Pantoprazole

Pantoprazole is a medication that lowers the amount of stomach acid you have. It can help with acid-related gastric conditions such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, and GORD (gastroesophageal reflux disorder).

It is also (although less commonly) used to treat a condition called Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, a rare type of digestive disorder.

Pantoprazole is a ‘proton pump inhibitor’. This is a class of medication that lowers stomach acid levels by inhibiting (or stopping) certain enzymes in the lining of the stomach from producing acid.

Pantoprazole comes in tablet form. Lower-strength 20 mg tablets are available for purchase over the counter. You can get stronger 40 mg tablets with a doctor’s prescription only.

Dosage instructions

The usual dosage instructions for different conditions are as follows:

• Heartburn: 20 mg daily, for as long as your doctor recommends.
• Stomach ulcers: 40 mg daily for 4 weeks, or delivered via intravenous injection.
• GORD: 40 mg once daily for 4-8 weeks.
• Functional dyspepsia (an upset stomach): 20 mg daily for up to 4 weeks.
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: 80 mg daily for as long as your doctor recommends. Medicine can also be delivered via intravenous injection.

You should always take your medication as advised by your doctor. If their dosage instructions differ from that stated above, then please disregard the usual recommendations.

Administration guideline

Pantoprazole should be taken 1 hour before a meal. Do not chew or break the tablets - they should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.

If you take more Pantoprazole than you should, tell your pharmacist or doctor.

Never make up for a missed dose by double dosing (taking two doses in a row). Simply wait until your next dose is due and continue taking your treatment as normal.

Precautions

Pantoprazole is safe for the majority of people to take. However, you should not take this medication if:

• you are allergic to Pantoprazole or any of the other ingredients found in this medicine
• you are allergic to any medicines that contain a different type of proton pump inhibitor

Before taking Pantoprazole, you must tell your doctor if:

• you have (or have had) bad liver problems
• you have low or reduced vitamin B12 levels
• you are taking an HIV medication called Atazanavir

Any of these health problems or medications might mean that Pantoprazole is not safe for you to take.

Warnings

If you’re taking Pantoprazole for more than 3 months, please note that the magnesium levels in your blood can fall. Symptoms of low magnesium include:

• fatigue
• convulsions
• involuntary muscle movements
• increased heart rate
• dizziness
• convulsions

Report to your doctor immediately if you experience any of the above during your treatment.

If you are planning on taking Pantoprazole for more than a year, there may be an increased risk of hip, wrist or spine fractures (especially if you are elderly).

While taking this treatment, tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following:

• unintentional weight loss
• repeated vomiting
• difficulty swallowing
• vomiting blood
• feeling weak and having a pale complexion
• there’s blood in your stools
• repeated diarrhoea

You should also discontinue the use of your treatment and await your doctor’s instructions.

Some medications shouldn’t be taken with Pantoprazole as it can put you at risk or stop the medicines from working properly. Your doctor must know if you are taking:

• antifungal medicines (such as Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, or Posaconazole)
• a specific type of cancer medication known as Erlotinib
• Warfarin or Phenprocoumon (which affects the thinning or thickening of the blood)

Remember to tell your doctor about any medications you are taking during your consultation, even if they are over-the-counter medicines.

As is the case with all medicines, there’s a chance that you’ll experience side effects while taking Pantoprazole.

It’s normal to experience side effects. They are usually mild and go away once you stop taking treatment.

Allergic reactions and how to respond

In very rare cases, it’s possible to experience a serious reaction to Pantoprazole.

Stop treatment and make your way to the nearest hospital immediately if you experience any of the following warning signs:

• swelling of the tongue and/or throat
• difficulty swallowing
• difficulty breathing
• hives
• facial swelling
• severe dizziness
• a fast heartbeat accompanied by sweating

Always ask for your doctor’s advice before starting a new medication during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

There is currently little scientific research on the effects of Pantoprazole on pregnant women and their babies. What we do know is that Pantoprazole can be passed into the breastmilk, which is a potential risk factor.

The question of its safety is up to your doctor to decide. However, due to the lack of research, it isn’t generally recommended.

If you don’t want to take Pantoprazole, you can try an alternative proton pump inhibitor (PPI) called Omeprazole.

Omeprazole is more commonly used to treat heartburn and indigestion. It is available in lower doses and can be purchased over the counter.

Other PPIs include:

• Lansoprazole
• Rabeprazole
• Esomeprazole

Lower doses of Pantoprazole can be purchased over the counter from your local pharmacy. To buy 40 mg tablets, you must get a prescription from a doctor. This can be your local GP or a doctor from an online healthcare provider.

Ordering online

You can order Pantoprazole online here at HealthExpress. Simply answer the questions in our online medical quiz to complete your consultation. Your answers will then be reviewed by one of our registered doctors.

If you are approved for treatment, your order will be sent straight to your door with free next-day delivery. All of our products are sent in discreet packaging.

Prescriptions

You can also get a prescription from your local doctor. The easiest way of doing this is to book an appointment and visit your GP in person. They can then best prescribe you medication based on your symptoms.

It’s always best to consult a medical professional before taking new medication. That way, you’re more likely to be taking the correct type of medicine and the correct dosage.