Pantoprazole Usage

Pantoprazole is used in the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers.

How Pantoprazole works

Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It works by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach which helps in relief of acid-related indigestion and heartburn.

Common side effects of Pantoprazole

Nausea, Headache, Abdominal pain, Constipation, Flatulence, Diarrhoea

Expert advice for Pantoprazole

• Inform your doctor if you do not feel better after taking it for 14 days as you may be suffering from some other problem that needs attention.
• Pantoprazole can decrease magnesium levels in blood. Get your magnesium levels checked regularly. You may need a magnesium supplement or need to discontinue your medicine. 
• Inform your doctor if you are suffering from osteoporosis as Pantoprazole can weaken your bones by decreasing calcium levels in blood. You may need a calcium supplement, preferably calcium citrate.
• Pantoprazole is a well-tolerated medicine and provides relief for a long time.
• It may take a few days to show its effect. You can take an antacid for a quick relief during this time unless your doctor has asked you not to use them.
• Once you start feeling better, do not stop taking your medicine. Take it for the duration as advised by your doctor

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Q. What is Pantoprazole used for?
Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) which is used for the treatment of conditions like heartburn, acid regurgitation, and stomach ulcers.

Ques. Q. Is Pantoprazole an antacid?
No, Pantoprazole is not an antacid, it belongs to a therapeutic group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. It acts by decreasing acid secretion in the stomach while antacids neutralize the acid in the stomach and coat the stomach mucosa.

Ques. Q. Is Pantoprazole safe?
Pantoprazole is relatively safe if taken in prescribed dose for prescribed duration as advised by your doctor

Ques. Q. Is Pantoprazole a painkiller?
No, Pantoprazole is not a painkiller. It is a proton pump inhibitor which is used for the treatment of conditions like heartburn, acid regurgitation, and stomach ulcers.

Ques. Q. Is Pantoprazole a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)?
Yes, Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) which inhibits the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Ques. Q. Can I take Pantoprazole forever?
Pantoprazole should not be taken for a long time unless there is an indication for the medicine. Though generally safe, certain conditions like low magnesium levels and fractures are associated with long-term use. Consult your doctor before continuing the drug for a long time as you may need to get some tests done on a regular basis.

Ques. Q. Can I take Pantoprazole with ondansetron?
No relevant interactions have been reported between Pantoprazole and ondansetron. Consult your doctor before taking them together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Pantoprazole with azithromycin?
No clinically relevant interactions have been reported between Pantoprazole and azithromycin so far. Consult your doctor before taking these drugs together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Pantoprazole with Ibuprofen?
There are no interactions reported between Pantoprazole and ibuprofen when used together. However, you must consult your doctor before taking them together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Pantoprazole with ranitidine?
Both Pantoprazole and ranitidine work by lowering the acid secretion in the stomach for stomach ulcers and heartburn. There are no interactions reported between ranitidine and Pantoprazole if used together. However, studies have also shown no additional benefit in using ranitidine along with Pantoprazole. Please Consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Pantoprazole with amoxicillin?
No clinically relevant interaction has been reported between Pantoprazole Pantoprazole and amoxicillin. Please check with your doctor before taking these medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Pantoprazole with antibiotics?
Various studies comparing the use of Pantoprazole while the patients were also taking different antibiotics revealed no clinically relevant interactions. However, always consult your doctor before taking Pantoprazole along with antibiotics.

Ques. Q. Can I take Pantoprazole with levothyroxine?
Absorption (time to reach blood) of levothyroxine may be delayed if it is taken with Pantoprazole. Consult your doctor before taking both the medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Pantoprazole with other medications?
Pantoprazole can generally be taken safely with other drugs. But there are certain medications like anti-HIV drugs and anticoagulants which can have interaction with Pantoprazole and thus should not be combined or should be closely monitored when given together. Please consult your doctor if you need to take Pantoprazole with other medications.

Ques. Q. Can I take Pantoprazole with ciprofloxacin?
There are no interactions reported between Pantoprazole and ciprofloxacin. However, this does not mean interactions cannot occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Ques. Q. Does Pantoprazole cause hair loss?
Hair loss has not been reported with the use of Pantoprazole. If you experience excessive hair loss while taking Pantoprazole, please consult your doctor.

Ques. Q. Does Pantoprazole cause constipation?
Both diarrhea and constipation have been reported as a common side effects of Pantoprazole in children and in adults. Consult your doctor if you experience intolerable side effects while taking Pantoprazole.

Ques. Q. Does Pantoprazole cause weight gain?
Change in weight has been associated with Pantoprazole. Consult your doctor if you have weight gain or weight loss during Pantoprazole use.

Ques. Q. Does Pantoprazole cause dry mouth?
Dry mouth has been reported as a side effect with Pantoprazole. Kindly consult your doctor if you have this problem while taking Pantoprazole.

Ques. Q. Does Pantoprazole cause gas?
Flatulence (gas), abdominal distension, and bloating (fullness) have been associated with Pantoprazole use. Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Ques. Q. Does Pantoprazole cause dementia?
Dementia has not been reported with Pantoprazole use. Consult your doctor if you have any symptoms of dementia.

Ques. Q. Does Pantoprazole cause diarrhea?
Diarrhea is one of the most commonly occurring side effects with the use of Pantoprazole. Do consult your doctor if you have any such symptom.

Ques. Q. Does Pantoprazole expire?
Yes, like any other medicine, Pantoprazole has an expiry date. Please check the expiry date mentioned on the pack before taking the medicine.

Ques. Q. Does Pantoprazole contain aluminum or magnesium?
Pantoprazole does not commonly contain aluminum or magnesium as an excipient (additional substance) or as a coating. Please read the package insert available with the medicine for further information.