Omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole and rabeprazole are all medicines used to reduce stomach acid, but their storage instructions can vary depending on the specific product and packaging.
Many commonly used PPI products are stored below 25°C and kept in their original packaging to protect them from moisture. However, you should always check the patient information leaflet for your exact medicine because storage instructions and in use shelf life can differ between products. For example, some lansoprazole products must be used within 3 months of opening, while some omeprazole products have a 100 day in use shelf life after opening a bottle.
This guide explains how to store acid reflux medicines safely, what the expiry date means, what to do with medicines that are no longer needed, and what to consider when travelling with them.
Key things to know
- Many PPI products should be stored below 25°C, but always check the instructions for your specific product.
- Keep medicines in their original packaging to help protect them from moisture and, for some products, light.
- Some products have a shorter in use shelf life once opened. This may be 100 days or 3 months, but it depends on the product and packaging.
- Do not use lansoprazole or another medicine after its expiry date.
- Return unwanted or expired medicines to a pharmacy for disposal rather than flushing them or putting them into household waste.
The Real Storage Temperature and Direct Sunlight Rule
You may see advice online saying that PPIs should be stored between 15°C and 25°C. This is not a universal requirement.
For many UK PPI products, the official storage instruction is simply to keep the medicine below 25°C. For example, current product information for lansoprazole and omeprazole states that they should not be stored above 25°C.
In practical terms, a cool, dry cupboard can usually be suitable if it stays within the storage conditions stated on your medicine.
A kitchen cupboard can work, but keep medicines away from the oven, hob, radiator and direct sunlight. A bathroom cabinet is also not ideal because steam and humidity can expose medicines to moisture.
There is no need to keep most standard PPI capsules or tablets in the fridge unless the product information specifically tells you to do so.
Storage by Medicine
| Medicine | Storage guidance |
|---|---|
| Omeprazole (capsules and Losec MUPS tablets) | Many products should be stored below 25°C and kept in their original packaging to protect them from moisture. |
| Lansoprazole (capsules and orodispersible tablets) | Many products should be stored below 25°C and kept in their original packaging. Some capsule products should be used within 3 months of opening the container. |
| Pantoprazole | Check the specific product leaflet for its storage requirements. Many products are stored below 25°C. |
| Esomeprazole | Check the specific product leaflet. Many products are stored below 25°C and kept in their original packaging. |
| Rabeprazole | Check the specific product leaflet for the correct storage conditions and in use shelf life. |
These are general guidelines rather than instructions for every brand and formulation. Always check the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.
For example, one current lansoprazole capsule product states that it should be stored below 25°C, kept in the original package and used within 3 months of opening the container.
Why Original Packaging Matters
Original packaging is designed to protect medicines from conditions that can affect their stability, particularly moisture. Some products also need protection from light.
For example, UK product information for omeprazole capsules says to store them in their original package to protect them from moisture. Some bottle products also need to be kept tightly closed.
This is why it is better to leave capsules and tablets in their original blister or container until you need them.
If you use a weekly pill organiser to help you remember your medicines, ask your pharmacist whether it is suitable for your particular product. Some medicines are more sensitive to moisture and light than others, so transferring them out of their original packaging for longer periods is not always appropriate.
Avoid storing medicines in the bathroom, especially if the room becomes warm or humid after showers.
Travelling With Your Medication
If you are travelling, keep your medication in its original packaging where possible. This makes it easier to identify the medicine and check its instructions if needed.
Avoid leaving medicines in a car, particularly in warm weather. The temperature inside a parked vehicle can become much higher than the outside temperature, which may take the medicine outside its recommended storage conditions.
If you are flying, keeping essential medicines in your hand luggage is generally sensible. This means you still have access to them if checked luggage is delayed or lost.
If you are travelling abroad, check whether you need any additional documents for your prescription medicines before you travel.
Shelf Life Once Opened
The expiry date on the packaging is not always the only date you need to consider.
Some medicines have a separate in use shelf life after a bottle or container is first opened. This can be different from the printed expiry date.
For example, one UK lansoprazole capsule product says to use the contents within 3 months of opening. Some omeprazole bottle products specify 100 days after first opening.
Do not assume that every PPI has the same 3 month or 100 day period. Check the leaflet for your exact product and packaging.
What Actually Happens If a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) Is Stored Poorly?
Medicines are tested and packaged to remain stable under their recommended storage conditions. Exposure to excessive heat, moisture or other unsuitable conditions can affect the quality of some medicines.
The exact effect depends on the medicine, formulation, packaging and how it has been stored. It is therefore not possible to say that every poorly stored PPI will lose a specific amount of potency.
For this reason, follow the storage instructions on your medicine. If a medicine has been exposed to significant heat, moisture or other unusual conditions, ask a pharmacist whether it is still suitable to use.
The same applies if the medicine looks different from normal. Changes in colour, texture, smell or the condition of the packaging are worth checking with a pharmacist.
Can You Take Lansoprazole or Omeprazole Past Their Expiry Dates?
No. You should not use lansoprazole, omeprazole or another medicine after the expiry date shown on the packaging.
The expiry date refers to the period for which the manufacturer has established the medicine's quality and stability when it has been stored correctly. Once the medicine is past that date, you cannot assume that it will still meet the required quality standards.
This does not mean that an expired capsule will automatically cause harm. However, you should not rely on an expired medicine when you need effective treatment.
If you accidentally take an expired dose, do not panic. If you feel unwell or are worried, speak to your pharmacist, GP or another healthcare professional.
How Long Does Lansoprazole Stay in Your System?
Lansoprazole has a relatively short plasma half life of around 1 to 2 hours. However, its effect on the proton pumps that produce stomach acid lasts longer than the medicine remains in the bloodstream.
This is why the length of time the medicine remains in your blood is not the same as the length of time it affects acid production.
Lansoprazole is usually taken once a day, although some people are prescribed it twice a day depending on the condition being treated. NHS guidance says it works best when taken at least 30 minutes before a meal or snack because food can reduce the amount of lansoprazole that gets into the body.
Follow the dose and timing given by your prescriber or pharmacist.
How to Dispose of Expired or Unused Medication
Take expired or unwanted acid reflux medication to a pharmacy and ask about safe disposal.
UK medicine information advises against disposing of medicines through wastewater or household waste. Instead, patients are advised to ask their pharmacist how to dispose of medicines they no longer need.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or pour them down the sink.
If you are unsure what to do with an old medicine, your local pharmacy can tell you the appropriate disposal route.
If you notice a change in the appearance, smell or texture of your medicine before its expiry date, do not simply assume it is safe to use. Ask a pharmacist to check it.
Keeping Medication Safe from Children and Pets
Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
A high, secure cupboard can help prevent accidental access, but a locked medicine box may be more appropriate if there are young children in the home.
Do not leave medicines on kitchen worktops, bedside tables or other places where children or pets can reach them.
If a child takes medicine accidentally, seek urgent medical advice. Keep the medicine packet with you so you can tell the healthcare professional exactly what was taken.
Available Treatments
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Lansoprazole 15mg Capsules | From £5.99 (usual dose for indigestion: 15mg to 30mg daily, depending on the product and prescriber's instructions; follow the prescribed dosage) |
| Pantoprazole | From £5.99 |
| Famotidine Tablets | From £8.49 |
| Lansoprazole 15mg Orodispersible Tablets | From £8.49 |
| Esomeprazole | From £16.99 |
| Omeprazole 20mg | From £12.99 |
| Rabeprazole | From £19.99 |
| Losec MUPS 20mg Tablets | From £29.99 |
Medical Disclaimer
This page provides general information about storing acid reflux medication. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice.
Always check the patient information leaflet for your specific medicine, particularly if it has been opened or transferred from its original packaging.
Do not take medicine after its expiry date. If you are unsure whether a medicine has been stored correctly or is still suitable to use, ask a pharmacist before taking it.
