Pantoprazole (Protonix) (pan toe' pra zole) Brand names  Protonix® Why is this medication prescribed?  Pantoprazole is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and injury of the food pipe (esophagus). It is also used to treat conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Pantoprazole is in a class of medications called proton-pump inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach. How should this medicine be used?   Pantoprazole comes as a delayed-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. To help you remember to take pantoprazole, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take pantoprazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Continue to take pantoprazole even if you feel well. Do not stop taking pantoprazole without talking to your doctor. Other uses for this medicine   Return to top This medicine may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. What special precautions should I follow?    Before taking pantoprazole, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pantoprazole or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: ampicillin (Omnipen, Polycillin, Totacillin); ketoconazole (Nizoral); and vitamins containing iron. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking pantoprazole, call your doctor. What special dietary instructions should I follow?   Return to top Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. What should I do if I forget a dose?   Return to top Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. What side effects can this medication cause?   Pantoprazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: diarrhea headache stomach pain gas or bloating Pantoprazole may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?   Return to top Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication. In case of emergency/overdose   Return to top In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. What other information should I know?   Return to top Keep all appointments with your doctor. Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking pantoprazole. Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. Brand names   Return to top Protonix®   Last Revised - 07/01/2003 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer The MedMaster™ Patient Drug Information database provides information copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland Copyright© 2007. All Rights Reserved. Home | Health Topics | Drugs & Supplements | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Quality Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services Page last updated: 26 September 2007Pantoprazole (pan toe' pra zole) Contents of this page: Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose?  What side effects can this medication cause? What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know? Brand names Why is this medication prescribed?   Return to top Pantoprazole is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and injury of the food pipe (esophagus). It is also used to treat conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Pantoprazole is in a class of medications called proton-pump inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach. How should this medicine be used?   Return to top Pantoprazole comes as a delayed-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. To help you remember to take pantoprazole, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take pantoprazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Continue to take pantoprazole even if you feel well. Do not stop taking pantoprazole without talking to your doctor. Other uses for this medicine   Return to top This medicine may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. What special precautions should I follow?   Return to top Before taking pantoprazole, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to pantoprazole or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: ampicillin (Omnipen, Polycillin, Totacillin); ketoconazole (Nizoral); and vitamins containing iron. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking pantoprazole, call your doctor. What special dietary instructions should I follow?   Return to top Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. What should I do if I forget a dose?   Return to top Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. What side effects can this medication cause?   Return to top Pantoprazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: diarrhea headache stomach pain gas or bloating Pantoprazole may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?   Return to top Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication. In case of emergency/overdose   Return to top In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. What other information should I know?   Return to top Keep all appointments with your doctor. Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking pantoprazole. Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.