Pantoprazole: medicine to lower stomach acid

1. About pantoprazole

Pantoprazole reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes.

It’s used for heartburn, acid reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) – GORD is when you keep getting acid reflux. It’s also taken to prevent and treat stomach ulcers.

Sometimes, pantoprazole is taken for a rare condition caused by a tumour in the pancreas or gut called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Pantoprazole comes as tablets.

All types of pantoprazole are available on prescription. You can also buy lower-strength 20mg tablets from pharmacies for heartburn or acid reflux.

2. Key facts

• You’ll usually take pantoprazole once a day in the morning.
• The most common side effects are headaches and diarrhoea. These tend to be mild and go away when you stop taking the medicine.
• You should start to feel better in 2 to 3 days, but it may take up to 4 weeks for pantoprazole to fully control your symptoms.
• If you’ve bought pantoprazole without a prescription and your symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks, see a doctor before taking any more.
• Pantoprazole is not usually recommended during pregnancy.

3. Who can and cannot take pantoprazole

Adults and children aged 12 years and over can take pantoprazole.

Pantoprazole is not suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to pantoprazole or any other medicine
• have liver problems
• are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding
• are due to have an endoscopy

If you’re going to have an endoscopy, ask your doctor if you should stop taking pantoprazole a few weeks before your procedure. This is because pantoprazole may hide some of the problems that would usually be spotted during an endoscopy.

4. How and when to take pantoprazole

You’ll usually take pantoprazole once a day, first thing in the morning.

If you take pantoprazole twice a day, take 1 dose in the morning and 1 dose in the evening.

Dosage and strength

Each tablet contains 20mg or 40mg of pantoprazole.

You can buy pantoprazole 20mg tablets from pharmacies. These are suitable for the short-term treatment of heartburn and acid reflux in adults.

The usual dose to treat:

• heartburn and acid reflux is 20mg a day
• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is 20mg to 40mg a day
• stomach ulcers is 20mg to 40mg a day
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is 40mg to 80mg a day – this can increase to 160mg a day depending on how well it works for you

Doses are usually lower for people with liver problems.

How to take it

It’s best to take pantoprazole an hour before a meal. Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water.

Changes to your dose

Sometimes your doctor will increase your dose of pantoprazole if it’s not working well enough.

Depending on the reason you take pantoprazole, you may take a higher dose to begin with, usually for a month or 2. After this, your doctor may recommend that you take a lower dose.

How long to take it for

If you buy pantoprazole from a pharmacy, you can usually take it for up to 2 weeks.

After 2 weeks:

• if your symptoms have improved, you can take it for another 2 weeks
• if your symptoms have not improved or they are worse, speak to a doctor before taking any more pantoprazole

Do not take pantoprazole for more than 4 weeks without speaking to your doctor first. If your symptoms have not improved, you may need some tests to find out what’s causing them.

If you take pantoprazole on prescription, you may only need to take it for a few weeks or months, depending on your condition. Sometimes your doctor may advise you to take it for longer, even for many years.

Some people do not need to take pantoprazole every day and take it only when they have symptoms. Once you feel better (often after a few days or weeks), you can stop taking it.

Taking pantoprazole just on days when you have symptoms is not suitable for everyone. Speak to your doctor about what’s best for you.

If you forget to take it

If you usually take pantoprazole:

• once a day – take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is due in less than 12 hours in which case skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time
• twice a day – take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is due in less than 4 hours in which case skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time

Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

It is very unlikely that taking extra doses of pantoprazole will cause any problems. But if you’re concerned, contact your doctor.

5. Side effects

Most people who take pantoprazole do not have any side effects. If you do get a side effect, it is usually mild and will go away when you stop taking pantoprazole.

These side effects happen in 1 in 100 people. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

• headaches
• diarrhoea

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Call a doctor or contact 111 straight away if you have:

• joint pain along with a red skin rash, especially on parts of your body exposed to the sun, such as your arms, cheeks and nose (this may be less noticeable on brown or black skin) – these can be signs of a rare condition called subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. This can happen even if you’ve been taking pantoprazole for a long time
• stomach pain that gets worse, the whites of your eyes turn yellow or your skin turns yellow (this may be less obvious on brown or black skin), or dark pee – these can be signs of liver problems
• pain when you pee, peeing less than usual, lower back pain, swollen ankles, and rash or a high temperature – these can be signs of a kidney problem
• severe or persistent diarrhoea – this can be a sign of an inflamed bowel

Go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to pantoprazole.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

• you get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
• you’re wheezing
• you get tightness in the chest or throat
• you have trouble breathing or talking
• your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling

You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

These are not all the side effects of pantoprazole. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Information:

You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

Visit Yellow Card for further information.

6. How to cope with side effects of pantoprazole

What to do about:

• headaches – make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. It’s best not to drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches usually go away after the first week of taking pantoprazole. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.
• diarrhoea – drink plenty of water or squash by having small, frequent sips to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor. If diarrhoea does not get better, talk to your doctor.

7. Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pantoprazole and pregnancy

Pantoprazole is not usually recommended if you’re pregnant because there is little information about its use during pregnancy. Your doctor may recommend a similar medicine called omeprazole instead as there is more safety information available.

You may wish to try to treat your symptoms without taking medicine. You can try eating smaller meals more often, and avoiding fatty and spicy foods. Sit up straight when you eat, as this will take the pressure off your stomach.

If you get symptoms at night, you could prop your head and shoulders up when you go to bed. This helps to stop stomach acid coming up while you sleep.

Pantoprazole and breastfeeding

If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, it’s OK to take pantoprazole while you’re breastfeeding.

There is a little information available which shows that pantoprazole passes into breast milk in tiny amounts and your baby will not absorb a lot into their body from the breast milk.

It is unlikely that pantoprazole will cause any side effects in your baby.

Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you’re:

• trying to get pregnant
• pregnant
• breastfeeding

8. Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines and pantoprazole can affect each other and make you more likely to have side effects or stop one of the medicines working as well.

Tell your doctor if you’re taking any of these medicines before you start pantoprazole treatment:

• antifungal medicines such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole
• fluvoxamine, an antidepressant
• methotrexate, a medicine used to treat cancer, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis
• HIV medicines
• rifampicin, an antibiotic
• medicines that hep to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin

Mixing pantoprazole with herbal remedies and supplements

Do not take St John’s wort, the herbal remedy for depression, while you’re taking pantoprazole. St John’s wort may stop pantoprazole working as well as it should.

There’s not enough information to say that other complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with pantoprazole. They’re not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They’re generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Important:
Medicine safety

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.

9. Common questions about pantoprazole

How does pantoprazole work?

Pantoprazole is a type of medicine called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Proton pumps are enzymes in the lining of your stomach that help it make acid to digest your food.

Pantoprazole prevents proton pumps from working properly. This reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes.

When will I feel better?

You should start to feel better within 2 to 3 days. It may take up to 4 weeks for pantoprazole to work properly so you may still have some symptoms during this time.

If you bought pantoprazole without a prescription, and feel no better after 2 weeks, tell your doctor. They may want to do tests or change you to a different medicine.

Can I take pantoprazole for a long time?

If you’ve bought pantoprazole from a pharmacy without a prescription, do not take it for more than 4 weeks without speaking to your doctor.

If you take pantoprazole for more than 3 months, the levels of magnesium in your blood may fall.

Low magnesium can make you feel tired, confused and dizzy and cause muscle twitches, shakiness and an irregular heartbeat. If you get any of these symptoms, tell your doctor.

Taking pantoprazole for more than a year may increase your chances of certain side effects, including:

• bone fractures
• gut infections
• vitamin B12 deficiency – symptoms include feeling very tired, a sore and red tongue, mouth ulcers and pins and needles

If you take pantoprazole for longer than 1 year your doctor will regularly check your health to see if you should carry on taking it.

It’s not known if pantoprazole works less well the longer you take it. If you feel that it’s not working any more, talk to your doctor.

Does taking pantoprazole for a long time cause stomach cancer?

There is some information to suggest people taking medicines that reduce stomach acid, like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as pantoprazole and h3 blockers, might have a very small increased chance of developing stomach cancer. It could be more likely in people taking them for longer than 3 years.

But studies involving more people need to be done to be sure that PPIs and h3 blockers cause stomach cancer, rather than something else causing it.

PPIs, like most medicines, can have side effects so it’s best to take them for the shortest time possible.

And it’s important to speak to your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms which can be signs of stomach cancer:

• having problems swallowing (dysphagia)
• feeling or being sick
• feeling full very quickly when eating
• losing weight without trying to

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re concerned.

How do I stop taking pantoprazole?

Usually, you can stop taking pantoprazole without reducing the dose first.

But if you’ve taken pantoprazole for a long time, speak to your doctor before you stop taking it. Stopping suddenly could make your stomach produce a lot more acid, and make your symptoms come back.

Reducing the dose gradually before stopping completely will prevent this happening.

Are there similar medicines?

There are 4 other medicines that are similar to pantoprazole:

• lansoprazole
• omeprazole
• esomeprazole
• rabeprazole

Like pantoprazole, these medicines are proton pump inhibitors. They work in the same way to reduce acid in your stomach. They generally work as well as pantoprazole and have similar side effects. However, they may be given in different doses to pantoprazole.

Sometimes, if pantoprazole is not working for you or you get side effects, your doctor may suggest that you try taking another proton pump inhibitor.

Are there other indigestion medicines?

There are other prescription medicines and ones you can buy that treat indigestion and heartburn.

Antacids

Antacids, like calcium carbonate (Tums), sodium bicarbonate, Maalox and Milk of Magnesia, relieve indigestion and heartburn by reducing the damage of acid in your stomach. They give quick relief that lasts for a few hours. They’re ideal for occasional stomach acid symptoms.

Some antacids, such as Gaviscon, have an extra ingredient called alginic acid. They work by lining your stomach so that juices from it do not splash up into your food pipe. They’re especially good for relieving acid reflux.

Antacids are available from pharmacies and supermarkets.

h3 blockers

Histamine antagonists (commonly called h3 blockers) reduce the amount of acid made in your stomach, but they do this in a different way to proton pump inhibitors.

They include famotidine (Pepcid), cimetidine (Tagamet) and nizatidine.

In general, proton pump inhibitors like pantoprazole are used first because they are better than h3 blockers at reducing stomach acid.

However, if a proton pump inhibitor does not suit you (for example, because of side effects), your doctor may prescribe an h3 blocker.

You can buy famotidine and nizatidine without a prescription from pharmacies.

Can I take pantoprazole with an antacid?

You can take pantoprazole with an antacid like Gaviscon.

Can I take painkillers with it?

Yes, it’s safe to take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen at the same time as pantoprazole.

It’s best to take ibuprofen with, or just after, a meal so it does not upset your stomach.

Will it affect my fertility?

There’s no evidence to suggest that taking pantoprazole will reduce fertility in either men or women.

However, speak to a pharmacist or your doctor if you’re trying to get pregnant as they may want to review your treatment.

Will it affect my contraception?

Pantoprazole does not affect any type of regular contraception, including the combined pill. But it may reduce the effectiveness of one type of emergency contraception called ellaOne (ulipristal), so a different form of emergency contraceptive may be recommended instead.

If pantoprazole gives you severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what to do.

Find out what to do if you’re on the pill and have diarrhoea.

Can I drive or ride a bike?

Pantoprazole can make you feel dizzy or sleepy, or affect your vision. If this happens to you, do not drive, cycle or use machinery or tools until you feel better.

It’s an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It’s your responsibility to decide if it’s safe to drive. If you’re in any doubt, do not drive.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure whether it’s safe for you to drive while taking pantoprazole. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.

Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?

You can eat and drink normally while taking pantoprazole, but it’s best to take it an hour before a meal.

It’s best to avoid foods that seem to make your symptoms worse, such as rich, spicy and fatty foods. It also helps to cut down on caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee and cola, as well as alcohol.

Can I drink alcohol with it?

Alcohol does not affect the way pantoprazole works. However, it’s best not to drink too much alcohol because drinking alcohol makes your stomach produce more acid than normal. This can irritate your stomach lining and make your symptoms worse.

Can lifestyle changes help?

It may be possible to ease symptoms caused by too much stomach acid by making a few changes to your diet and lifestyle.

• Maintain a healthy weight by eating healthily.
• Avoid foods that can make your symptoms worse, such as rich, spicy and fatty foods, and acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits, salad dressings and fizzy drinks.
• Cut down on caffeinated drinks, such as tea, coffee and cola.
• Cut down on alcohol.
• Quit smoking if you can.
• Sit up straight when you eat. This will take the pressure off your stomach.
• If you have symptoms at night, try not to eat for at least 3 hours before you go to bed.
• Prop your head and shoulders up when you go to bed. This can stop stomach acid coming up while you sleep.

Effectiveness, Ease of Use, and Satisfaction

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Most voted positive review

54 People found this comment helpful

I have had very good results with this medication. I am a crohn’s disease patient and so also get duodenal ulcers and have had a GI hemorrhage which was also treated with pantoprazole. I am also a practical Nurse with 20yrs experience. One thing I would like to address is the comments regarding the generic versions of the medication. A generic MUST have exactly the same medicinal ingredient as…

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Most voted negative review

6 People found this comment helpful

Was given this generic medication instead of name brand protonix. It is not effective at all for my symptoms! After a weeks use all my symptoms are back! Burning pain. Would leave no stars but would not let me. I have used protonix for last 5 years with no symptoms!

Shared reviews and ratings

SORT BY Condition: Excessive Production of Stomach Acid

Overall rating 4.3

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After taking this drug for a long period of time it started making my chest hurt and I felt like my food wasn’t going down well. I stopped taking it and asked my Gastroenterologists for something else. He told me to take 20 mg of pepcid over the counter. It was as if he was angry that I asked for something else. So i asked my primary physician to prescribe something else and he gave me 40 mg of Famotidine. I felt like that was too much so I’m now takings 20 mg of Famotidine and its working better for me. I can get this through my prescription drug company at no cost to me. It’s the same thing as 20 mg of pepcid just the generic brand and I don’t have to pay for it.
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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inflammation of the Esophagus with Erosion

Overall rating 1.7

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I have had GERD, ulcers and esophagitis issues for decades. Loved Zantac and nexium but don’t want to take anything too long due to osteoporosis. After last endoscopy doctor wanted me to try Protonix. I was excited because I had not heard of it. I’ve been on it for seven days. Within two days of taking it i had headaches and diarrhea so bad all day I thought I was prepping for another colonoscopy. Then came the stomach cramps and dizziness and chills. Even with all the diarrhea I am so bloated my sweats are so tight. This is only seven days. GERD is still horrible. I never had any of these problems with the nexium so I guess I’ll go back to that or just use the sulfacrate by itself.Read More Read Less

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Conditions of Excess Stomach Acid Secretion

Overall rating 4.7

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Pantoprazole has been my savior for Gastritis. 40mg was given to me morning and night when I was at my worst in the hospital, then I titrated down to 20mg morning and night. Eventually and only took it once a day and took Pepcid AC 10mg twice a day to replace the second dose. I’ve had two side effects that are negative from Pantoprazole, after taking it for 3 months my hair starts to fall out. This has happened twice and is a direct correlation to the Pantoprazole. Also, it makes my skin dry, and flaky. I eventually have to completely come off it and give my body a break. After 3 months off it, my stomach problems start again and I have to retake it. Its not a fun cycle. Trying to heal my stomach with all kinds of things. Mostly my stress is causing the recurrence of Gastritis though. Anyway, it works, but beware of the hair loss and the dry skin, my ear lobs even cracked open at the joint of my neck. All sides totally go away within 4-6 weeks of quitting.
43 yr old healthy male, (other than the gastritis and anxiety/stress lol.) Read More Read Less

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Other

Overall rating 5.0

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I had to esophageal cancer and had my esophagus removed. I’ve been on this medication for over 5 years now at 40 mg a day and have had no ill effects.

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Indigestion

Overall rating 1.0

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DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE! IT’S COMPLETE POISON.
What’s up this medicine for one month 40 mg twice a day for indigestion. An hour after I took this medication I became extremely light-headed and dizzy. Joint aches all over, anxiety through the roof. Had blood test, brain scans, endoscopies, colonoscopies they couldn’t figure out what it was. Stopped taking it and felt better after 2 days. THIS MEDICATION IS POISON!

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inflammation of the Stomach Lining caused by H. Pylori

Overall rating 1.0

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I had bad pains in my stomach. I went to the dr and she prescribed me pantoprazole 40mg. Day 1 I took it in the AM before breakfast. The stomach pain instantly went away. I was like thank God! Day2 I started feeling like I was having heat waves come over me. I couldn’t sleep at night. I had a slight headache when I woke up. Didn’t think anything of it. Day3 more heat waves with a feeling of panic. Another night of no sleep. My stomach felt great. So I continued to take it. I made it to day 7. I had a horrible night!! Full of panic attacks, sweating, diarrhea, chills. I had to cancel my flight out of the country. As I was sweating and panicking on the couch while everyone was asleep. I looked up the reviews on this med. Then realized it was the side effects. I got up and chunked it in the trash! All day I felt exhausted, panicky, and depressed from everything. I called my dr and told her. She acted like she never heard of it. I told her to go google it! DONT TAKE THIS DRUG!!! Read More Read Less

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Conditions of Excess Stomach Acid Secretion

Overall rating 1.0

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I was diagnosed with silent reflux and was on omeprazole for 3 months in 2019. I improved my diet and stopped drinking coffee and it healed quickly. I had no issues with the omeprazole. Last year I lost two close relatives and wasn’t sleeping, so I started on coffee again, one cup a day. Four weeks ago, my burning mouth syndrome started up- burning sensation in palate- which I first experienced in 2011. My ENT prescribed omeprazole 40 mg after an endoscopy. I this time I started having side effects – brain fog, feeling unwell and extreme sensitivity of my teeth. After 3 weeks, she switched me to pantoprazole. I started experiencing neck pain, still had teeth sensitivity and felt tired and sick. I started taking 20 mg omeprazole today to wean off everything. I will call my ENT tomorrow, but I will not go back on those meds. My burning mouth has improved, so hopefully the symptoms from the PPIs will resolve. Read More Read Less

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Increased Stomach Acid from Systemic Mastocytosis

Overall rating 5.0

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been using this drug for 2 months works very very well.

1

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inflammation of the Esophagus with Erosion

Overall rating 1.7

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I started ok the reflux was gone, but things started to go wrong at about week 5. I was choking and panicking then came pain in my joints went to the doctor he said it was in my head on week 10.
I had the feeling death was better than this. I will never take meds again

1

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inflammation of the Esophagus with Erosion

Overall rating 2.7

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Would not recommend to anyone with current mental health issues. Experience horrible anxiety and irritability that oddly set in after starting it. Further, I felt as though everything I ate sat like a rock and caused bad constipation. Lower dosage helped the constipation, but anxiety/worry did not subside and GERD symptoms increased.

1

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Heartburn

Overall rating 1.0

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Doctor changed me from Omeprazole 20 mg to Pantoprazole 40 mg. I feel horrible. Terrible heartburn, chest pain, burping, nausea. Going back to Omeprazole and will take 40 mg to try and manage GERD. Against my better judgement since all of these PPI’s aren’t good for you and I believe I actually have low stomach acid as a result of taking these drugs for 15 years. Also have been diagnosed with SIBO likely because of PPI’s. Will be discussing with doctor and would advise anyone to be careful when taking PPI’s. Read More Read Less

1

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Other

Overall rating 5.0

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No heartburn at all with PANTOPRAZOLE SOD DR 40 mg
And no side effects 5 Stars

1

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Condition in which Stomach Acid is Pushed Into the Esophagus

Overall rating 4.7

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Bad cough from stomach acid working over my esophagus. This medication started working almost immediately. Once I lose weight (my biggest problem) I’ll stop using it.

1

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Heartburn

Overall rating 1.7

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I was on Pantoprazole 40 mg for 2 years. During it seemed to work but I noticed my joints always ached, my ankles were swollen, I had constant diarrhea, heart palpitations, blurred vision and the list goes on. About 6 months ago, I started having severe anxiety/panic attacks. I noticed this would only happen when I took the medicine. I stopped the medicine cold Turkey. I no longer have joint pain, my ankles are not swollen and I have normal bowels. However, my anxiety has not stopped. This medication will leave you in a condition worse than what you started with. I will never take it again! Read More Read Less

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Indigestion

Overall rating 2.3

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I had some stomach pain due to some food I ate and decided to go to the doctor to check just in case and he subscribed me pantoprazole 40mg.
I started to take it next day in the morning and by the end of that day I had a bit of headache which I thought it was due to the fact that I ate very little. Next morning I woke up with a headache again and took a paracetamol but around noon it got worse, so I took some ibuprofen. Next day I woke up quite well but just as I was driving my wife to work I felt something wrong. I came back home, had a nap, was feeling a little better and went on with my day. Around 2pm I was driving when the my hands started to get cold, my heart started racing and my anxiety was sky high. I could barely drive my way back home safely. I got home, tried to rest, but the anxiety, mental confusion and sort of desperation didn’t go. At some point I decided to have a shower and see if that would help and during the shower occur to me that this could be a side effect of this crap, and after reading the papers and some reviews, sure enough it was.
I stopped the thing right away and still took me good 4 days to recover. The side effects of this S**t was way worse than the issue I had that lead me to take it.
Never again!!!Read More Read Less

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Inflammation of the Esophagus with Erosion

Overall rating 1.7

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Severe irritability. So bad that I thought I was losing my mind. This medicine was total s**t for me. Plus the anxiety from thinking I was losing my mind caused SO much more acid that the GERD got worse. This “medicine” almost drove me to suicide.

1

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Condition in which Stomach Acid is Pushed Into the Esophagus

Overall rating 4.3

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started gaining weight 3 or 4 lbs a month went from 220 to 255 in five month

1

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Condition in which Stomach Acid is Pushed Into the Esophagus

Overall rating 1.7

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

After being on this medication for a period of time I developed a heart condition that may be related to this medication

1

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Fill 3Created with Sketch. Condition: Other

Overall rating 4.3

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

Gastritis. I was diagnosed with Gastritis and ibs and celiac disease. I cut out all gluten, and changed my diet to a nothing below a ph of 5 diet (low acid, more alkaline diet). Still was having stomach bloating and burning. Was put on 40mg once a day of Pantoprazole. Started to help immediately with the bloating and burning. Within a couple weeks I started having some skin issues, ear lobes were cracking, arms were flaking and dry. But I didn’t want to stop taking it because it really helped my stomach. I could tell it was healing finally. So I asked to cut the dose. New script of 20mg a day, and I put aloe on my skin everyday and I’m good. Ear lobes are normal again, my skin is dry but after pure aloe off of Amazon it’s fine all day. I use dove soap when I shower so it dosent dry my skin to bad, and I’m making it work, I’ve tried Pepcid AC, didn’t do anything for stomach hit gave me heart palpitations. Try Nexium, made me crazy, and depressed. Pantoprazole dosent affect me mentally, and it works on my stomach. Not more bloat. I can deal with putting on lotion once a day to be able to eat again. Don’t listen to all the bad reviews, eveyone is different. Most people won’t leave a good review when a med works. They are just happy the problem is fixed and they forget about it and go back to their lives Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 1.7

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I had basically eliminated my reflux when I bought an adjustable bed. My Dr. Wanted me to take this as a precaution against esophageal swelling. After a week of this drug I had worse reflux than I ever had. I read reviews on it and most people were having problems so I stopped taking it. A month later and I still have throat pain from acids. I’m worried it won’t go away. Please consider the risks before taking this drug.

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What is prescribed for, side effects

According to doctors, diseases of the digestive system are diseases of civilization. Each person at least once faced such manifestations as abdominal pain, heartburn, belching, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation. Gastrointestinal diseases in terms of the number of hospitalizations rank third after pregnancy and cardiovascular diseases.

According to clinical guidelines in the complex therapy of gastric ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), drugs from the PPI group – proton pump inhibitors are used. Using the example of the drug Pantoprazole, we analyze how such drugs “work” in the body, what they help with and what side effects they have. Compare Pantoprazole with Omeprazole, Rabeprazole and Nolpaza.

Pantoprazole: what helps

Hydrochloric acid, contained in gastric juice, stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, activates gastric motility and destroys pathogens that come with food. It is produced in the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa, and the proton pump enzyme controls this process.

Excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid is dangerous for the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. To reduce its production, Pantoprazole is prescribed, which blocks the action of the proton pump and reduces the aggressive effect of gastric juice on the gastrointestinal mucosa.

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Pantoprazole What is it used for

What is Pantoprazole used for? Under what diseases and conditions is it necessary to reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid? Before answering the questions, we clarify that the indications for the use of the drug depend on the dosage. Pantoprazole tablets are produced in two types:

1. Pantoprazole 20 mg is indicated for the relief of heartburn and regurgitation in GERD in adults. The drug reduces the aggressiveness of gastric juice, which is thrown into the esophagus and prevents the formation of erosion, ulcers and burns.

2. Pantoprazole 40 mg tablets are used for:

• exacerbation of gastric and duodenal ulcers to allow it to heal;
• erosive gastritis, including those associated with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to protect the mucous membrane;
• complex eradication of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which becomes more sensitive to antibiotics at elevated pH;
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome to prevent the formation of erosions and ulcers.

Pantoprazole: side effects

If the drug is used according to indications and in accordance with the instructions, side effects are rare. Headache and diarrhea were reported in only 1% of patients. Also possible:

• dizziness;
• benign polyps of gastric glands;
• bloating, constipation;
• dry mouth, nausea, vomiting;
• abdominal pain and discomfort;
• dermatitis, pruritus, rash;
• fractures.

Pantoprazole or Omeprazole: which is better?

Omeprazole is the first and most studied proton pump inhibitor. Indications for use are generally similar to those of Pantoprazole. The main difference is that omeprazole at a dose of 20 mg is approved for the treatment of children from 2 years of age with GERD and from 4 years of age in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, and Pantoprazole is indicated only for adult patients from 18 years of age.

Preparations differ in the form of release. Omeprazole is produced in the form of microcapsules enclosed in an enteric shell and placed in a capsule. Pantoprazole is an enteric coated tablet. Omeprazole capsules can be dissolved in acidified water, juice or fruit puree. In this form, they are convenient for children and patients with difficulty swallowing.

Omeprazole is more likely than Pantoprazole to cause headache, drowsiness, lethargy and gastrointestinal side effects, has more interactions with other drugs with antacids. But, despite the similarity of action, patients should not independently decide what to take – Omeprazole or Pantoprazole. To do this, you need to consult a doctor, as the drugs have differences.

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Pantoprazole or Rabeprazole: which is better?

Rabeprazole is also a PPI and has a number of advantages over Pantoprazole: it works up to 48 hours, it is allowed for children from 12 years old with GERD at a dosage of 20 mg, it can be used regardless of food intake.

Another “positive” difference of Rabeprazole is that it is active at almost any pH of gastric juice, while Pantoprazole is active only at pH not higher than 3.

Preparations contain different active and excipients, have their own characteristics of purpose, so the choice of Pantoprazole or Rabeprazole is made by the attending physician.

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Pantoprazole or Nolpaza: which is better?

Under the name Pantoprazole, the drug is produced by Russian companies, and Nolpaza is an analogue of the Slovenian company KRKA. Pantoprazole and Nolpaza are complete analogues with the same active ingredient. They differ in manufacturers, excipients and the place of synthesis of substances. So, pantoprazole for Nolpaza is produced in Slovenia, and for Pantoprazole – in Spain and India.

According to the instructions for medical use, Nolpaza is approved for the treatment of children from 12 years of age. Therefore, the drug has an advantage in pediatric practice. In other cases, Nolpaza and Pantoprazole are interchangeable, taking into account the dosages prescribed by the doctor and the appointment.

It should be remembered that when taking any proton pump inhibitors, the risk of developing osteoporosis and certain gastrointestinal infections increases. If PPIs are prescribed, then other drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric juice should not be taken.

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20 reviews

Summary

• Pantoprazole blocks the action of the proton pump enzyme, reduces the production of hydrochloric acid and reduces the aggressive effect of gastric juice on the gastrointestinal mucosa.
• Pantoprazole is indicated for the treatment of GERD, gastric and duodenal ulcers, erosive gastritis and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
• If the drug is used according to indications and in accordance with the instructions, then side effects are rare.
• The main difference is that omeprazole at a dose of 20 mg is approved for the treatment of children from 2 years of age with GERD and from 4 years of age in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, and Pantoprazole is indicated only for adult patients from 18 years of age.
• Rabeprazole is active at almost any pH of gastric juice, while Pantoprazole is active only at pH not higher than 3.
• According to the instructions for medical use, Nolpaza is approved for the treatment of children from 12 years of age. Therefore, the drug has an advantage in pediatric practice.

Ask an expert about the topic of the article

Still have questions? Ask them in the comments below and our experts will answer you. There you can also share your experience with other Megatips readers.

What helps, analogues, side effects

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. A SPECIALIST’S CONSULTATION IS REQUIRED.0003 All authors

Contents of the article

• Nolpaza: active ingredient
• Nolpaza: what helps
• Nolpaza: method of administration
• Nolpaza: before meals or after
• Nolpaza: side effects
• Nolpaza: similar to
• Nolpaza or Nexium : which is better
• Which is better: Nolpaza or Omeprazole
• Ask an expert on the topic of the article

About 10% of visitors come to one pharmacy every day with complaints of burning in the stomach and behind the sternum and sour belching. Heartburn is one of the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For quick self-help, enveloping agents are often used. They are easily picked up by specialists in a pharmacy. However, they do not treat the cause of heartburn – increased stomach acid.

To solve this problem, the doctor may prescribe Nolpaza. Let’s talk about the drug in more detail: about its active substance, indications, method of application, side effects and compare with analogues.

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20 reviews

Nolpaza: active ingredient

The active ingredient of Nolpaza is pantoprazole. The drug is available in the form of enteric coated tablets. Tablet dosages are 20 mg and 40 mg.

Pantoprazole as part of Nolpaza inhibits the release of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This reduces its aggressive effect on the mucosa of the organ. Nolpaza prevents heartburn, inflammation and ulceration.

Nolpaza: what helps

Nolpaza helps with the following conditions:

• GERD with heartburn, sour belching and pain when swallowing
• peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum (PUD and duodenum)
• erosive gastritis, including those associated with taking drugs from the NSAID group (ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, etc. )
• complex treatment Helicobacter pylori
  
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Nolpaza: method of administration

Dosing regimen and course of treatment depend on the patient’s condition and diagnosis. The treatment regimen should be discussed with the doctor.

Adults and adolescents from 12 years of age for the treatment of GERD, depending on the severity, are prescribed 20-80 mg per day for 4-8 weeks. For prevention and maintenance treatment, 20 mg tablets are used.

GU and duodenal ulcer in adults are treated with tablets of 40-80 mg per day. With an exacerbation of a duodenal ulcer, the course of treatment is 2 weeks. If there is no improvement, treatment is continued for another 14 days. With an exacerbation of YABZH, Nolpaza is drunk for 1-2 months. To prevent the recurrence of the disease, take 20 mg of the drug. Nolpaza for gastritis is used according to the same scheme.

For eradication of Helicobacter pylori Nolpaza is used 40 mg 2 times a day for 1-2 weeks. At the same time, they additionally drink antibacterial drugs.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is treated with 80 mg of Nolpaza per day. The dose is divided into two doses. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.

Nolpaza: before meals or after

Nolpaza: side effects

As a rule, Nolpaza does not cause side effects. In 1-10% of cases, the formation of polyps is possible. In 0.1-1% of cases, patients experience:

• sleep disorders
• headache, dizziness
• diarrhoea, nausea, flatulence, constipation, dry mouth
• rash and itching of the skin
• fractures
• asthenia, fatigue

Nolpaza: contraindications

Nolpaza is contraindicated in the following cases:

• allergy to drug components or substituted benzimidazoles (omeprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole, etc.)
• children under 12 years of age
• fructose intolerance

Nolpaza analogues

Nolpaza analogues can be drugs that also contain pantoprazole. As well as products with other active ingredients. Consider the first group, since they can be replaced with each other without consulting a doctor. Only a doctor can replace Nolpaza with drugs with other active ingredients.

Nolpaza: substitutes and analogues with pantoprazole

• Control
• Ulsepan
• Pantoprazole
• Panum
• Pouloref
• Crosacid
• Sanpraz
• Pantaz
• Peptazol

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Nolpaza or Nexium: which is better

The active substance of Nexi mind – esomeprazole. It is 1.5-2 times faster than pantoprazole from Nolpaza, it creates a high concentration in the blood. And at the site of action, its concentration is higher than the concentration of Nolpaza.

Nexium is available in the form of pellets and granules for suspension. This form of release is suitable for patients with difficulty swallowing and children over 1 year old. They are dissolved in water and drunk immediately or within half an hour. The remains of microgranules are stirred in a new portion of water and drunk.

Nexium causes headache, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea and vomiting more often than Nolpaza. In 0.1-1% of cases it causes dermatitis, blurred vision and swelling.

Nolpaza and Nexium are available on prescription. So he decides what is best for each patient.

Which is better: Nolpaza or Omeprazole

The active substance of Omeprazole is the same name. It creates a maximum concentration in the blood 1-1.5 times faster than pantoprazole in Nolpaze. But only 60% of the active substance reaches the organs. Nolpaza’s figure is 77%.

Omeprazole is available as capsules. They can be dissolved in acidified water, juice or fruit puree. So the drug is suitable for children over 2 years old.