Agopton - Lansoprazole (lan-SOE-pra-zole) is used to treat certain conditions in which there is too much acid in the stomach. It is used to treat duodenal and gastric ulcers and gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which the acid in the stomach washes back up into the esophagus. Sometimes Agopton is used in combination with antibiotics to treat ulcers associated with infection caused by the H. pylori bacteria (germ).

Agopton is also used to treat Zollinger-Ellison disease, a condition in which the stomach produces too much acid.

Agopton works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

Special precautions

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For Agopton, the following should be considered:

Allergies—tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to Agopton. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Studies have not been done in humans. However, studies in animals have not shown that Agopton causes harm to the fetus.

Breast-feeding—Agopton may pass into the breast milk. Since this medicine has been shown to cause unwanted effects such as tumors in animals, it may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast-feeding during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.

Children—there is no specific information comparing the use of Agopton in children less than 1 year of age with use in other age groups. It is safe to use this drug to treat heartburn and erosive esophagitis in people between 1 and 17 years of age.

Older adults—in studies done to date that have included older adults; Agopton did not cause different side effects or problems than it did in younger adults.

Other medicines—although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking Agopton, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Diarrhea; 

• skin rash or itching 

• Abdominal or stomach pain; 

• increased or decreased appetite; 

• joint pain; 

• nausea;  vomiting 

• Anxiety; 

• cold or flu-like symptoms; 

• constipation; 

• increased cough; 

• mental depression; 

• muscle pain; 

• rectal bleeding; 

• unusual bleeding or bruising 

Keep all appointment with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medicines.