Personally lanzoprazole did nothing for me. It was given as aspirin, even the gut friendly type, damages the stomach lining causing heartburn. I had this and tried lanzoprazole but had no effect. They ended up moving me to a different blood thinner as which my consultant said is better than aspirin but a little more cost to the NHS. Also latest research, articles in the Lancet, show that continuous use of lanzoprazole leads to arterial hardening
I have been on Lanzoprazole for years now, long before I was diagnosed with AFib. It was due to acid reflux which I had pretty bad. It’s certainly helped me with that, and no side effects. On the odd occasion when I have forgot to take it, boy did I know it !!!! Now with all my other meds I have a daily box and never forget it. I suppose it is different for everyone, this is one med that suits me.
I had very loose bowel movements with lansoprazole, so they changed me to pantoprazole, and all was ok again
Changed from Lanzaprole to Ranitidine by Dr and hospital as had very low Magnesium levels. No problem with eitherHave a good day
After my husbands heart attack and stent he wasn’t given lanzoprazole. However a few months down the line he was getting really bad heartburn so they put him on it then. He has ongoing issues though with dizziness and fainting so we are debating whether to try coming off lanzoprazole to see if this improves. He has already had reductions in two other meds and not made any difference. Maybe go without it to start with and if you notice stomach problems or heartburn then take it
I was given the usual cocktail after my stent, including lanzoprazole. What no-one told me is that it greatly exacerbates IBS and can stop up to 98% of stomach acid production. Your body NEEDS your stomach to produce acid for proper digestion, as well as for the absorption of minerals. Whatever your stomach doesn’t break down, the rest of your digestive tract has to try and do. If you’re on a PPI, that’s a LOT of food that passes through undigested. They’re also linked to an increase in hip breaks in OAPs due to the aforementioned malabsorption of calcium due to not enough stomach acid
I eventually put the pieces together about 3 years too late, and immediately took myself off them. My gut issues greatly improved after a few months.
This is all slightly worrying I am not going to take them and see how I get on
Since I have no other alternatives I have taken a high dose PPI for over 15 years for reflux disease. I see no evidence of a lot of food passing through the system undigested which you indicate will happen. I don't get gut issues, other than an occasional relapse in my reflux disease which is unrelated to the PPI I take and then I know how to bring matters back under control and now understand the triggers that cause it and so can usually avoid relapses. And far as I am aware my metabolism is fully sustained by a healthy diet based on home cooked rather than processed or so called ready meals, and I don't appear to suffer from any aspects of malnourishment nor deficiencies. I do however fully support the idea that PPIs should not be taken or indeed prescribed unless there is a genuine requirement which needs to be properly demonstrated, but for many including me the benefits outweigh the long term risks and people should not be put off taking them, since in some cases like mine they may actually be keeping them alive.
I speak from personal experience as someone who was just given PPIs as part of the post-MI starter pack. No thought was given to if I really needed them, it was just “in case”. Only through my own investigation after living through hell with IBS, and most foods I’d eaten my entire life becoming the “enemy” did I discover that medication I’d been given to protect my gut was in fact destroying.
As with any advice given on this forum, it’s usually from personal, lived experience, and as such, mileage may vary.
As I mentioned in another thread, following a TAVI my surgeon prescribed Clopidogrel, Ramipril and statins, but not Aspirin. My GP was keen for me to have Lanzoprazole and even prescribed Omiprazole (!!! NICE and other authorities warn against combining the latter with Clopidogrel). My surgeon said they weren't necessary. After four months I've been diagnosed with non-iron-deficient anaemia (no evidence of internal bleeding) and my surgeon has referred me to a gastroenterologist, whom I'm seeing in mid-December. After much Googling, I'm tempted to try Lanzoprazole for a few weeks to see if it makes any difference - it can't do any harm, surely. There are several other factors in this messy equation and, like others no doubt, I'm finding they form a heck of a tangle. After leaving consultations with the surgeon and GP, I've often wondered whether I should have mentioned something else.
I have been on 30 mg Lansoprazole for over a year, since stent, also aspirin (now coated at my request) and altorvastatin. I was on 80mg of statin but started to ache all over so doctor halved dose. I always worry that halving it may not be right as he was GP, but I don’t ache now. I’ve never questioned the Lansoprazole tho? As all of us, I don’t like taking anything really - is the general consensus that I could just stop them and see how I feel? Thank you 🙏
Hi, as I mentioned above, PPIs do need to be weened off of if taken for long periods of time because they cause even more acid when stopping all at once. PPIs are not for long term use unless the benefits outweigh the risks for what you use them for. It does say on package not to take longer than 14 days here in the US.
If you feel you may not need Lansoprazole you should discuss this with your GP, with the objective of progressively reducing the dose and monitoring how you feel. If you can live your life without PPIs and no gastric problems that should be your target. As for your statin reduction that will likely increase your lipid level compared to before, but if you and the GP are happy with that, given your side effects are gone, that's a risk worth taking .
Thank you, I will speak to someone. What does it mean if your lipids increase though?
It depends by how much lipids increase due to the reduced statin dose and how significant the increase is relative to an increase in your long term heart health risk. So, for example, if your side effects from taking a statin have been more or less eliminated by halving the dose, and the resultant increase in lipids is relatively small that's perhaps a good balance. But if the lipid increase is significant then perhaps your GP should consider another statin given that there are several to choose from and some may not induce an unwanted side effect compared to others. And if if you can't tolerate statins at all there are other forms of medication available to prescribe. But all this needs discussion with your GP as and if required.
When prescribing Lansoprazol my cardiologist said that my liver stomach and kidneys should be monitored by my doctor as there could be side effects. After considering it I decided to stay on Nebivolol.
I first needed PPi after stents & Clobidogral & aspirin.PPi not prescribed initiallycould have been up to a year later when endoscopy revealed gastric inflammation.
Unfortunately Clobidogral a necessary evil for 12 months.
Mind you this was 15 years ago and things probably changed.
That is my worry itsvery confusing
I find it all confusing too. So hang conflicting advice in the internet too…
I take 30 mg lanzoprazole, but it hasn't really helped counter the unpleasant effects from aspirin, in my opinion. I went to a stomach specialist who upped my dosage to 60 mg as an experiment, and it helped a lot. but my cardiologist wouldn't agree to raising it that high. I've just switched to plavix and it also helps, but in a few months I'm goin to ask to try another PPI.
The effects on my stomach from aspirin, I fear, may have become semipermanent. Before starting on the standard heart meds, I never had any issues with bloating etc.
Oh it’s such a worry I know. Do you feel bloated from the meds as well?
Hi just like you was discharged after a HA and given them same drugs This was 5 years ago and taken them ever since I thought they were taken to protect the stomache from the aspirin as this can burn the lining Please let us no if you find any thing as I would be interested too
Same thats what I thought but then with consultant being a bit dismissive of them it made me question if I should take them
I will try to find out more as I too thought they were essential because of the aspirin. I had no idea you can’t just stop taking them either. Feel a little ignorant tbh but you are so elated to have been diagnosed and treated, I guess it’s easy to just accept what you are told on the meds front 🤦🏻♀️
Was the Aspirin prescribed the usual dispersible ones or the Enteric coated/ gastro resistant type. I've been taking the dispersible ones with Omeprazole ppi but have had gut problems constipation and painful trapped wind, so have just decided to stop the Omeprazole and take the coated aspirin instead to see if this helps.
The hospital gave me dispersible ones but gp gave me pink coated ones
You should be ok with the coated ones without the lanzaprazole, at least that's what I'm hoping I've been on the coated ones for 3 days now and no change in my gut problems yet, but it might take a bit longer.
Fingers crossed for us both let me know how you get on
Initially my aspirin was un-coated but on the advice of a friend, I requested they be changed to coated. I think un-coated are a cheaper option as I would have thought anyone on long term aspirin should automatically be prescribed coated surely. Barely.
Really I meant 🤣
I have been on PPIs for a hiatus hernia and GERD now for 25years and all my bloods come back good with normal liver and kidney readings, B12 normal and had a recently selective Dexa scan and bone density test and perfect. None of the adverse claims on PPIs have been proven and they are considered a very safe medication. The arterial hardening link was carried out on a mouse for heavens sake. If you do not need them then dont take them but what you are hearing here can be read on the internet with varying degrees of may be and could cause type information. Read the back of any medication and they all can have serious side effects/ but would that stop people from taking their heart medication! now I doubt it.
I would politely agree to differ. I personally have suffered much harm from Lanzoprazole whilst I cannot offer scientifically proven data my body has given me all the proof I and my Consultants need. No need for details suffice to say I quite happily tolerate the odd problem from my Hiatus Hernia reflux which I control by diet alone.
Good on you if you can tolerate your hiatus hernia on diet alone as very few can do that. (No need for details) says it all. As a general rule you will find the vast majority of people have little on no ill effects from PPIs so much so that they are routinely prescribed for people taking dual antiplatelet medication, especially Aspirin. If they disagree with you then an alternative should be found or indeed in your case diet seems to work. Wishing you all the best.
I totally agree - it’s hard to know if you have to take these things tho - here in UK at least you seem to get a prescription and be left to it. I’m onto this now tho. Thank you.
Of course it is difficult to know but should you take your bisoprolol which has very frequent side effects and potentialiy fatal effects, or Aspirin and Clopidogrel which cause a high chance of potentially fatal bleeding etc. Its a balancing act and I know some people try to stop some of these themselves which is indeed dangerous. None of us want to be on these medications truth be known and can you really say we would be better off without it?? well I dont know so I have to rely on the experts who prescribe them. There are alternatives to PPIs as there are to most other meds so If unhappy then either dont take PPIs if you have no symptoms or look for another alternative if they disagree with you. They can cause loose bowels but never heard of neckpain and absolutely no mention of this as a side effect. I think we are all guilty of blaming certain meds on any ills that comes our way (none of us are getting any younger) so probably a bit unfair I think.
I must admit since coming off lansoprazol and having a courses of treatment for my neck pain this as all cleared up. also the pains in my stomach is no more going to the toilet. I think using lansoprazol effects people in different ways. I was only prescribed the medication for 6 weeks to see how it goes but given the side effects I think not.
Thank you for this. I’m glad your pain has gone and I’m going to speak to my cardiologist as I ache a lot, have really painful and stiff legs a lot too. I never thought lanzoprasol would be linked to this as thought it was only a stomach protector type drug. I really hope he agrees it’s ok for me to try stopping them to see 🙏
The medication is for Acid Reflux. I was taken them due to the amount of medication I was taken due to my heart medication. It stops all the acid build up. I no longer take them as I developed sever tummy troubles going to the toilet. if you get my drift. Also got a sudden sever neck pain not sure if this was connected to the Lansoprazole anyway. Not taken the medication. It is up to you. Good Luck
OMGoodness. I am in real pain with my neck every night! I put a hot pad on it, then rub Tiger Balm in… I have been assuming it’s an old injury flaring up - I never thought it could be my meds 🤔
I was on clopidogrel and aspirin after a HA. I was automatically given tablets to protect my stomach. In my case famotidine as I'm allergic to PPIs. Even though I'm now just taking coated aspirin i t can still cause havoc with my stomach and I h ave to double the famotidine. I've had a peptic ulcer in the pa st so there's no way I wouldn't take the famotidine. You can try without the PPI and see how it goes but any sign of stomach pain, contact your doctor. If you don't want a PPI then famotidine is an alternative.
It’s usually given if you have reflux, and acid reflux can feel similar to chest pain when the acid is going up the oesophagus
Can the lansoprazol give you same tight chest feeling tho?
apologies for the late reply, I was given this as a 30mg dose after having 1 stent fitted, after 4 years now it has been reduced to 15mg, along with all the usual meds I queried what and why do I need all these meds for, it was recommended I take Lansoprazole to counteract the effect of taking so many meds. I can see many of the hearties have responded to you with the same advice I am just another one of the growing family of survivors who is here to talk.
good luck and take care of yourself.
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