“Lansoprazole OTC?”
Can I take lansoprazole 15mg otc daily for longer than 14 days? I’ve been having lots of heartburn, regurgitation, and throat discomfort. A couple of years ago I took the 30mg once daily for 3 months but the otc one says to only take it for two weeks. Can I take the medication safely for longer?
Female | 35 years old
Complaint duration: Two weeks
Medications: Lansoprazole
Conditions: GERD
4 Answers
Go see a doctor.
14 days only if you’re using it without a physician’s advise. Please get this evaluated to avoid complications.
Yes. Two weeks is duration of therapy with over counter acid reducing medicines for the patients who have occasional or mild reflux disease. If you have throat irritation and regurgitation with more than twice a week acid reflux symptoms, you can continue up to 6 weeks. If symptoms recur after stopping your medicine, you need to see your primary care physician to be evaluated and assessed for more advanced therapy tailored to your needs and possible diagnostic tests.
Yes, it can be taken for more than 14 days, but always try to use the lowest effective dose to control heartburn. You also should consider getting an EGD done if not done already. This is to look for a hiatal hernia and make sure there is no pre-cancerous damage to the esophagus. The last piece of advice is to consider an anti-reflux surgery or procedure, which is an alternative to using antacid pills indefinitely.
