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What is Pantoprazole Used For?

Pantoprazole is a type of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication, which blocks acid production in the stomach. It is available in generic form and as the brand Protonix, and is similar to the drugs Prevacid and Prilosec. Doctors prescribe pantoprazole to treat disorders that stomach acid causes.

  1. Gastrointestinal Ulcers

    • Pantoprazole is effective at treating stomach and intestinal ulcers by reducing stomach acid and allowing the ulcers to heal. It also can be taken to prevent further ulcers.

    GERD

    • People commonly take pantoprazole for relief of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which stomach acid washes up into the esophagus and causes heartburn.

    Erosive Esophagitis

    • Chronic acid reflux can lead to erosive esophagitis, when the sensitive esophageal lining becomes damaged by the acid. Taking pantaprazole allows your body to heal, and pantaprazole use can prevent it from reoccurring.

    Excessive Acid Diseases

    • Doctors also prescribe pantoprazole to treat pathological hypersecretory diseases such as Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, which results in excessive stomach acid production.

    Bacterial Infection

    • Pantoprazole also is prescribed along with antibiotics to treat bacterial Helicobacter pylori infections in the gastrointestinal system.

    Stress-Related Mucosal Disease

    • Pantoprazole shows promise for the off-label use of treating stress-related mucosal disease (SRMD). This condition sometimes occurs in critically ill patients because of medical or physical stress, and causes erosion of the stomach or intestinal lining. SRMD can be fatal.

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