lansoprazole

[Overidge]

Hi everyone I am 9 weeks post ASD catheter closure and I am taking clopidogrel, dissolvable aspirin and lansoprazole. I have had my follow up appointment with the cardiologist and forgot to ask him that when I stop taking the clopidogrel at the end of August but still need the aspirin for another 9 months do I still need to take the lansoprazole? Don’t want to do a repeat prescription for it if o don’t need it. Many thanks 😊

[Survivor1952]

I'm on dispersable aspirin (and others) and I'm prescribed Lansoprazole as well. It is to reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces as aspirin increases this and therefore the risk of ulcers. It isn't a risk for everyone as we are all different but there is a tendency to use a one fits all solution. I've been told that I will need to take it as long as I take the aspirin - I'm told that's the rest of my life ...

I would imagine that you will be told to continue with the Lansoprazole until you stop the aspirin.

We are not pharmacists or doctors on here (although there may be one or two amongst us) and this is really a question for your doctor or cardiologist.

[Overidge in reply to Survivor1952]

Many thanks for your reply. Yes I will ask the GP. I did ask the pharmacist when I collected my last prescription but she wasn’t convincing with her response. Best wishes

[Qualipop in reply to Overidge]

It's normal to take a stomach protector with aspirin. If you don't like lansoprazole try famotidine or perhaps enteric coated aspirin which doesn't dissolve in your stomach.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

You should be discussing this with your GP or prescribing health professional when your clopidogrel course finishes. It is possible you will be asked to carry on taking it, or to trial not taking it to see if you get can get by without it. And if you are on dispersible you could move across to coated which is easier on the stomach. However these issues are a matter between you and your GP.

Finally be aware of this forum use guideline....

Medical Advice

We do not recommend discontinuing medication without consulting a healthcare professional, and we ask you not to offer medical advice to other members of the community. Admins may issue warnings to users persistently offering medical opinions, and continued violations may lead to community restrictions.

[Overidge in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

many thanks for your reply. Yes I will get medical advice but was just interested to see what other peoples experiences were.

[Blearyeyed]

It may depend which aspirin you choose to take and if you have already had stomach problems or gastric reflux requiring regular use of indigestion remedies in the past.Aspirin is an NSAID and both standard and soluble versions can cause stomach irritation or pain and increase the risk of stomach bleeds or ulcers if they aren't taken with a PPI and a little food to protect the stomach.

You can get gastric resistant aspirin which is gentler on the stomach , so these along with lining the stomach with a dairy based food like yoghurt can mean that some people can manage without a PPI on lower aspirin doses but you need to check with the GP if that's something that you could try.

They may prefer you to stay on lansoprazole for 2-3 months after stopping your other medication to make sure that your stomach is settled and that your condition is well controlled before you stop it. Better to be safe than sorry.

[Overidge in reply to Blearyeyed]

Hi thank you so much for your reply. Yes sounds like I will still need to take it due to having to take the aspirin. I will double check when my next prescription is due to be requested. Thank you 😊

[Taviterry]

After my TAVI last July and being put on Clopidogrel, my GP insisted I should take Lansoprazole, my "private" surgeon said I didn't need to. After two months of stomach discomfort, I started on Lansoprazole and within days felt much better. After another four months, I stopped it, and have no apparent problems. I'm taking bicarbonate of soda to alleviate another condition, and that counts as an antacid.

To save travelling and the £700 check-up fee, I've had my records transferred to the local NHS Cardiology Department in the hope of having check-ups there.

[Overidge in reply to Taviterry]

Hi thank you for your reply. I wasn’t sure if I needed to take it because of the clopidogrel or the aspirin. After a few responses on here seems like it is due to having to take aspirin for a year. Many thanks 😊

[Taviterry in reply to Overidge]

Please note that I stopped Lansoprazole without consulting anyone, which others would advise against. My private surgeon never explained why he reckoned that I didn't need it. I noted that taking it for more than a year could lead to a shortage of magnesium in my system (sigh, something else to monitor), though the tap water that I drink a lot of is "hard", so contains magnesium!

It'll be interesting to see what the NHS cardiologist reckons when I see him. I have a feeling that I shall be on Clopidogrel for life.

[Overidge in reply to Taviterry]

Yes let me know how you get on 😊

[Quesswho]

Hi I have taken Lansoprazole since my HA 2000. Also 75mg asprin. I was told the Lansoprazole is to protect your stomach. Also I've recently read long term use of Lansoprazole can cause B12 deficiency. Best advice, talk to your health care provider. ❤

[Overidge in reply to Quesswho]

Hi many thanks will do 😊

[HeartofLondon]

Obviously this is one for a pharmacist, but the Lanzoprazole is protecting your tummy from the Clopidigral and aspirine. Once you stop the clopidigral you could move to enterically coated aspirine which won't upset your stomach.

[Overidge in reply to HeartofLondon]

Hi yes that’s what I was thinking. Many thanks for your advice. 😊

[abc1_2-3]

I had a meds review with the surgery pharmacist back in January, she advised me to stop Lanzaprazole (I'm on 75mg aspirin & other meds). After about a month I started getting acid reflux, this reached a situation in April whilst working out in Spain where one night thought my second MI was happening. It wasn't & a visit to the GP once home resulted in her being horrified I'd been taken off Lanzaprazole. Back on it & after about a week everything was back to normal

[Overidge in reply to abc1_2-3]

Hi thank you for your reply. What a worry for you. Sounds like I will need to keep taking it. Take care 😊

[Blackknight57]

yes, clopidogrel has the same affects on your stomach lining

[Overidge in reply to Blackknight57]

Thank you for your reply 😊

[Bruce67]

I personally stopped Lansaprol at suggestion of one of the surgical team a couple of months after my operation. But told any hint of indigestion or heartburn type symptoms and to take it til it settles again. I am not on aspirin or clopidigral.

[Overidge in reply to Bruce67]

Thank you for you reply. I only need to take clopidogrel until the end of August but carry on with aspirin until next June. Many thanks 😊

[Murderfan58]

I took Lansoprazole for acid reflux but after about a year had to come off it as it reduced my sodium levels to much. As I was only taking it for acid reflux my GP said to take Gaviscon when I needed to. Just made sure they check your sodium levels when you have blood tests.

[Overidge in reply to Murderfan58]

Hi thank you for your reply. I didn’t realise it could affect your sodium levels. With check with my GP. Many thanks 😊

[TheBearB55]

In my personal experience Lansoprazole was prescribed to counter the effects of the Aspirin on my stomach lining.

After my HA in 2019, I was prescribed Clopidogrel and Aspirin and therefore also Lansoprazole . When I was advised to strop the Aspirin (12 months after the HA) I was also advised to stop the Lansoprazole However, I strongly advise you ask your doctor before changing any prescription meds.

Good luck. 👍

[Overidge in reply to TheBearB55]

Hi many thanks for your reply. Sounds like I will have to carry on with it whilst taking the aspirin. Will check with my GP. 😊

[TheBearB55 in reply to Overidge]

You're welcome. If you can, speak to the heart specialist who prescribed the meds in the first place. GPs don't always have the detailed knowledge although the GP should be able to see on your records what was prescribed and why.

[Overidge in reply to TheBearB55]

Thank you I will do 😊

[Bobkins99]

Following OHS 2 years ago I was prescribed lanzoprazole. Gave me terrible diarrhea. They changed my blood thinners to apixaban and stopped the ppi

[Overidge in reply to Bobkins99]

Many thanks for your reply. I must admit I have not had any side effects from it 😊

[Avagra]

Clopridogrel is usually taken for 12 months after a HA to stop blood clots and aspirin can be for life along with lansoprazole. Check with GP I’m on aspirin and lansoprazole for life so I hope to be taking it for a very long time 😂

[Overidge in reply to Avagra]

Thank you for your response. Yes I only need to take the clopidrogrel for 3 months but aspiring for 12 months. Will check with GP before ordering my next prescription. Best wishes 😊

[nicknack999]

Reading the replies on here shows we all have different responses to medication. I stopped taking lansoprazole- and told the GP- and dont have any symptoms described by others while I continue with my meds: 75mg aspirin, 2.5mg bisoprolol/ clopidogrel / rampiril / atorvastatin

[HeartofLondon]

Just another point. The combination and build up of clopidigrel and asprin over time may cause blood to appear in your urine. Both affect the viscosity of blood and make it thin and runny. That happened to me after a year.

[Overidge in reply to HeartofLondon]

Oh thank you that’s good to know 😊

[Petercat1]

Hi.The Lansoprazole is to protect your stomach whilst taking the aspirin and clopidigrel, so even if you stop the clopidigrel you should still take the lanzoprazole until you stop the aspirin as well.

Take care.

[Overidge in reply to Petercat1]

Many thanks for your reply 😊 I thought I would probably have to keep taking it but totally forgot to ask the cardiologist at my follow up appointment.

Thank you 😊

[Comcasts]

What I have seen recommended online from a few sources goes something like this ...

"People are at higher risk of gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects with antiplatelet treatment if the following risk factors are present:

Older age, especially aged over 75 years.

History of gastroduodenal ulcer, GI bleeding, or gastroduodenal perforation.

Helicobacter pylori infection.

Concomitant use of medicines that are known to increase the risk of GI bleeds, in particular another antiplatelet agent, anticoagulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids.

High dose of aspirin."

There are some decision trees you can find online for medical professionals which say something similar, though I cant find them right now.

In short it depends on the individual. But as I understand it, it seems to be that if one is on low dose asprin only, not taking any other NSAID and has no other risk factors that PPIs are not necessary.

As usual only stop taking medicine if your DR says its ok.

[Overidge]

thank you so much for your reply and sorry for the delay in replying. I received a letter from my cardiologist and also a copy went to my GP stating that I still need to have the lansoprazole until a year after the surgery. Which is when I stop the aspirin. 😊