Pantoprazole: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Pantoprazole?

What is Pantoprazole for?

Pantoprazole is a drug to treat various stomach and esophageal problems caused by stomach acid. The way it works is by reducing the production of stomach acid in your stomach. Pantoprazole belongs to the class of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs.

Pantoprazole can relieve symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and a prolonged cough. This medication also helps restore damage to the stomach and esophagus caused by stomach acid, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent esophageal cancer.

The dosage of pantoprazole and the side effects of pantoprazole are described further below.

What are the rules for taking Pantoprazole?

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once every day. The dosage is always given based on your health condition and how you respond to therapy.

If you are taking the tablet, you can use it with or without food. The tablet must be swallowed whole. Do not split or crush the tablet. If done, it can spoil the medicine.

If you are using powder medicine (granules / powder), take the medicine 30 minutes before eating. To consume it, open the package and mix the powder in applesauce or apple juice. Do not mix it with other foods or liquids. Don't crush or chew the granules. Mix the granules with 1 tsp (5mm) of applesauce and swallow everything immediately (within 10 minutes). Follow with a little water. Or you can mix it with 1 tsp (5mm) of apple juice in a small glass, stir for 5 seconds, and swallow everything right away. To make sure you are using the entire dose, rinse the cup once or twice with apple juice to mix up any remaining granules and swallow the juice. Do not prepare the mixture if you are not going to drink it right away.

If you are taking this form of granular medicine through a tube into the stomach (nasogastric or gastric tube), ask your professional nurse for detailed instructions on how to mix and administer it properly.

If needed, antacids can be used at the same time as this medicine. If you are also taking sucralfate, take pantoprazole at least 30 minutes before sucralfate.

Use this remedy regularly for the best benefits. To help remember, use this medication at the same time each day. Continue to use this medication for the duration of the treatment given even if you feel better.

How is Pantoprazole stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Pantoprazole dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Pantoprazole for adults?

Pantoprazole dosage for esophageal (esophageal) erosion:

• Take 40 mg once daily for up to 8 weeks; however an additional 8 weeks may be considered for patients who do not recover after initial treatment. Safety and efficacy beyond 16 weeks of therapy have not been established.
• Maintenance dose: take pantoprazole 40 mg once daily. Controlled studies were limited to 12 months of pantoprazole therapy.

Pantoprazole dosage for stomach acid reflux

• Seniors: 40 mg once daily for 7-10 days, given by deep intravenous infusion for 15 minutes. Intravenous therapy should be discontinued as soon as the patient is able to continue oral drug therapy.
• Oral: take 40 mg once a day, short-term treatment (up to 8 weeks); however an additional 8 weeks may be considered for patients who have not recovered after initial treatment. Safety and efficacy beyond 16 weeks of therapy have not been established.

Pantoprazole dose for duodenal ulcers

Take 40 mg once daily, the dose is increased every 12 weeks with 40 mg gradually up to a maximum of 120 mg per day, for 28 weeks. Data have revealed that monotherapy with a daily dose of 40 mg has been associated with complete healing of duodenal ulcers in 87% and 94% of patients after 4-8 weeks, respectively.

Pantoprazole dosage for stomach ulcers

Take 40 mg once a day. Data have revealed that monotherapy with a daily dose of 40 mg has been associated with complete healing of gastric ulcers in 87% and 94% of patients after 4-8 weeks, respectively.

Pantoprazole dosage for Helicobacter Pylori infection

Take 40 mg twice daily for 7 days, generally in conjunction with clarithromycin and also amoxicillin or metronidazole to eradicate helicobacter pylori, followed by taking 40 mg of pantoprazole once daily until day 28. Three therapies resulted in greater than 95% eradication.

Pantoprazole dosage for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

• Seniors: 80 mg every 12 hours, given intravenously for 15 minutes. Daily doses of more than 240 mg given in the same dose as 15 minutes infusion, or given over 6 days have not been studied.
• Oral: 40 mg twice daily, up to a maximum of 240 mg per day. Some patients have received treatment with pantoprazole for more than 2 years.

Pantoprazole dosage for peptic ulcer

80 mg twice daily, as a bolus infusion for up to about 15 minutes, for a maximum daily dose of 240 mg, divided into three equal doses.

What is the dosage of Pantoprazole for children?

Safety and effectiveness have not been established in patients under age (less than 18 years)

In what dosage is Pantoprazole available?

Tablets: 20 mg; 40 mg

Pantoprazole side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Pantoprazole?

Common side effects of pantoprazole are:

• Change in body weight
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Stomach ache and gas
• Dizziness, fatigue, feeling tired
• Joint pain
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

Stop using pantoprazole and contact your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of magnesium deficiency, such as:

• Fast or unusual heartbeat
• Jolting muscle movements
• Feel restless
• Bloody or watery diarrhea
• Muscle cramps, muscle weakness, or a feeling of weakness
• Cough or feel choking
• Headache, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, weakness, loss of appetite, feeling shaky, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizures, or shallow breathing

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you are concerned about the side effects please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Pantoprazole Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Pantoprazole?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of pantoprazole in pediatric patients. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Elderly

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of pantoprazole in elderly patients.

Is Pantoprazole safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using pantoprazole in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Pantoprazole Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Pantoprazole?

Taking this drug with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may not prescribe this medicine to you or will replace some of the drugs you are already taking.

• Rilpivirine

Using this medication with some of the medicines below is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Atazanavir
• Bosutinib
• Citalopram
• Dabrafenib
• Dasatinib
• Erlotinib
• Eslicarbazepine Acetate
• Ketoconazole
• Ledipasvir
• Methotrexate
• Mycophenolate Mofetil
• Nelfinavir
• Nilotinib
• Pazopanib
• Saquinavir
• Topotecan
• Vismodegib

Taking this medication with the drugs below may increase your risk of side effects, but in some cases, a combination of these two drugs may be the best treatment. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Cranberry
• Levothyroxine
• Warfarin

Can food or alcohol interact with Pantoprazole?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Pantoprazole?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Diarrhea
• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) has a history of, or
• Osteoporosis (problem bones), or
• History of seizures — Use with caution. May cause the condition to worsen

Pantoprazole overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.