Overview
- Using lansoprazole for more than three months may lower blood magnesium, with potential symptoms including fatigue, confusion, dizziness, muscle twitches, shakiness and an irregular heartbeat.
- Treatment that continues beyond 12 months is linked to higher risks of bone fractures, gut infections and vitamin B12 deficiency, prompting regular medical reviews to assess ongoing need.
- The NHS recommends the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration, and limits over-the-counter use to 15 mg once daily for 14 days no more often than every four months without medical advice.
- Clinically important interactions include warfarin, digoxin and some HIV medicines, and patients should separate antacids by two hours and avoid St John’s wort.
- Observational data suggest a very small possible increase in stomach cancer risk after around three years of acid suppression, though evidence remains inconclusive and requires further study.