Omeprazole - or Lansoprazole: I’ve been taking 2... - PMRGCAuk

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Omeprazole - or Lansoprazole

Doraflora profile image
26 Replies

I’ve been taking 20 mg of Omeprazole daily ever since I was diagnosed with PMR almost 3 years ago. However: when I collected my last repeat prescription I see that this time it’s Lansoprazole - and it’s 30mg instead of 20! And to take it between 30-60 mins before food, whereas the Omeprazole never said that!

Any advice please?

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Doraflora
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26 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

I would guess pharmacy didn’t have usual Omeprazole so sent an alternative - so you weren’t left without anything. No specific difference apart dose size _ but if you’re worried then speak to pharmacist.

Found this -]

Lansoprazole vs omeprazole

Daily dose of Lansoprazole is 30mg, but daily dose of Omeprazole is 20mg.

One of omeprazole’s biggest rivals is another proton pump inhibitor medicine, lansoprazole. 

Lansoprazole works in the same way as omeprazole, by reducing how much acid your stomach makes.Unlike omeprazole, lansoprazole cannot be bought from pharmacies without a prescription. You must have been prescribed this medication to take it. It is mostly prescribed for indigestion, heartburn, acid reflux and GORD. It can also be used to both treat and prevent stomach ulcers.

Omeprazole tablets can be bought in doses of 10mg, 20mg or 40mg. To learn more about what Omeprazole dose may be best suitable for you, read our detailed medical guide.

Lansoprazole is available in doses of 15mg or 30mg. Like omeprazole, lansoprazole gastro-resistant capsules are also available as tablets and capsules. Additionally, it can be bought as orodispersible tablets, which dissolve in the mouth when placed on the tongue. The medicine then disperses in the mouth and is swallowed with your saliva. The orodispersible version of lansoprazole is ideal for people who have trouble swallowing tablets whole, or who may suffer with bad indigestion or wind.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding will normally be prescribed omeprazole as an alternative to lansoprazole, which is not generally considered safe for women in these situations.

A study found that both Lansoprazole and Omeprazole have very few minor differences when both medicines are prescribed in their standard doses to treat stomach acid related conditions. 

Seacat30 profile image
Seacat30 in reply to DorsetLady

I was put on 15mg Lansoprazole not 30mg.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Seacat30

Well guess your doctor thought that all you required.

in reply to DorsetLady

Not sure I've done the right thing or not, but never taken these tablets.....just hope as I'm nearing 4 yrs on Pred that nothing nasty happens. Yesterday I felt very lightheaded again and legs felt like jelly. Came on at lunch time. Hope it does't happen again and wondering if it's to do with tapering. Now only the odd day of 6.5 the rest is 6mg. DL, do I continue to take 6mg right through the 14 weeks of the Ultra Slow Taper ? Then introduce 5.5 after that ?

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to

Would say that sounds more like adrenals stuttering….and suggest you continue with tapering.

You’re doing the ultra slow one -and if it is adrenals that’s the best way to get them going again. It doesn’t happen overnight, but you do need to nudge them and tapering as you are is really the only way…

See how you feel at the end of the 14 weeks- but you should be able to move on to next one… but if you’re not sure just stay at 6mg for another couple of weeks.

in reply to DorsetLady

Thank you

Purpleprimate profile image
Purpleprimate in reply to DorsetLady

I was prescribed Omeprazole which I take occasionally when I feel I need to. I've been meaning to find out whether I should be taking it at all because I have CKD. If no is there an alternative?

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Purpleprimate

have a look at this - and there are plenty of sites to look at before you discuss with doctor-

singlecare.com/blog/omepraz...

SueHG profile image
SueHG in reply to DorsetLady

they seem not to be able to get Omeprazole at present, my meds have been changed

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SueHG

Unfortunately it seems to be quite common - with lots of meds - not sure if it's a knock-on effect of covid, or whole worldwide issue with shortages..

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to DorsetLady

Certainly widespread and contributed to by the international dependence on India and China for drug supplies.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to SueHG

I was a good couple of weeks into the Lansoprazole when I developed diarrhoea problems. After enduring that for about 3 days I spoke to the surgery’s resident pharmacist yesterday after I’d scrutinised the accompanying leaflet more thoroughly, in which it stressed that if diarrhoea became a problem to contact the surgery immediately as it’s reknown for causing infectious diarrhoea in some people

The pharmacist said that it is a chronic side effect of the med, it is quite common, & to stop taking it and she would issue the Omeprazole which I was on before - without any problems

After 6 days I hope there’s an end to it calming down. She said it could take quite a few days. There’s only so much dry toast, rich biscuits and water to have.

it’s a good job there’s no loo roll shortages - that’s all I can say🙄

Sandradsn profile image
Sandradsn

My husband has been on Omeprazole for 20 years,suddenly he's been issued with Lansoprazole..there must be a shortage we suppose.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Sandradsn

morning everyone. Thanks for all your comments.

I managed to get through to the surgery first thing (a miracle in itself). They advised that there’s been a national shortage of Omeprazole, hence the alternative of Lansoprazole. And the 30mg of that is equivalent to the Omeprazole dosage of 20mg.

[It would probably have been helpful if they’d included a note with the prescription explaining this. It would have saved everyone’s time, especially the doctors surgery]

lyndamcw profile image
lyndamcw

I take lanzoprazole as I had a lot of wind trapped in bowel with omeprazole

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

The dose numbers are usually fairly immaterial - it varies from drug to drug.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to PMRpro

thanks for that, PMRpro.

Offcut profile image
Offcut

I was taken into hospital in January this year with a high BP and a strange heartrate and ECG and Pins and needles all over my upper torso and face. It was found I was Calcium and Magnesium Deficient. They blamed it on Omeprazole! I was taking 2 tabs a day for over 2 years because I was on Steroids? They now have changed it to Famotidine 20mg which I take 1 at night.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Offcut

wonder why you were prescribed two tablets, Offcut?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Doraflora

To make up the dose presumably. 20mg tablets are probably the cheapest option even if the patient needs 40mg/day

Sharitone profile image
Sharitone in reply to Doraflora

I had to take 3 when my pred dose was ta it's highest. GP told me you can take up to 180mg per day.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply to Sharitone

goodness me!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Sharitone

That isn't even correct - the max dose in certain conditions is 360mg/day in divided doses. But that is for very specific diagnoses - not for day-to-day use.

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply to Doraflora

They said it was because of my Steriods?

marionofnorwich profile image
marionofnorwich

I am more and more realising that we need to find out more, and take more notice of how we combine drugs and their impacts. As I understand it, drugs like Lazaprazole work by coating the inner lining stomach to protect it so taking other medications or nutrients soon after might mean that they don't get absorbed properly.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to marionofnorwich

No. that isn't how the PPIs work - they stop the stomach producing acid in the first place so that any reflux is of a much less acid pH. They MAY have an effect on the absorption of certain nutrients but not often on the absorption of drugs.

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