Pantoprazole is a gastric medicine.
It is used to treat conditions caused by excessive acidity in your stomach, such as ulcers in the stomach or duodenum (upper portion of the small intestine), reflux disease (also known as "heartburn", in which food or acid from your stomach backs up into your mouth, leaving a sour or bitter taste) and hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a condition in which a growth in the pancreas or duodenum or both secretes too much acid).
This medicine can also be used to relieve stomach irritation and ulceration caused by certain painkillers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Pantoprazole treats these conditions by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Pantoprazole exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about whether you should take Pantoprazole with or without food. Certain preparations (e.g. delayed-release tablets) of this medicine must be taken before meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
If you are taking the delayed-release type of tablet, swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the dosage and course of your treatment depending on your condition.
Continue taking Pantoprazole even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Pantoprazole with rilpivirine or atazanavir (medicine for HIV infection).
Do not take Pantoprazole for a long period of time as it may slightly increase your risk of fracture in the hip, wrist or spine. Inform your doctor if you have osteoporosis (soft, brittle bones).
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Children who are poor metaboliser of CYP2C19 may respond poorer to this medicine and may require dose adjustment. Although not routinely done, the doctor may advise the child to take genetic testing to check if Pantoprazole is suited to be used as a medication treatment.
Inform your doctor if you get a rash on your skin, especially in areas exposed to the sun.
If your gastric problem seems to be getting worse, let your doctor know.
If you are going for certain laboratory tests (e.g. urea breath test, Chromogranin A), inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. You may need to have routine blood tests (magnesium level) to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Pantoprazole may cause dizziness or visual disturbances. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and wind in the stomach.
Some side effects may be serious, although they are not common. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience:
- rashes with skin peeling or blisters
- severe stomach pain or cramps, loose, watery or bloody stools, or severe diarrhoea
- signs of low levels of magnesium e.g. muscle cramps, pain or weakness, seizures, tremors, or abnormal heartbeat
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Pantoprazole with medicine for HIV infection e.g. rilpivirine or atazanavir.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, clopidogrel
- medicines for fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole
- medicines for cancer e.g. erlotinib, methotrexate
- digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Pantoprazole.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
It may be helpful to discuss your diet with your doctor or dietitian. A change in diet may help improve your symptoms. For example, spicy food tends to worsen reflux and should be avoided. Likewise, carbonated ("fizzy") drinks such as soft drinks should also be avoided.
You should also try to avoid lying down soon after eating as this will worsen the reflux symptoms.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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