Lansoprazole belongs to the family of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These medications slow or prevent the production of acid within the stomach.

Lansoprazole is used to treat gastric (stomach) ulcers, duodenal (intestinal) ulcers, reflux esophagitis, and GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) (GERD). It is also used in combination with antibiotics to treat and eradicate H. pylori bacteria (a major cause of duodenal ulcers).

Lansoprazole is used to treat gastric ulcers caused by a family of pain relievers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and to reduce the risk of gastric ulcers for people who are taking NSAIDs. It is also used to treat conditions associated with the over-production of stomach acid, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Mylan Lansoprazole may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Mylan Lansoprazole may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Mylan Lansoprazole may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Mylan Lansoprazole for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Mylan Lansoprazole, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Mylan Lansoprazole without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Mylan Lansoprazole to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Mylan Lansoprazole if their doctor has not prescribed it.

To treat duodenal (intestinal) ulcers, the recommended adult dose of lansoprazole is 15 mg daily, before breakfast, for 2 to 4 weeks. For duodenal ulcers that return, lansoprazole may be used for up to one year.

To treat gastric (stomach) ulcers, the recommended adult dose of lansoprazole is 15 mg daily, before breakfast, for 4 to 8 weeks. The usual recommended dose to treat gastric ulcers caused by NSAIDs is 15 mg to 30 mg daily, before breakfast, for up to 8 weeks. When used to reduce the risk of gastric ulcers for people who are taking NSAIDs, the usual dose is 15 mg daily, before breakfast, for up to 12 weeks.

To treat duodenal ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria (as confirmed by a test), the recommended dose of lansoprazole is 30 mg along with clarithromycin 500 mg and amoxicillin 1,000 mg, all taken twice daily for 7, 10, or 14 days. All of these medications should be taken before meals. This combination of medications helps kill the bacteria that can cause duodenal ulcers.

To treat GERD and associated heartburn symptoms, the recommended dose of lansoprazole is 15 mg daily before breakfast for up to 8 weeks. Doses up to 30 mg daily are sometimes prescribed for reflux esophagitis or other conditions associated with increased secretion of acid by the stomach.

To treat GERD in children 1 to 11 years of age, the recommended dose is 15 mg to 30 mg (depending on the child's weight) once daily for up to 12 weeks. An increase in dose may be beneficial for some children. For adolescents 12 to 17 years old who have GERD, the adult dose can be used.

When treating Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or other conditions which overproduce stomach acid, the dose of lansoprazole varies, but is often higher than the doses used to treat ulcers. Doses larger than 60 mg daily are often needed.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Lansoprazole should be taken before breakfast or, if taken twice daily, before breakfast and another meal. The medication should not be crushed or chewed. The capsules should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. People who have difficulty swallowing capsules may open the capsule and sprinkle its contents on a tablespoon of applesauce, which should then be immediately swallowed.

Lansoprazole fast dissolving tablets should not be chewed or cut. They should not be swallowed whole; they should be placed on the tongue for about one minute to allow the tablet to dissolve. Once the tablet has dissolved, the particles can be swallowed. Alternatively, for adults and children who have trouble swallowing, the tablet may be dissolved in an oral syringe with water. Speak to your pharmacist for specific directions.

It is important to take Mylan Lansoprazole exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Mylan Lansoprazole at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Mylan Lansoprazole. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Mylan Lansoprazole with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Mylan Lansoprazole. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• Dry Mouth
• flu-like symptoms
• gas
• headache
• nausea
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting
• weakness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• abdominal pain
• joint or muscle pain
• pain or burning while urinating
• signs of liver damage, e.g.:
• abdominal pain
• brown urine
• light-coloured stools
• loss of appetite
• tiredness
• weakness
• yellowing of skin or whites of eyes
• sinus pain
• skin rash
• sore throat
• vision or hearing changes

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• severe diarrhea with blood or mucous in the stool
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (swelling of face or throat, Hives, or difficulty breathing)
• signs of a severe skin reaction, e.g.:
• high Fever
• painful blisters on the skin, mouth, or eyes
• rash
• skin peeling off
• sores

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Mylan Lansoprazole.

15 mg
Each pink and green capsule filled with white-to-off-white pellets, imprinted with "MYLAN" over "LR 15" on both cap and body in white ink, contains 15 mg of lansoprazole. Nonmedicinal ingredients: corn starch, D&C Red No. 28, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 6, gelatin, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium carbonate, methacrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol 6000, polysorbate 80, silicon dioxide, sucrose, sugar spheres, talc, titanium dioxide, and white imprinting ink (butyl alcohol, dehydrated alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, povidone, propylene glycol, shellac, sodium hydroxide, and titanium dioxide).

30 mg
Each pink and black capsule filled with white-to-off-white pellets, imprinted with "MYLAN" over "LR 30" on both cap and body in white ink, contains 30 mg of lansoprazole. Nonmedicinal ingredients: corn starch, D&C Red No. 28, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 40, gelatin, hydroxypropyl cellulose, iron oxide black, magnesium carbonate, methacrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol 6000, polysorbate 80, silicon dioxide, sucrose, sugar spheres, talc, titanium dioxide, and white imprinting ink (butyl alcohol, dehydrated alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, povidone, propylene glycol, shellac, sodium hydroxide, and titanium dioxide).