Pantoprazole
About Pantoprazole
Pantoprazole belongs to the class of drugs known as Proton pump inhibitor, which reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. It treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (overproduction of acid due to a pancreatic tumour), duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, and Crohn’s disease-associated ulcers.
Pantoprazole helps reduce stomach acid by blocking the action of an enzyme (H+/K+ ATPase, also known as the gastric proton pump). This proton pump lies in the cells of the stomach wall and is responsible for the release of gastric acid secretion, damaging tissues in the food pipe, stomach and duodenum. Pantoprazole prevents the release of stomach acid and relieves symptoms of food pipe lining inflammation (esophagitis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn.
Pantoprazole may have common side effects, such as headache, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, flatulence, dizziness, and arthralgia (joint pain). These side effects are temporary and may resolve on their own over time. However, if these side effects persist, don't hesitate to contact your doctor.
Pantoprazole is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers but should be taken only after consulting a doctor. Tell your doctor if you have stomach or intestinal cancer, liver problems, are allergic to Pantoprazole or will have an endoscopy in the future. Prolonged intake of Pantoprazole may cause a deficiency of Vitamin B12 and low levels of calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D, leading to osteoporosis.
Uses of Pantoprazole
• Gastric reflux disease (GERD): Pantoprazole is frequently used to treat GERD by decreasing the production of stomach acid, which lessens the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.
• Erosive Esophagitis: This medication efficiently promotes healing and symptom relief for this ailment, which is brought on by inflammation and damage to the esophagus as a result of acid reflux.
• Peptic Ulcers: By lowering stomach acid, Pantoprazole can be used to treat peptic ulcers and promote the healing of the affected areas.
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: This uncommon ailment results in an overabundance of stomach acid. Pantoprazole considerably lowers acid secretion, which aids with symptom management.
Medicinal Benefits
Pantoprazole is effective in healing erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the food pipe), relieving symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, and Crohn’s disease-associated ulcers. Pantoprazole works by irreversibly blocking the proton pump gate, which secretes stomach acid. It can be prescribed to all age groups, including special populations like the elderly, pregnant, lactating mothers, and patients with kidney and liver disease.
Directions for Use
Tablet/capsule: Swallow it as a whole with water; do not crush, break or chew it. Granules for Suspension: Firstly, shake the container and open the cap. Add the granules from the packet to a cup containing 1 teaspoon of applesauce or apple juice. Mix well for 5 seconds and make your child drink immediately. Pantoprazole should be given 30 min before meals.
Storage
Side Effects of Pantoprazole
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Flatulence
- Dizziness
- Arthralgia (joint pain)
Drug Warnings
You should avoid taking Pantoprazole if you are allergic to Pantoprazole or proton pump inhibitors, have gastric cancer, liver disease, low magnesium level (osteoporosis), low vitamin B12, are pregnant or planning for pregnancy or are breastfeeding mothers. Pantoprazole may interact with a blood thinner (warfarin), antifungal (ketoconazole), anti-HIV drug (atazanavir, nelfinavir), iron supplements, ampicillin antibiotic, and anti-cancer drug (methotrexate). Let your doctor know if you are taking these medicines. Prolonged intake of Pantoprazole may cause lupus erythematosus (an inflammatory condition in which the immune system attacks its own tissues), Vitamin B12, and magnesium deficiency. Intake of Pantoprazole may mask the symptoms of gastric cancer, so if you have any severe stomach pain or gastric bleeding (blood in mucous or stool), immediately consult the doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Pantoprazole may interact with a blood thinner (clopidogrel, warfarin), antifungal (ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole), anti-HIV drug (atazanavir, nelfinavir), iron supplements, antibiotic (ampicillin, rifampicin), heart medicine (digoxin) and anti-cancer drug (methotrexate). Let your doctor know if you are taking these medicines.
Drug-Food Interaction: Pantoprazole interacts with St John's wort plant that is used as an antidepressant. This plant may affect the working of Pantoprazole. So avoid its intake with Pantoprazole.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Pantoprazole should not be given to patients with Clostridium difficile-induced colitis, liver disease, bone fractures, low Vitamin B12 (anaemia), and low magnesium (hypomagnesemia).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDrinking alcohol with Pantoprazole may cause dehydration and elevate the level of stomach acid thereby decreasing its efficiency. So try to avoid, limit alcohol or contact doctor before intake of Pantoprazole.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known whether Pantoprazole affects the baby or not. So, contact a doctor before intake of Pantoprazole. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing it.
Breast Feeding
cautionPantoprazole passes into the breast milk. However, no evidence of risk has been reported. Please consult your doctor before intake of Pantoprazole. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing it.
Driving
cautionIn some cases, Pantoprazole may cause dizziness, sleepiness, or blur vision. If you observe these symptoms, do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you feel better.
Liver
cautionPantoprazole should be taken with caution if you have liver problems.
Kidney
cautionPatients with kidney disease should consult a doctor before taking Pantoprazole.
Children
cautionPantoprazole is not be prescribed for children under 5 years of age. It is generally prescribed from 5-16 years of children for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid consuming foods or drinks that trigger acid reflux or heartburn, such as onions, peppermint, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes, high-fat foods, and spicy foods.
- Before going to sleep, raise your bedhead so that your head and chest are higher than your feet. Do not use piles of pillows; one raised block is fine. This will prevent stomach acid from backing up into your food pipe.
- Avoid taking alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Alcohol can raise the level of production of stomach acid, leading to heartburn and acid reflux. On the other hand, nicotine smoking damages the valve (sphincter), preventing the backflow of the stomach acid into the food pipe.
- Include high-fibre-containing foods, such as berries, cherries, leafy green veggies (like kale and spinach), and black pepper in your meal. These foods are rich in antioxidants, calcium, and vitamin B12, which can help mitigate the long-term effects of the medicine. Fermented dairy products like miso, sauerkraut, and kimchi contain probiotics which help in the prevention of excess stomach acid production. Cranberry juice can be beneficial for peptic ulcers and H. pylori infection.
- Avoid sitting for long periods, as it can increase stomach acid production. Try to take a 5-minute break every hour by going for a brisk walk or stretching.
Special Advise
- Individuals at risk of osteoporosis-related fractures should consume an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D.
- Regular monitoring of vitamin B12 is necessary, as it rarely causes a vitamin B12 deficiency. The risk increases if they are taken daily for an extended period.
- Pantoprazole may interfere with specific laboratory tests, including urine tests for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and blood tests to detect certain tumours, possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you are using Pantoprazole.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Typically, a thick mucus layer protects the stomach against its acid secretion. But, in the long run, it gets eroded by excessive stomach acid production, leading to complications like GERD, peptic ulcer, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a gastrointestinal disorder that occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the food pipe (esophagus). This backflow (acid reflux) irritates the food pipe and causes heartburn. On the other hand, a peptic ulcer is a painful condition characterised by the development of sores or ulcers in the stomach lining or the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare condition in which a gastrin-secreting tumour of the pancreas causes excessive acid production, leading to peptic ulcers.
FAQs
Pantoprazole is used to treat Hyperacidity, Heartburn, and Peptic ulcer.
Pantoprazole prevents the release of stomach acid and relieves symptoms of food pipe lining inflammation (esophagitis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn.
No. Gas and acidity are two different common discomforts. Acidity is caused when the improper functioning of the valve (sphincter) is located at the junction of the stomach and the food pipe. As a result, stomach acid backs up and enters the upper part of the oesophagus, causing heartburn. On the other hand, gas is a byproduct of digestion, eliminating gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen, and methane from the body.
Yes. Pantoprazole can alter specific medical tests, such as neuroendocrine tumour (secretin stimulation test) and urine screening tests for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). So, before undergoing such tests, contact your doctor.
Prolonged intake of Pantoprazole may weaken your bone and lower your haemoglobin level. Your doctor may prescribe you Vitamin B12 for enhancing haemoglobin and calcium/vitamin D/magnesium supplements for bone health.
No. Pantoprazole prevents the excessive production of stomach acid, which can cause acid reflux and heartburn. If blood is present in your stool or mucus, contact your doctor immediately.
Prolonged intake of Pantoprazole may lead to atrophic gastritis (inflammation of stomach cells), Vitamin B12 deficiency and weakening of bones or osteoporosis (loss of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D). Your doctor may prescribe calcium, vitamin D or haemoglobin-enhancing medications to cope with long-term side effects.
No. Pantoprazole is not prescribed for stomach cancer. Do not take Pantoprazole until your doctor has prescribed it to you. Pantoprazole is only indicated for the treatment of hyperacidity, acid reflux symptoms (GERD), heartburn and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
You should start to feel better in 2-3 days of starting Pantoprazole. However, it might take up to 4 weeks for Pantoprazole to work properly. Consult a doctor if you don't feel better or if your condition doesn't improve.
A single dose of Pantoprazole may not be sufficient. To treat your condition properly, take Pantoprazole in the dose and for the duration prescribed by your doctor.
Yes, it is safe to take Pantoprazole if your doctor prescribes it. It is a well-tolerated medicine.
Pantoprazole is usually prescribed for a short term. However, in some cases, it may be indicated in the long-term management of reflux oesophagitis. If you take Pantoprazole on a long-term basis (longer than 1 year), your doctor will advise regular monitoring.
It is best to take Pantoprazole 30 minutes to one hour before a meal.
Pantoprazole should not be discontinued without a doctor’s consultation. To treat your condition effectively, take Pantoprazole for as long as it has been prescribed. Talk to the doctor if you have any concerns.
Pantoprazole may cause weight changes as a side effect. Consult the doctor if you notice any weight changes that bother you.
Avoid alcohol consumption as it might make your stomach produce more acid than usual. This can irritate the stomach lining and make your symptoms worse.
Antacids can be taken with Pantoprazole if prescribed by the doctor. However, maintain a 2-hour gap between Pantoprazole and antacid medicines.
Eat smaller and more frequent meals. Avoid foods that trigger acidity, such as fatty and fried foods, spicy foods, carbonated drinks, and alcohol. Include non-citrus fruits, vegetables, lean meat, oatmeal, whole-grain bread, and rice in your diet. Do not lie down immediately after eating, and avoid vigorous exercise for at least a couple of hours afterwards.
Yes, it is safe to take painkillers along with Pantoprazole if advised by the doctor. To prevent stomach upset, painkillers can be taken with or just after a meal.
Pantoprazole should be swallowed as a whole with water; do not crush, break or chew it. Pantoprazole should be taken 30-60 minutes before meal.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is time for the scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose. Take your next regular dose at the usual time.
In some people, Pantoprazole may cause side effects such as headaches, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, flatulence, dizziness, and arthralgia (joint pain). Most of these side effects are temporary and usually resolve over time. However, if any side effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor.
