What is Protonix (Pantoprazole)?

Pantoprazole is in a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. It decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
Pantoprazole is used to treat erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid), and other conditions involving excess stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Pantoprazole is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.
Pantoprazole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Protonix (Pantoprazole)?

Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a general ill feeling.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to pantoprazole or to any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole (Albenza), or mebendazole (Vermox).
Pantoprazole is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.
Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.
Pantoprazole should not be taken together with atazanavir (Reyataz) or nelfinavir (Viracept). Tell your doctor if you are taking either of these medications to treat HIV or AIDS.
Some conditions must be treated long-term with pantoprazole. The chronic use of pantoprazole has caused stomach cancer in animal studies, but it is not known if this medication would have the same effects in humans. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of developing stomach cancer.
Long-term treatment with pantoprazole may also make it harder for your body to absorb vitamin B-12, resulting in a deficiency of this vitamin. Talk with your doctor if you need long-term pantoprazole treatment and you have concerns about vitamin B-12 deficiency.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Protonix (Pantoprazole)?

Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a general ill feeling.
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to pantoprazole or to any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole (Albenza), or mebendazole (Vermox).
Some conditions must be treated long-term with pantoprazole. The chronic use of pantoprazole has caused stomach cancer in animal studies, but it is not known if this medication would have the same effects in humans. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of developing stomach cancer.
Taking a proton pump inhibitor such as pantoprazole may increase your risk of bone fracture in the hip, wrist, or spine. This effect has occurred mostly in people who have taken the medication long term or at high doses, and in those who are age 50 and older. It is not clear whether pantoprazole is the actual cause of an increased risk of fracture. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia (low bone mineral density).
Long-term treatment with pantoprazole may also make it harder for your body to absorb vitamin B-12, resulting in a deficiency of this vitamin. Symptoms of a vitamin B-12 deficiency may develop slowly and include pale skin, weakness, tired feeling, shortness of breath, and a fast heart rate. Talk with your doctor if you need long-term pantoprazole treatment and you have concerns about vitamin B-12 deficiency.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Pantoprazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Protonix Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Protonix (Pantoprazole)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting
• gas, stomach pain
• diarrhea
• joint pain
• dizziness; or
• headache

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Protonix Interactions

What other drugs affect Protonix (Pantoprazole)?

Pantoprazole should not be taken together with atazanavir (Reyataz) or nelfinavir (Viracept). Tell your doctor if you are taking either of these medications to treat HIV or AIDS.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen)
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• clopidogrel (Plavix)
• ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal); or
• iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others)

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with pantoprazole. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Protonix (Pantoprazole)?

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Protonix Dosage

How should I take Protonix (Pantoprazole)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Pantoprazole tablets can be taken with or without food. Pantoprazole oral granules should be taken 30 minutes before a meal.
Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. Swallow it whole. The enteric-coated pill has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill will damage this coating.
The oral granules should be mixed only with applesauce or apple juice to make swallowing easy. Do not use any other type of liquid or soft food. Sprinkle the granules directly onto a teaspoon of applesauce and swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Or pour the granules into a cup with 1 teaspoon of apple juice, stir for 5 seconds and swallow right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more apple juice to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away. Do not save the granule mixture for later use.
To give pantoprazole granules through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube:

• Attach a 60-milliliter syringe to the NG tube and remove the plunger. Hold the syringe high enough to prevent any bends in the tube
• Sprinkle the pantoprazole granules into the syringe barrel and mix in 2 teaspoons of apple juice. Gently tap or shake the syringe as it empties into the tube
• Add another 2 teaspoons of apple juice to the syringe to help rinse the granules through and to make sure the entire pantoprazole dose is given. Tap or shake the syringe as the juice empties into the tube
• Repeat the rinse with 2 teaspoons of apple sauce at least twice more, gently shaking the syringe as it empties into the tube. Make sure there are no granules remaining in the syringe or NG tube

This medication can cause you to have a false positive drug-screening test. If you provide a urine sample for drug-screening, tell the laboratory staff that you are taking pantoprazole.
Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse while you are taking this medicine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Protonix (Pantoprazole)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What happens if I miss a dose of Protonix (Pantoprazole)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com