Today, gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD affects hundreds of people in the United Kingdom. The good news regarding this digestive disorder is that it can be treated with the right treatment option. Your doctor will most likely recommend that you use acid reflux medications (UK), such as Lansoprazole capsules or Omeprazole capsules.
But here’s a burning question; what type of drug is lansoprazole and is it safe for use during pregnancy? Read on to find out everything Ashcroft Pharmacy wants you to know about this lansoprazole-related question.
What class of drug does lansoprazole belong to?
Like Omeprazole capsules, lansoprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors or PPIs. This drug group is known for its effectiveness in helping to reduce the amount of acid your stomach can produce.
As the name suggests, PPIs work by inhibiting certain cells in the stomach. This inhibition process prevents these cells from pumping too much acid into your stomach.
According to health experts, PPIs are advised to be taken 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. By following this advice, you can expect PPIs to help you reduce certain indigestion problems including heartburn.
Are PPIs safe in pregnancy?
According to health experts, certain proton pump inhibitors are pretty safe for use during pregnancy. Further research also reveals that these PPIs are also safe for breastfeeding mothers. A good example of safe PPIs for pregnant women is Omeprazole 10 mg tablets.
With omeprazole capsules or tablets considered good for pregnant women, is it also safe to say that lansoprazole capsules are safe during pregnancy or when breastfeeding?
Warnings regarding lansoprazole & pregnancy
Based on animal models, it’s evident that high doses of lansoprazole can cause fetal mortality and lower fetal weight. Unfortunately, these models weren’t sufficient to provide any transgenic evidence.
That said, the overall safety of lansoprazole for pregnant women is still unclear. As such, it’s not advisable to use lansoprazole during pregnancy. If you must use any acid reflux tablets, we’ll advise that you consult with your doctor first and let them understand your present condition. In most cases, your doctor will recommend you go for an omeprazole capsule, since there is enough evidence to back up its safety for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. You should also seek medical advice If you’ve already started taking lansoprazole before understanding you’re pregnant.
Should I take lansoprazole capsules as a breastfeeding mother?
Here’s another burning question; should you take lansoprazole 20 mg capsules or tablets when breastfeeding?
Well, there’s no direct answer to this question. Your doctor should be able to provide you with the right answer to this question, based on your condition during breastfeeding.
- What we can only say is that there’s little or no information regarding whether or not lansoprazole passes into breast milk.
- Furthermore, there’s also no clear evidence to understand the effects of lansoprazole capsules on a nursing infant.
Because of these reasons, we wouldn’t recommend that you consider lansoprazole during your breastfeeding periods. If you must use this PPI drug, the prescription should come directly from your doctor.
A few other PPI drugs are more established to be safe for use when breastfeeding. You should speak to your doctor to better understand the best acid reflux medication (UK) that’ll work for your current condition when breastfeeding.
