Contains the active ingredient, Lansoprazole
Consumer Medicine Information
NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons
living in Australia. This page contains answers to some common
questions about . It does
not contain all the information that is known about
. It does not take the
place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. All medicines have risks
and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you using this medicine
against the benefits he/she expects it will have for you. If you have
any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Bookmark or print this page, you may need to read it again.
What lansoprazole is used for
The name of your medicine is APO-Lansoprazole. It contains the active ingredient, lansoprazole.
Lansoprazole belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Lansoprazole works by decreasing the amount
of acid the stomach makes, to give relief from the symptoms and allow healing to take place.
Reflux Oesophagitis (inflammation of oesophagus):
Lansoprazole is used to treat the symptoms of reflux oesophagitis or reflux disease in adults and in children from 1 to 17
years of age. This can be caused by backflow (reflux) of food and acid from the stomach into the food pipe, also known as
the oesophagus. Reflux can cause a burning sensation in the chest rising up to the throat, also known as heart burn.
Peptic Ulcers (Ulcers of stomach or duodenum):
Lansoprazole is used to treat peptic ulcers in adults. Depending on the position of the ulcer it is called a gastric or duodenal
ulcer. A gastric ulcer occurs in the stomach. A duodenal ulcer occurs in the duodenum, which is the tube leading out of the
stomach. These can be caused in part by too much acid being made in the stomach.
Lansoprazole is also used for the treatment:
to stop duodenal ulcers from coming back
of infections caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori when given in combination with antibiotic therapy
of heartburn and acid regurgitation.
This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.
Before you take lansoprazole
When you must not take it
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to lansoprazole, any medicines containing a proton-pump inhibitor or any of
the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itchiness or hives, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing,
swelling of the tongue, lips, face or other parts of the body.
Do not take this medicine if you have severe problems with your liver.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack.
If you take it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
Do not take this medicine if the capsules do not look quite right.
Do not take this medicine if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Before you start to use it
Tell your doctor if:
1.
Have any allergies to:
any other medicines
any other substances, such as foods, dyes or preservative.
2.
You have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
problems with your kidney(s) or liver
an abnormal growth (tumour)in stomach.
3.
You plan to become pregnant or breastfeed.
Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of taking this medicine. Lactating women should not breast-feed while
taking lansoprazole.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking this medicine.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you can buy without a prescription
from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and lansoprazole may interfere with each other. These include:
Theophylline, used to treat asthma
Carbamazepine and phenytoin used to treat fits (seizures)
Warfarin, used to prevent blood clot
Oral contraceptive
Sucralfate (use to treat stomach ulcers) and antacids (used to treat heartburn). APO-Lansoprazole should be taken at least
an hour prior sucralfate or antacid administration.
Ampicillin esters and clarithromycin antibiotic
Ketoconazole used to treat fungal infection
Iron salt preparation
Digoxin for cardiac complication
These medicines may be affected by lansoprazole or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine,
or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist can tell you if you are taking any of these medicines. They may also have more information on medicines
to be careful with or avoid while taking lansoprazole.
Other interactions not listed above may also occur.
How to take this medicine
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
This may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand any written instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
Take one lansoprazole capsule each day, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.
Adults
The dose to be taken depends on what your condition is and how long you require treatment. It may vary from 15 mg to 30 mg
per day.
Children and Adolescents (1-17 years old)
The recommended dose depends on the weight of the child or adolescent.
For those weighing 30 kg or less, the usual dose is one APO-Lansoprazole 15 mg capsule daily.
For those weighing over 30 kg, the usual dose is one APO-Lansoprazole 30 mg capsule daily.
How to take it
The capsule should be swallowed whole with plenty of water.
Do not crush or chew.
If you have difficulty swallowing this medicine, you can open a capsule and administered as follows:
Sprinkle intact granules on one tablespoon of apple sauce, strained pears, cottage cheese or yoghurt and swallow immediately.
The capsules may also be emptied into a small volume of either apple juice, orange juice or tomato juice. Mix briefly and
swallowed immediately.
To ensure complete delivery of the dose, the glass should be rinsed with two or more volumes of juice and the contents swallowed
immediately.
Do not use other foods or liquids to swallow the granules because they have not been tested for use with this medicine.
If you have a nasogastric tube in place, this medicine may be given by a doctor or nurse by mixing the intact granules from
the capsule with 40 mL of apple juice and injecting the mixture through the tube into the stomach. The tube is then flushed
with more apple juice to clear it.
When to take it
Take it in the morning before food.
How long to take it
Continue taking the capsules for as long as your doctor tells you. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to,
even if you feel better.
In most patients, lansoprazole relieves symptoms rapidly and healing is usually complete within 4 weeks, although the pain
and discomfort caused by the ulcer or reflux may go away well before all the prescribed capsules have been finished.
Although lansoprazole heals ulcers very successfully, it may not prevent them from coming back at a later date. Your doctor
may want you to keep taking this medicine long-term to prevent the condition from recurring. However, lansoprazole is only
recommended for short-term use (8 to 12 weeks) in children.
Tell your doctor if your symptoms return.
You may need further treatment.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you have missed more than one dose, or are not sure what to do, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (Tel: 13 11 26 for Australia) for advice, or go to Accident
& Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much lansoprazole.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
Keep these numbers handy in case of an emergency.
While you are taking this medicine
Things you must do
Take this medicine exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Tell all doctors, dentist and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking lansoprazole.
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
Go to your doctor regularly for a check-up.
Your doctor may occasionally do tests to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent side effects.
Things you must not do
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not take this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking this medicine, or change the dosage, without checking with your doctor.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how lansoprazole affects you.
Lansoprazole may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people.
If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
Things that may help your condition
Some self-help measures suggested below may help your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about these measures and
for more information.
Alcohol
your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake.
Aspirin and many other medicines used to treat arthritis, period pain or headaches
these medicines may irritate the stomach and may make your condition worse. Your doctor or pharmacist may suggest other medicines
you can take.
Caffeine
your doctor may advise you to limit the number of drinks which contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cocoa and cola drinks,
because they contain ingredients that may irritate your stomach.
Eating habits
eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eat slowly and chew your food carefully. Try not to rush at meal times.
Smoking
your doctor may advise you to stop smoking or at least cut down.
Weight
your doctor may suggest losing some weight to help your condition.
Side Effects of lansoprazole
All medicines may have some side effects. Sometimes they are serious, but most of the time, they are not. Your doctor has
weighed the risks of using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while taking lansoprazole.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Following is a list of possible side effects. Do not be alarmed by this list. You may not experience any of them.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
Stomach or bowel problems such as:
diarrhoea, constipation
indigestion nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick)
flatulence or wind
abdominal or stomach pain
Tell your doctor if you suffer from severe persistent diarrhoea and/or vomiting when taking lansoprazole.
The natural acid in your stomach helps kill bacteria. Taking medicines (such as lansoprazole) that reduce acid may result
in stomach infections in some people.
Difficulty in thinking or working due to:
headache
fatigue ( tiredness)
light-headedness, feeling like you may faint
generally feeling unwell
joint or muscle aches or pain
feeling depressed or confused
having hallucinations
Changes to appearance such as:
thinning hair
breast enlargement and impotence in men (with long-term use)
Signs of infection such as:
coughs, colds, sore throats, or sinuses indicating an upper respiratory tract infection
dry or sore mouth or throat
frequent and painful passing of urine indicating urinary tract infection
Changes in sight, hearing, taste or touch including:
taste disturbances
tingling or numbness of hands and feet
blurred vision
increased sensitivity to sunlight
These are more common side effects of lansoprazole.
Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:
pain in the kidney region
bruising or bleeding more easily than usual, bleeding under the skin or red or purple flat pinhead spots under the skin
frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
watery or severe diarrhoea with stomach and bowel problem#
yellowing of the skin or eyes, especially if accompanied by fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark coloured urine or light
coloured bowel movements#
symptoms of sunburn such as redness, itching or blistering
sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching, or hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness
of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
# These side effects may occur when lansoprazole is used in combination with antibiotics for H. pylori infection.
These are serious to very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. These side effects are rare.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything that make you feel
unwell.
After taking this medicine
Storage
Keep your medicine in its original pack until it is time to take them.
If you take your medicine out of the original pack they may not keep well.
Keep your medicine in a cool, dry place where the temperature will stay below 25°C.
Do not store your medicine, or any medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave medicines in the car or on window sills.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one and a half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with
any capsules which may be left over.
Where to go for further information
Pharmaceutical companies are not in a position to give people an individual diagnosis or medical advice. Your doctor or pharmacist
is the best person to give you advice on the treatment of your condition.
Product description
What APO-Lansoprazole looks like
APO-Lansoprazole 30 mg
Purple cap/lavender body, self-locked hard gelatin capsules of size '1' imprinted with 'L 30' on both cap and body, containing
white to off-white pellets.
APO-Lansoprazole 30 mg is available in blister packs of 28 capsules.
Ingredients
Each APO-Lansoprazole Capsules contains 30 mg of lansoprazole as active ingredient.
It also contains the following inactive ingredients:
Sucrose
starch
talc
hypromellose
titanium dioxide
methacrylic acid-ethylacrylate copolymer
macrogol 300
colloidal anhydrous silica
gelatin
The 30 mg capsule contains the colourants:
indigo carmine CI73015
carmoisine CI14720.
The capsules are imprinted with the black ink Opacode-S-1-27794.
This medicine does not contain gluten and lactose.
Australian Registration Numbers
APO- Lansoprazole 30 mg capsule: AUST R 159345
Sponsor
Apotex Pty Ltd
66 Waterloo Road
North Ryde, NSW 2113
Australia
Apotex Pty Ltd is the licensee of the registered trade marks APO and APOTEX from the registered proprietor, Apotex Inc.
This leaflet was prepared in April 2010.