Pantoprazole
About
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 ulcer, Zollinger Ellison syndrome (overproduction of acid due to pancreatic tumour), duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer and Crohn’s Disease-associated Ulcers.
Pantoprazole helps in reducing stomach acid by blocking the actions of an enzyme (H+/K+ ATPase or 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 like headache, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, flatulence, dizziness, and arthralgia (joint pain). These side effects are temporary and may be resolved after some time. However, if these side effects persist, please contact the 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
Medicinal Benefits
Pantoprazole is effective at healing erosive esophagitis (inflammation of food pipe), relieving symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer 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 kidney and liver disease patients.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Pantoprazole
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Flatulence
- Dizziness
- Arthralgia (joint pain)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
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, pregnant or planning for pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers. Pantoprazole may interact with a blood thinner (warfarin), antifungal (ketoconazole), anti-HIV drug (atazanavir, nelfinavir), iron supplements, ampicillin antibiotic, 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 anti-depressant. This plant may affect the working of Pantoprazole. So avoid its intake with Pantoprazole.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Pantoprazole should not be given in 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 intake of acid or heartburn-triggering foods or drinks like onions, peppermint, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes and high-fat 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 not allow the stomach acid to backflow through 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, berries, cherries, leafy green veggies (kale, spinach) and black peppers in your meal. These foods are full of antioxidants, calcium and vitamin B12 that can help cope with 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. Pyroli infection.
- Avoid regular sitting continuously, as it can increase stomach acid production. Try to take a break of 5 minutes in 1 hour by brisk walking or stretching.
Special Advise
- Individuals at risk for osteoporosis-related fractures should receive an adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D.
- Regular monitoring of vitamin B-12 is necessary, as it rarely causes vitamin B-12 deficiency. The risk is increased if they are taken every day for a long time.
- Pantoprazole may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including urine tests for a tetrahydrocannabinol-THC blood test to find certain tumors), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you are using Pantoprazole.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Normally, a thick mucous 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, peptic ulcer is a painful condition followed by the development of sores or ulcers in the stomach lining or duodenum (first part of the small intestine) (the duodenum). Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare condition in which a gastrin-secreting tumor of the pancreas causes excessive acid production leading to peptic ulcers.
FAQs
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 you. Pantoprazole is only indicated for the treatment of hyperacidity, acid reflux symptoms (GERD), heartburn and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
No. Gas and acidity are two different common discomforts. Acidity is caused when improper functioning of the valve (sphincter) is located at the junction of the stomach and food pipe. As a result, stomach acid backflows and enters the upper part of the food pipe, causing heartburn. On the other hand, gas is the result of the digestion of food and drinks, eliminating gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen, methane, etc., from the body.
Yes. Pantoprazole can alter certain medical tests like neuroendocrine tumours (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 excess production of stomach acid, causing acid reflux and heartburn. If blood is coming in your stool or mucous, immediately contact the doctor.
