LANSOX ® Lansoprazole

LANSOX ® is a drug based on lansoprazole.

THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Antireflux - Antiulcer-Proton pump inhibitors

IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects

Indications LANSOX ® Lansoprazole

LANSOX ® is used in the short-term treatment of duodenal and gastric ulcers also caused by H.Pylori or prolonged treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, reflux oesophagitis and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Mode of action LANSOX ® Lansoprazole

The lansoprazole contained in LANSOX ® is taken orally, better if in the early morning on an empty stomach, given the greater availability, it is absorbed at the duodenal level, reaching the maximum plasma concentrations after about 90 minutes from oral ingestion.

Compared to other proton pump inhibitors, its bioavailability is at much higher values, usually equal to 70 - 80% of the total dose taken.

Through the plasma proteins, it reaches the various organic districts, carrying out its therapeutic action, only at the level of the gastric microenvironment, where the acidity of the intracellular canals of the parietal cells, guarantees the protonation of lansoprazole and its activation.

Here the active principle is able to selectively bind the acid proton pump, exerting an inhibitory action, which prevents the release of hydrogenions in the intragastric lumen.

After hepatic metabolism, supported by cytochrome p450 enzymes, the metabolites of lansoprazole are eliminated through urine and faeces.

Studies carried out and clinical efficacy

1. LANSOPRAZOLE AND STOMACH BURNERS

Nighttime heartburn is a very frequent condition in the western population, associated with gastric hyperacidity and which also significantly reduces the quality of life of affected patients. Intake of 15 or 30 mg of one-off lansoprazole has been shown to be effective in reducing heartburn in 61% of treated patients, preventing the appearance of the same symptoms even in the 24 hours following the intake.

2. GASTROESOFAGEO, LANSOPRAZOLO AND LIFE STYLE REFLUX

In this very interesting study carried out on patients suffering from gastro-oesophageal reflux and undergoing lansoprazole therapy, it was shown that lifestyle modification could have a particularly significant effect on improving quality of life, and on the more rapid regression of symptoms associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux.

3. SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF MAINTENANCE THERAPY WITH LANSOPRAZOLE

Despite the administration of lansoprazole, it is particularly indicated in the short-term treatment of symptoms, this study shows that maintenance therapy for about 6 years with lansoprazole, in patients with cured erosive esophagitis, may prove to be particularly safe and effective in preventing recurrence.

Method of use and dosage

LANSOX ® dispersible tablets and gastro-resistant capsules of 15 - 30 mg of lansoprazole:

while the dosage remains almost unchanged regardless of the pharmaceutical form of the product, the mode of intake tends to vary.

In fact, gastro-resistant tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, while those that cannot be eaten should be placed on the tongue and sucked slowly without breaking them.

Generally the daily dose of 15 mg of lansoprazole should be sufficient to improve the symptoms associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux in a few weeks of treatment, and to facilitate the healing of ulcers, while the posology should be doubled in the treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

In any case, the correct dosage formulation should be established by the doctor after a careful evaluation of the patient's physiopathological conditions and his therapeutic goals.

Warnings LANSOX ® Lansoprazole

The intake of lansoprazole, could mask some signs and symptoms important for a correct and timely diagnosis of malignant pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, therefore it would be appropriate to carry out a careful monitoring of the patient's health conditions before starting therapy with LANSOX ®

In addition, this medicine should be taken with particular care in patients with reduced liver and kidney function, in order to avoid the appearance of unpleasant side effects.

The presence of lactose and aspartame in LANSOX ® could be associated with the appearance of even serious side effects in patients with lactase deficiency or glucose / galactose and phenylketonuria absorption, respectively.

The possible presence of dizziness, headache and drowsiness following the intake of lansoprazole, could determine a reduction in the patient's perceptive and reactive capacities, thus making the use of machinery and driving vehicles dangerous.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

At the moment the absence of studies and clinical trials related to the use of lansoprazole in pregnancy does not allow to fully know the safety profile of this active ingredient.

Therefore the use of this medicine is not recommended both during pregnancy and in the following period of exercise.

Interactions

The inhibition exerted by the metabolites of lansoprazole on the cytochrome p450 enzyme system could alter the normal pharmacokinetic properties of active ingredients metabolized by the same system such as diazepam, phenytoin, oral contraceptives, warfarain and vitamin K antagonists.

Furthermore, the reduction of intragastric acidity caused by LANSOX ® could reduce the absorption of drugs such as ketoconazole and other antifungals, which require particularly acid pH to be absorbed.

Contraindications LANSOX ® Lansoprazole

LANSOX ® is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation, and in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to other benzimidazole derivatives, belonging to the same pharmaceutical category.

The presence of aspartame in the orosoluble tablets extends the contraindications of this drug also to patients suffering from phenylketonuria.

Undesirable effects - Side effects

Headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, flatulence, skin rash, pruritus, Stevens Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, anaphylactic reactions, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis representing the most documented side effects both in literature scientific and post-marketing monitoring.

In any case the aforementioned side effects, and others more rare but clinically more relevant, tend to spontaneous regression once the therapy is suspended.