Lansoprazole is a medication in a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors. Like many drugs in this class, it is predominantly used to treat conditions that may be improved by its inhibitory effect on the secretion of digestive fluids. The higher the lansoprazole dose, the greater its gastric acid reducing properties. Factors that may affect the initial recommended dose of lansoprazole are the patient's age and weight, poor liver or bone health, the condition and its severity, and lansoprazole's interaction with accompanying medications.
Since this medication has not been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for any chronic condition in young children, no official recommended long-term dose reduction table exists for children. The smallest effective lansoprazole dose should be used when administering this medication to elderly patients, as proton pump inhibiting medications may decrease bone density and increase the risk of bone fracture. For this reason, some physicians recommend co-administering calcium and vitamin D with lansoprazole. In the same way, when administering the medication to patients with diminished liver function, it is important that lower doses be used initially and increased only with caution.
The use of the medication to treat genetic over-secretory conditions like Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome requires significantly larger doses than used to control gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, or Heliobacter pylori infection. The drug may also be used to manage or help prevent the recurrence of these conditions. When administering it for preventative of maintenance purposes, a much smaller lansoprazole dose may be administered.
Combining the medication with some antibiotics to treat duodenal ulcers produced by bacteria may make it possible to reduce the lansoprazole dose frequency needed daily. Medications like diuretics and digoxin that may cause a decrease in serum magnesium levels when taken over a long period of time may also require that a lower lansoprazole dose be used. Failing to do so may produce serious side effects such as heart arrhythmias.
The administration of an excessive lansoprazole dose may cause an increase in the incidence or severity of side effects. Lansoprazole side effects may include constipation, diarrhea, nausea, headache, or stomach pain. The presence of chest pain, shoulder pain, lightheadedness, sweating, paleness, dizziness, unexplained weight loss, rash, hives, facial swelling, sore throat, blistered skin, seizures, unusual bleeding, vision changes, or spreading pain in the jaw and neck may indicate the presence of more serious side effects and require immediate medical attention. Rarely, lansoprazole may cause water retention, increased risk of sunburn, liver dysfunction, depression, blood disorders, joint pain, muscle pain, or toxic necrosis of the skin.