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Lansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used once daily in children for GERD and erosive esophagitis; give before meals.
Administer on an empty stomach before meals to ensure potent acid suppression.
ODT and suspension formulations simplify administration in infants and young children but require careful handling to preserve delayed-release granules.
Dose adjustments may be required in hepatic impairment; consult hepatology for significant dysfunction.
Monitor for nutrient malabsorption and infections when therapy extends beyond 12 weeks.
Step down to the lowest effective dose or transition to on-demand therapy once symptoms are controlled.
Lansoprazole provides potent acid suppression for pediatric GERD, healing of erosive esophagitis, and combination therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection.
ODT and capsule sprinkle formulations expand use in younger children. Short courses (6–8 weeks) are typically sufficient for erosive disease; prolonged therapy requires periodic reassessment of risks versus benefits.
| Condition | Age Range | First Line? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healing of erosive esophagitis | Infants, children, adolescents | Yes | Weight-based dosing once or twice daily; reassess endoscopic or clinical healing after 8–12 weeks. |
| Maintenance of healed erosive esophagitis | Children and adolescents | Yes | Use the lowest effective dose with periodic attempts to taper. |
| Symptomatic GERD | Children and adolescents | Yes | Short-term therapy combined with lifestyle interventions. |
| Helicobacter pylori eradication | Children and adolescents | Yes | Part of triple therapy with amoxicillin and clarithromycin when susceptibility data support. |
| Eosinophilic esophagitis high-dose trial | Children and adolescents | No | Used to evaluate PPI-responsive disease before topical steroids. |
FDA-approved primary uses with Level A evidence
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Lansoprazole is well tolerated in most children; diarrhea, headache, and abdominal pain are the most frequent effects.
Assess gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms during initiation and re-evaluate chronic therapy to mitigate long-term risks such as hypomagnesemia or bone effects.
Diarrhea / abdominal pain
Common • mild
Constipation / nausea
Common • mild
Headache or dizziness
Common • mild
Clostridioides difficile–associated diarrhea
Rare • severe
Hypomagnesemia (prolonged use)
Rare • moderate
Vitamin B12 deficiency (long-term)
Uncommon • mild
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Comprehensive administration guidance for pediatric lansoprazole.
For orally disintegrating tablets, place the tablet on the tongue and allow it to dissolve before swallowing. For capsules, open and sprinkle granules onto a spoonful of soft, non-acidic food and swallow without chewing. Compounded suspensions should be shaken well and measured with an oral syringe.
If twice-daily dosing is prescribed, give the second dose before the evening meal. Avoid mixing granules with milk or formula older than 15 minutes. Document doses in a log because symptom response is slower (several days).
Emergency contact: Seek urgent care for allergic swelling, severe diarrhea, persistent abdominal pain, or signs of low magnesium (muscle cramps, palpitations).
Combine consistent dosing with positioning strategies and trigger avoidance to maximize lansoprazole benefits.
Different formulations and concentrations
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Lansoprazole is a substituted benzimidazole proton pump inhibitor that irreversibly inactivates the H+/K+ ATPase in gastric parietal cells, providing prolonged acid suppression.
After enteric-coated granules are absorbed in the small intestine, lansoprazole diffuses into the acidic canaliculi of parietal cells and converts to a sulfenamide that covalently binds cysteine residues on the proton pump. Acid secretion resumes only after new pumps are synthesized.
Simple explanations and helpful analogies
Receptors, enzymes, and cellular targets
Absorption, metabolism, and elimination
Age-related differences and special populations
Practical advice to improve lansoprazole safety and adherence.
Timing doses, choosing the right formulation, and monitoring long-term safety help families succeed with lansoprazole therapy.
Use ODT for children who cannot swallow capsules and sprinkle granules on acidic soft food for others—never crush granul…
Dose 30 minutes before breakfast (and dinner if BID) to ensure proton pumps are active when lansoprazole binds irreversi…
When giving via enteral tube, flush with water before and after dosing to prevent clogging from granules.
Plan reassessment after 6–8 weeks; step down to the lowest effective dose or discontinue when symptoms are controlled.
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Understanding your child's medication is important. We've created comprehensive guides to help you safely administer Lansoprazole and monitor your child's response to treatment.
Allow the tablet to disintegrate on the tongue or in 4 mL of water, swirl gently, and swallow immediately without chewing.
Symptom relief often begins within several days, but mucosal healing may take 4–8 weeks. Keep giving doses even if symptoms improve early.
If vomiting occurs within 15 minutes, call your clinician about repeating the dose. Otherwise, wait until the next scheduled dose—do not double up.