Lansoprazole - reassurance needed please

[CreatingHavoc]

I've just started Lansoprazole today and having read the side effects leaflet I'm now slightly scared. I have health anxiety and and new medication stresses me out a lot but particularly with Lansoprazole it's the 'slight increase in risk of infectious diarrhea' that's set me off worrying. Would 1 dose possibly cause this or is it something that would only occur after a longer period of time taking the meds? I'm probably unreasonably scared of c-diff because a family member died of it but they were elderly. I'm terrified of antibiotics for the same reason but didn't realise it'd be a risk with ppi's until I read the leaflet this morning. 🤦 I think I'll ask the Dr for different meds without that risk as I'll be stressing constantly otherwise.

Hey I also have health anxiety suffer with depression and have ptsd, I take Lansoprazole 2 times a day for heart burn and reflux as over counter meds just don’t do anything for me so dr said better to prevent then treat.. I’ve been on them well over a year now and had none of the side effects and trust me I’m always getting side effects from everything !!
my mum also takes them has for 5+ years and she’s never had issues with them either. I find it best I don’t read the leaflets, unless I feel unwell from tablets otherwise I get myself worked up and won’t take the tablets.. my anxiety over tablets is really bad I even won’t take paracetamol unless I really really have to xxx hope this helps a little you can always speak to your dr again about your worries

Thanks @Kattb, I have ibs and hiatus hernia, reflux etc. Tried omeprazole and Lansoprazole years ago but they didn't agree with my already very sensitive stomach but thought I'd try again as reflux was getting really bad.

Hello @CreatingHavoc
I've been on lansoprazole for twenty plus years and have no side effects. If I stop or even miss 2days I get dreadful heartburn.
I have reflux oesophagitis and a hiatus hernia, I had a camera down to check)
It didn't occur to me that there might be side effects, I'm just grateful for the daily 15mg which keeps me so well.

Yeah I’ve been poorly for while with a undiagnosed as of yet bowel disease 🥺 which I think must be to do with some stomach issues I get, I get heart burn so bad sometimes I have to make myself sick and I can say since taking these I haven’t had it to that extent, I’m such a worrier I drive myself crazy! So I can sympathise with you, Health anxiety sucks!!!! I know my mum takes the Lansoprazole to protect her stomach as she’s on really strong painkillers she also suffers badly from silent heartburn . Hope they help you if your mind will let you take them ‘hug’ xxx

Every person and his dog is on lansoprazole.

There is a very very slight risk of infectious diarrhoea if prescribed particular antibiotics but guidelines for antibiotic prescribing have already changed so these aren't prescribed first line.

It's a very remote possibility that you would get C Diff unless you were already seriously unwell in hospital or otherwise frail.

@OCaledonia my gp has given me 30mg. I wonder if that's too high.

@Kattb my health anxiety is really bad when it comes to new meds. I struggle with anything but anything to do with c-diff really gets to me.

I’m on 30mg, one 15mg morning and one at night, speak to your dr .. maybe try just 1 tablet a day so that’s half the dose x

@Kattb thank you. I have to have the dispersible tablets as I've developed swallowing problemsaas well and I did wonder if I should have just taken half. 🤦
I hope your bowel issues are diagnosed swiftly btw. It's not fun when your whole digestive system seems to be playing up.

@CreatingHavoc you really need to talk to your doctor about these concerns. I find that most doctors are very understanding of people's fears about conditions and drugs now. I was talking to my doc about this exact drug just the other day and we were debating on whether to double it up. As he said - like any drug some will cause some reaction in some people.

I have GERD and have been on Lansoprazole for about 10 years. I'm on 30mg but I take one tablet every other day.

No side effects at all but if I forget a tablet first thing I'm in agony by 10am and it takes hours to ease.

I have managed really well on 15mg, my GP offered 30mg but I said I'd try on the lower dose. No harm discussing with your GP.
Several of my siblings and both my parents take Lansoprazole or Omeprazole (both are PPI s, Omeprazole didn't work so well for me)

@OCaledonia thanks, I'll ask gp about lowering the dose. I only have a small hiatus hernia (2cm I think) but it's enough to cause problems.

I take 40mg of omeprazole twice a day. AND a H2 antagonist.

The pain of my reflux and other GI symptoms is way to severe to not have it and the risks of constant acid in a place it shouldn't be are higher than a minute risk of infectious diarrhoea in every day life with a functional immune system. Soap and water is enough against c diff (not ABHR).

@Missingthegore that's quite a high dose, though omeprazole is apparently often needed at higher doses that Lansoprazole. I'm anxious about it because it's one of the first things listed on the package leaflet, which made it seem more risky than it probably is. Also, an older relative died from c-diff so it's something that's on my mind whenever I see it mentioned. I'm not sure what ABHR is but if it's another type of bacterial diarrhoea it's probably best I don't know about it!
But yes, I'm also anxious about oesophagal cancer etc, which is why I'm trying the meds.

ABHR = Alcohol based hand rub

Every person and his dog is on lansoprazole
This made me laugh but it's true. PPIs must be one of the most commonly taken drugs.
I'm on omeprazole at the moment following gastritis, oseophagitis and H hernia. I was told to take for three months and the only side effect I have had is constipation which is easily solved.

Has anyone taken lansoprazole whilst pregnant?

C-diff causes antibiotic related diarrhoea. C-diff is a bacteria that lives in lots of people's gut and doesn't cause any harm unless you take antibiotics and wipe out all the good bacteria.

Yes, lansoprazole can increase the risk of infectious diarrhoea but this wouldn't include c-diff.

The reason for this is the body's first line of defence against bacteria you eat is the stomach acid. Lansoprazole works to make your stomach acid less acidic.

It's a very small risk, OP. It says it right there in the leaflet. I think if you are so worried about this then maybe discussing a different medication like Gaviscon with your GP might be the way to go.

Gaviscon works by floating over the top of the stomach acid and stopping it refluxing upwards so much.