Pantoprazole

Pantoprazole sodium ("pantoprazole") is a prescription drug used to treat conditions such as pathological hypersecretory diseases, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erosive esophagitis. Marketed under the brand name Protonix, pantoprazole reduces the amount of acid in your stomach. Pantoprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Examples of common side effects associated with pantoprazole include headache, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.

 

What Is Pantoprazole?

Pantoprazole sodium -- pantoprazole for short -- is a prescription medication that is used to treat a number of conditions within the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Pantoprazole is sold under the brand name Protonix®.
 

Who Manufactures Pantoprazole?

Brand-name pantoprazole is manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Generic pantoprazole is made by various manfacturers (see Generic Protonix).
 

Uses of Pantoprazole

Pantoprazole is licensed to treat a number of conditions, which include:
 
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Erosive esophagitis
  • Pathological hypersecretory diseases (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
     

How Does Pantoprazole Work?

Pantoprazole is part of a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Pantoprazole works by decreasing the amount of acid in your stomach by blocking the acid production sites.
 

Effects of Pantoprazole

Pantoprazole reduces the amount of acid in your stomach, which helps heartburn and other GERD symptoms go away. A decrease in the amount of stomach acid will give the esophagus, the stomach, and the intestines time to heal.
 

Pantoprazole: When and How Do I Take It?

Some general considerations for when and how to take pantoprazole include the following:
 
  • Pantoprazole comes in tablets and in oral granule packets. It is usually taken once or twice a day.

 

  • You can take pantoprazole tablets with or without food. Pantoprazole granules should be taken 30 minutes before a meal.

 

  • Do not split, chew, or crush pantoprazole tablets.

 

  • Pantoprazole suspension comes as dry granules in individual packets. The contents of one packet should be sprinkled on a spoonful of applesauce or mixed with a teaspoon of apple juice. These mixtures should be taken immediately. If you take it in apple juice, rinse the glass with more apple juice and drink the rinse (to make sure you get the full dose).
     
  • Do not mix pantoprazole granules in anything other than applesauce or apple juice.
     
  • Pantoprazole granules can also be given through a nasogastric feeding tube (ask your healthcare provider about the best way to do this).

 

  • Take pantoprazole at the same time(s) each day. This will help to maintain an even level of pantoprazole in your system.
     
  • For pantoprazole to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Pantoprazole will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Pantoprazole: Dosing

The dose of Pantoprazole medication recommended by your healthcare provider will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be taking.
     
Do not adjust your dose unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider to do so.
 
(Click Pantoprazole Dosing for more information about recommended dosages of pantoprazole.)
 

Side Effects of Pantoprazole

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects associated with pantoprazole. Not everyone who takes the drug will experience pantoprazole side effects. In most cases, side effects of pantoprazole are minor, meaning that they require no treatment or are easily treated by your healthcare provider.
 
Common side effects of pantoprazole include (but are not limited to):
 
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Flatulence
  • Abdominal pain
  • Insomnia
  • Rash
  • Burping
  • High sugar levels in the blood (hyperglycemia)
  • Vomiting.
     
(Click Side Effects of Pantoprazole to learn more about side effects of pantoprazole.)
 

Drug Interactions Involving Pantoprazole

Pantoprazole potentially has a number of medicines with which it may interact.
 
(Click Pantoprazole Drug Interactions for more information about pantoprazole and these other medicines.)
 

What to Tell Your Doctor Before Taking Pantoprazole

Before taking pantoprazole, let your healthcare provider know if you:
 
  • Have liver disease or liver failure
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Have allergies.
     
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Pantoprazole Precautions and Warnings for more information on this topic, including information on who should not take pantoprazole.)
 

Pantoprazole: Overdose

There have been a limited number of cases of people overdosing on pantoprazole. Therefore, the pantoprazole overdose symptoms are not well known. If you happen to overdose on pantoprazole, seek medical attention immediately.
 

How Should Pantoprazole Be Stored?

Pantoprazole should be stored at room temperature in an airtight container. It is important to keep pantoprazole and all medications out of the reach of children.
 

Pantoprazole: What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your pantoprazole as scheduled, take your next scheduled dose at its regular time. Never take a double dose!
 

Pantoprazole: Strengths

Pantoprazole comes in a number of strengths, which include:
 
  • Protonix 20 mg tablets
  • Protonix 40 mg tablets
  • Protonix for oral suspension (individual packets of Protonix granules, containing 40 mg of Protonix per package).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;