Pantoprazole works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medication is known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It is used to treat acid-related stomach and throat (esophagus) problems such as acid reflux (GERD), erosive esophagitis, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Decreasing extra stomach acid can help relieve symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, persistent cough, and trouble sleeping. It can also prevent serious acid damage to your digestive system (e.g., ulcers, cancer of the esophagus).

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This medication may also be used to treat stomach or intestinal ulcers. In addition, it may be used with antibiotics to treat certain types of ulcers caused by bacteria.

Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the medication whole. Do not split, crush, or chew the medication. Doing so may destroy the drug and prevent it from treating your condition. If you are using the tablets, you may take them with or without food. If you are using the granules, take them 30 minutes before a meal.

Mix the granules into apple juice or applesauce. Do not use other liquids or foods to mix this medication. Sprinkle the granules on 1 teaspoon of applesauce and swallow all of the mixture immediately (within 10 minutes). Or mix the granules into 1 teaspoon of apple juice, stir for 5 seconds, and swallow all of the mixture immediately. Rinse the container once or twice with apple juice to remove any remaining granules, and swallow the rinsing juice immediately. Do not crush or chew the granules in either mixture. Do not prepare a supply in advance.

The granules may also be given through a tube into the stomach (nasogastric or gastric tube). If you are giving this medication through a tube, consult your health care professional for detailed instructions on how to properly mix and give it.

You may take an antacid with this medication, if needed.

The dosage and length of treatment is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same time each day. Continue to take this medication for the whole time prescribed by your doctor, even if you are feeling better.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or stomach/abdominal pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: signs of increased blood sugar levels (e.g., increased thirst, increased urination, confusion).

If you have been taking this drug for a long time (more than 3 years), tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: signs of low levels of vitamin B12 (e.g., unusual weakness, sore tongue, numbness or tingling of the hands/feet).

A serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking pantoprazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (e.g., lansoprazole, omeprazole); or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: severe liver disease, poorly controlled diabetes, other stomach problems (e.g., tumors).

Some symptoms may actually be signs of a more serious condition. Tell your doctor immediately if you have: heartburn combined with lightheadedness/sweating/dizziness, chest pain or shoulder/jaw pain (especially with trouble breathing), pain spreading to arms/neck/shoulders, unexplained weight loss.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Pantoprazole passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Therefore, breast-feeding is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because a very serious interaction may occur: atazanavir, nelfinavir.

If you are currently using either of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting pantoprazole.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: warfarin.

Some products need stomach acid so that the body can absorb them properly (such as ampicillin, iron supplements, calcium supplements, dasatinib, azole antifungals including ketoconazole). Pantoprazole decreases stomach acid, so it may change how well these other products work. Before using pantoprazole, consult your doctor or pharmacist about the other medications you take and for advice on how to reduce or avoid these types of interactions.

This medication may affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., urine test for tetrahydrocannabinol-THC). Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store the US product at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted.

Store the Canadian product between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) in the recommended packaging.

Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised October 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.