Pantoprazole
Description
Pantoprazole is a medicine that helps to treat conditions that are caused by excess acid production in the stomach. Some of these conditions are peptic ulcer (sores in the stomach, small intestine, and food pipe), esophagitis (swelling of the food pipe), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (stomach acid flowing back into the food pipe). Pantoprazole works by reducing excess acid production in your stomach and relieving symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty in swallowing, stomach pain, and vomiting.
Pantoprazole shows common side effects like nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and dizziness. Most of these are mild and may resolve with time. However, consult your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen. Long term treatment with this medicine may cause dizziness, hence, avoid driving and operating heavy machinery after taking this medicine
Pantoprazole is generally taken one hour before the meal. The dosage and duration of this medication will be decided by your doctor. Do not stop the treatment without consulting with your doctor.
Pantoprazole should not be used if you are allergic to it. It is not recommended for use in children below 5 years of age. This medicine should be used with caution in people with osteoporosis as it may increase their risk of fracture. People with liver problems may require regular monitoring of their liver function, hence, before starting treatment with Pantoprazole inform your doctor if you have any liver problems. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Pantoprazole
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fast or slow or irregular heartbeat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Excessive gas in stomach
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Muscle pain
Uses of Pantoprazole
What is it prescribed for?
- Erosive Esophagitis
- Gastroesophagal Reflux Disease
- Helicobacter pylori Infection
- Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
- Gastro-duodenal ulcers
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionPantoprazole begins its action within an hour of its administration.
- Duration of effectAfter administration, the effect of Pantoprazole may last for an average duration of 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported with the use of Pantoprazole.
- Usage in pregnancy?Pantoprazole is usually not recommended to pregnant women as there is not enough proof of its safety during pregnancy. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine only if the benefit outweighs the risk.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Pantoprazole may pass into breast milk. An alternate medicine may be preferred, especially while you are nursing a newborn or preterm infant. However, it should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation.
Allergy
Avoid Pantoprazole if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if there is a history of allergy to this medication. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms of allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, breathing difficulties, swelling of the face, tongue, throat, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Pantoprazole is usually not recommended to pregnant women as there is not enough proof of its safety during pregnancy. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine only if the benefit outweighs the risk.
Breast-feeding
Pantoprazole may pass into breast milk. An alternate medicine may be preferred, especially while you are nursing a newborn or preterm infant. However, it should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation.
General warnings
Lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, kidneys, brain, joints, and other organs. It occurs when the immune system of your body attacks its own tissues. Lupus may occur or worsen while using Pantoprazole. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience tiredness, painful joints, rashes, or lesions on the skin while using this medicine.
Bone fractures
Long term use of Pantoprazole decreases the calcium absorption in the body leading to the reduced bone strength. Your doctor may prescribe calcium and vitamin D supplements to maintain the bone density.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Long-term treatment with Pantoprazole may decrease the absorption of Vitamin B12 in the body. Your doctor may prescribe vitamin B12 supplements if this medicine is used for a longer time.
Driving or operating a machine
Pantoprazole may cause sleepiness or dizziness. Avoid driving vehicles and operating heavy machines after taking this medicine.
Hypomagnesemia
Long term use of Pantoprazole may result in low magnesium levels in your blood (hypomagnesemia) due to excess excretion of it through urine. Inform your doctor if you experience symptoms such as dizziness, irregular heartbeat, shivering, muscle pain, seizures (fits). Your doctor may monitor your magnesium levels at regular intervals.
Missed Dose
Oral forms: Try not to skip the dose of Pantoprazole. In case you missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose.
Injection: Pantoprazole is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral forms: Seek emergency medical attention or contact the doctor in case of overdose.
Injection: Since Pantoprazole is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Ketoconazole
Methotrexate
Warfarin
Nelfinavir
Digoxin
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
Pantoprazole is absorbed in the liver. Therefore, in people with liver problems, this medicine may not be eliminated completely leading to its accumulation. This may lead to side effects.
Colitis
Colitis is swelling of the inner lining of the colon (large intestine). It causes diarrhoea. If you have colitis, use Pantoprazole with extreme caution as it may worsen your condition.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones become weak. Pantoprazole decreases calcium absorption in the body leading to calcium deficiency. Hence, long-term use of this medicine can lead to decreased bone strength and worsening of your condition. Your doctor may prescribe Calcium and Vitamin D supplement along with this medicine.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
People taking Pantoprazole may get false-positive results for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) test. Inform your doctor or lab technician about the use of this medicine before the lab test.
Oral forms: Take Pantoprazole as instructed by your doctor. Do not take more than the recommended dose, as it may lead to complications. Take this medicine one hour before a meal on an empty stomach. Do not crush or chew the tablet in the mouth.
Injection: Pantoprazole injection should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting. Do not self administer.
Avoid spicy and fatty foods, alcohol, and reduce caffeinated drinks or beverages such as coffee, tea and cola while using this medicine. Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
The medicine may cause visual disturbances and dizziness, hence, avoid driving and operating heavy machines.
If you experience any side effects, consult your doctor immediately.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Pantoprazole works by blocking the pump present in the stomach lining that produces acid.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Anti-Ulcer Agents, Proton pump inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
Drugs, H., 2021. Pantoprazole: Medlineplus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 13 January 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Pantoprazole 20 Mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets - Summary Of Product Characteristics (Smpc) - (Emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 13 January 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 13 January 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Dailymed - PANTOPRAZOLE SODIUM Tablet, Delayed Release. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 13 January 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Pantoprazole. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 25 February 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Sep 2021
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