When a patient with a duodenal ulcer is prescribed lansoprazole and sucralfate, which sequence describes how to take these medications?

Prepare for the Hurst Readiness Exam 2 with engaging quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Master your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

When a patient with a duodenal ulcer is prescribed lansoprazole and sucralfate, which sequence describes how to take these medications?

The main idea here is sequencing two drugs to avoid interactions that can affect absorption. Sucralfate can bind to other medications and reduce how well they are absorbed, so you want the drug that needs systemic absorption to be absorbed first, then give sucralfate after a gap. Lansoprazole (a PPI) needs to be absorbed before meals to maximize its effect; giving it first ensures it can do its job without being impeded. Waiting at least 30 minutes before taking sucralfate allows lansoprazole to be absorbed and begins reducing acid, while sucralfate can then form its protective coating without binding to or delaying lansoprazole. Both drugs are best taken on an empty stomach, prior to meals, but not at the same time. If sucralfate were given first or taken together, it could bind lansoprazole and lessen its effectiveness, or delay its absorption. Therefore, the correct sequence is to take the lansoprazole first, wait at least 30 minutes, then take the sucralfate.

The main idea here is sequencing two drugs to avoid interactions that can affect absorption. Sucralfate can bind to other medications and reduce how well they are absorbed, so you want the drug that needs systemic absorption to be absorbed first, then give sucralfate after a gap.

Lansoprazole (a PPI) needs to be absorbed before meals to maximize its effect; giving it first ensures it can do its job without being impeded. Waiting at least 30 minutes before taking sucralfate allows lansoprazole to be absorbed and begins reducing acid, while sucralfate can then form its protective coating without binding to or delaying lansoprazole.

Both drugs are best taken on an empty stomach, prior to meals, but not at the same time. If sucralfate were given first or taken together, it could bind lansoprazole and lessen its effectiveness, or delay its absorption. Therefore, the correct sequence is to take the lansoprazole first, wait at least 30 minutes, then take the sucralfate.

More practice questions