This medication is considered to have a low risk when used during pregnancy, however evidence on the safety of lansoprazole use during pregnancy is limited.
What is lansoprazole?
Lansoprazole is a prescription medication known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces gastric acid secretion.
What is lansoprazole used to treat?
Lansoprazole is used in adults and children to treat stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erosive esophagitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, and conditions causing excess secretion of gastric acid.
How does lansoprazole work?
Lansoprazole is a medication that directly works to decrease the secretion of gastric acid in the stomach.
If I am taking lansoprazole, can it harm my baby?
Studies have not identified a direct link between lansoprazole exposure during the first trimester of pregnancy and an increased risk of birth defects, spontaneous abortion, or preterm delivery. Some studies have identified a possible link between PPI exposure during pregnancy and development of asthma and allergies in infants. One study linked exposure to PPIs in utero to development of hypospadia or misplacement of the urethral opening on the male penis; however, a later study did not find a link between hypospadia and PPIs use during pregnancy. Lansoprazole is a newer and less well studied PPI medication, so other PPIs like omeprazole may be preferred for use in pregnancy.
If I am taking lansoprazole and become pregnant, what should I do?
It is important that you speak with your doctor if you become pregnant while taking lansoprazole. It is recommended that lansoprazole be only be taken during pregnancy if the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the developing baby. Accidental exposure to lansoprazole during pregnancy is expected to have low risk of harming the baby, although long-term studies are needed.
If I am taking lansoprazole, can I safely breastfeed my baby?
It is unknown if lansoprazole passes through human breast milk. It is generally recommended that either breastfeeding be discontinued or lansoprazole be discontinued if breastfeeding is continued. Lansoprazole should be used with caution in breastfeeding women.
If I am taking lansoprazole, will it be more difficult to get pregnant?
There is a lack of information available on the effect of lansoprazole on human fertility. Animals studies have found no impact of the medication on male or female fertility. Some reports detail side effects of enlarged breasts with lansoprazole. One 2016 study in males suggests that gastric acid suppression with PPIs can decrease sperm count and quality.
If I am taking lansoprazole, what should I know?
Lansoprazole has limited safety information available in humans. The risk to the infant is unknown. Other PPIs may be preferred over lansoprazole in pregnant women. Lansoprazole should only be used in pregnancy when there is a clear indication for its use.
If I am taking any medication, what should I know?
This report provides a summary of available information about the use of PPIs during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Content is from the product label unless otherwise indicated.
You may find Pregistry's expert report about proton pump inhibitors here, GERD here, and reports about the various medications used for digestive system disorders here. Additional information can also be found in the resources below.
For more information about lansoprazole during and after pregnancy, contact http://www.womenshealth.gov/ (800-994-9662 [TDD: 888-220-5446]) or check the following link:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Prevacid Prescribing Information
General information
It is very common for women to worry about having a miscarriage or giving birth to a child with a birth defect while they are pregnant. Many decisions that women make about their health during pregnancy are made with these concerns in mind.
For many women these concerns are very real. As many as 1 in 5 pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and 1 in 33 babies are born with a birth defect. These rates are considered the background population risk, which means they do not take into consideration anything about the health of the mom, the medications she is taking, or the family history of the mom or the baby’s dad. A number of different things can increase these risks, including taking certain medications during pregnancy.
It is known that most medications, including over-the-counter medications, taken during pregnancy do get passed on to the baby. Fortunately, most medicines are not harmful to the baby and can be safely taken during pregnancy. But there are some that are known to be harmful to a baby’s normal development and growth, especially when they are taken during certain times of the pregnancy. Because of this, it is important to talk with your doctor or midwife about any medications you are taking, ideally before you even try to get pregnant.
If a doctor other than the one caring for your pregnancy recommends that you start a new medicine while you are pregnant, it is important that you let them know you are pregnant.
If you do need to take a new medication while pregnant, it is important to discuss the possible risks the medicine may pose on your pregnancy with your doctor or midwife. They can help you understand the benefits and the risks of taking the medicine.
Ultimately, the decision to start, stop, or change medications during pregnancy is up to you to make, along with input from your doctor or midwife. If you do take medications during pregnancy, be sure to keep track of all the medications you are taking.