The NHS has issued a crucial alert for individuals who have been using lansoprazole for three months or longer. This widely prescribed medication, part of the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) class, is commonly used to address conditions related to excessive stomach acid.

Lansoprazole is often prescribed for ailments such as indigestion, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach ulcers, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Similar medications in the PPI family include omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole, all of which help to reduce stomach acid. Despite their similarities, doctors may prescribe different dosages or choose specific medications based on their effectiveness for individual patients.

According to a report by the Mirror, it can take up to four weeks for lansoprazole to achieve its full therapeutic effect, during which some patients may continue to experience acid-related symptoms. While some individuals remain on the medication for extended periods, it’s crucial to undergo regular medical evaluations to ensure safe use.

The NHS has highlighted that using lansoprazole for longer than three months can result in decreased magnesium levels in the blood. Symptoms of low magnesium include fatigue, confusion, dizziness, muscle twitches, tremors, and an irregular heartbeat.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to reach out to their healthcare provider without delay. Insufficient magnesium can lead to muscle cramps, persistent fatigue, irregular heart rhythms, and, over time, serious health issues like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Long-term use of lansoprazole, particularly beyond one year, may heighten the risk of specific side effects. These can include bone fractures, intestinal infections, and vitamin B12 deficiency.

The NHS says: “If you take lansoprazole for longer than one year, your doctor will regularly check your health to see if you should carry on taking it. It’s not known if lansoprazole works less well the longer you take it. If you feel that lansoprazole is not working any more, talk to your doctor.”

Those that take lansoprazole should always inform their doctor all other medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements that they are taking. While the drug can interact with certain drugs like warfarin and digoxin, you should not taking antacids withing two hours of taking it.