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Pantoprazole

Brand Names

; Protonix®

Therapeutic Categories

Proton Pump Inhibitor

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to pantoprazole or any other part of the medicine.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat irritation in the esophagus (the swallowing pipe) caused by acid from the stomach.

How does it work?

• Pantoprazole decreases the amount of acid in the stomach. This allows the irritation to heal.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Swallow tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Take at a similar time everyday.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• No alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can worsen symptoms of irritated esophagus.
• Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Can worsen symptoms of irritated esophagus.
• Ask healthcare provider about using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Diarrhea.
• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Belly pain.

What should I monitor?

• Change in symptoms. Are they better, worse, or about the same?
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
• Blood in the stool and toilet bowl or vomiting blood.
• Severe diarrhea.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition after or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).