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Pantoprazole Prescribing Information

Pantoprazole is a prescription drug mostly used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition causes a backwards movement of acid from the stomach to the esophagus and wind pipe, which can potentially cause injury of these areas as well as heartburn. Pantoprazole is also marketed under the brand name Protonix.

  1. How It Works

    • Pantoprazole is in a class of prescription medications known as proton-pump inhibitors, according to MedlinePlus. The drug works to reduce the amount of acid production in the stomach, and can also be used to treat conditions where the stomach produces too much acid but does not cause GERD such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Pantoprazole is taken as an extended-release tablet, usually once or twice per day with or without food.

    Precautions

    • Some people should not take pantoprazole, according to MedlinePlus. Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing should avoid the drug. Medications such as vitamins with iron, Nizoral, and Ominpen may exacerbate possible side effects when taken with pantoprazole. However, such patients can usually still take the treatment but may need extra medical monitoring.

    Possible Side Effects

    • Pantoprazole does carry the possibility of side effects, but rarely causes life-threatening adverse reactions, according to MedlinePlus. Possible uncomfortable symptoms associated with the treatment are as follows: diarrhea, stomachache, gas, bloating, or headache. Severe incidences of any side effects, or any difficulty breathing or appearance of hives or itching, does require emergency medical intervention.

    Intravenous Treatment

    • Sometimes pantoprazole is administered intravenously, according to the Mayo Clinic. This usually happens in a hospital or clinic setting, and sometimes is used to help treat cancer. Because a needle is placed directly into a vein when using this method, additional side effects are possible. Accumulation of pus, soreness around the insertion site, scarring, soreness, and tingling at the site are all possible.

    Cost

    • Health insurance plans usually cover part or all of the cost of pantoprazole medication. The dollar amount the patient must pay depends upon his or her healthcare plan. Patient assistance programs are usually available for low-income individuals without adequate prescription coverage. As of September 2009, the cash pay price for 30 20 mg pantoprazole tablets was about $110. Brand name Protonix cosst approximately $140 for 30 40 mg pills.

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