Lafutidine
About
Lafutidine belongs to a class of medicines called ‘H2-receptor antagonists’. It is used in the treatment of peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux). Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, lower esophagus or small intestine. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your esophagus.
Lafutidine contains ‘lafutidine’ which acts as an antacid. It works by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach which helps in the relief of acid-related indigestion and heartburn.
Lafutidine must be taken in the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Based on the severity of the medical condition, your doctor may prescribe Lafutidine to take once daily before bedtime or twice daily in the morning and before bedtime with or without food. Common side-effects of Lafutidine are fatigue, drowsiness, headache, increased liver enzymes, constipation, increased uric acid level in the blood, diarrhea, muscle pain, protein in the urine. These side effects resolve on their own, if it persists, stop the Lafutidine and contact your doctor immediately.
Do not take Lafutidine if you are allergic, other H2 receptor antagonists, or any other ingredients present in it. Before taking Lafutidine, inform your doctor if you are taking prescription or non-prescription medications, including antacids, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Inform your doctor if you have any gastrointestinal problems, kidney diseases, and liver diseases. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become a pregnant/breastfeeding woman.
Uses of Lafutidine
Medicinal Benefits
Lafutidine belongs to a group of medicines called ‘H2-receptor antagonists’, which acts as an antacid. It works by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach which helps in the relief of acid-related indigestion and heartburn. It is used in the treatment of peptic ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux). It is also used in the treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a condition in which the tumors formed in the pancreas, and duodenum increases stomach acids) and gastric mucosal lesions.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Lafutidine
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Increased liver enzymes
- Constipation
- Increased uric acid level in blood
- Diarrhea
- Muscle pain
- Protein in urine
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Lafutidine if you are allergic, other H2 receptor antagonists, or any other ingredients present in it. Before taking Lafutidine, inform your doctor if you are taking prescription or non-prescription medications, including antacids, any nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Inform your doctor if you have any gastrointestinal problems, kidney diseases, and liver diseases. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant/breast-feeding women. Lafutidine should be used with caution in the elderly patients due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Lafutidine should be used with caution in patients on dialysis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of renal function is necessary for such patients during treatment with this medicine. Lafutidine may cause shock and anaphylactic reactions in some patients. Report any symptoms such as pale skin, dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc. to the doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Lafutidine interacts with drugs like Diuretics (furosemide), NSAIDS (lornoxicam), antacids (cimetidine),ACE inhibitors (Captopril), antidepressants (lithium), anti-coagulants (warfarin, Heparin), anti-platelet (aspirin), anti-cancer (methotrexate),HIV medications (atazanavir, efavirenz, nevirapine) and anti-diabetic (acarbose).
Drug-Food Interactions: Lafutidine may interact with alcohol
Drug-Disease Interactions: Lafutidine should be used with caution in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding, renal dysfunction, liver problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionLafutidine may interact with alcohol and increase the risk of side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionLafutidine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast Feeding
cautionLafutidine medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine based on your clinical condition.
Driving
cautionLafutidine may cause dizziness and headache. So, you should not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking Lafutidine.
Liver
cautionLafutidine should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases. Consult your doctor before using Lafutidine, dose-adjustments may be done by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionLafutidine should be used only when prescribed by a doctor. Dose adjustments may be necessary
Children
cautionLafutidine is not recommended for use in children, because safety of the drug is not clearly established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a healthy weight. Lose excess weight if you are overweight or obese.
- Do not lie down immediately after eating.
- Eat smaller meals in short intervals.
- Elevate the head of the bed while sleeping.
- Quit smoking.
- Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake.
- Reduce stress.
- Do not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without the doctor's advice.
- Avoid spicy foods and carbonated drinks.
- Avoid eating citrus fruits like orange and lemon, which can irritate the stomach and increase acid secretion.
Special Advise
- Do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor.
- If you are also taking other medications to treat acidity (e.g., antacid), take them 2 hours before or after taking Lafutidine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your esophagus. Symptoms include a burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which might be worse at night, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation of food or sour liquid, a sensation of a lump in your throat.
Peptic ulcers: Peptic ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach, lower esophagus, or small intestine. Peptic ulcers are of three types: gastric ulcers (ulcers that develop inside the stomach), esophageal ulcers (ulcers that develop inside the esophagus), duodenal ulcers (ulcers that develop in the upper section of the small intestines, called the duodenum). Symptoms include changes in appetite, nausea, bloody or dark stools, unexplained weight loss, indigestion, vomiting, chest pain.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare condition in which tumors formed in the pancreas or duodenum leads to an increase in the production of stomach acid. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
FAQs
Lafutidine works by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach which helps in the relief of acid-related indigestion and heartburn.
Do not take Lafutidine for the long term unless prescribed by a doctor. Prolonged use may cause unwanted side-effects. So, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks associated with the drug before using it for the long-term.
Lafutidine cause common side effects like fatigue, drowsiness, headache, increased liver enzymes, constipation, increased uric acid level in blood, diarrhea, muscle pain, protein in urine.
Lafutidine should be taken at night time as acid reflux is usually worse at night time. Take the tablet at a fixed time every day for better results.
Lafutidine should not be stopped suddenly. Consult your doctor before stopping the Lafutidine.
