Pantoprazole: Uses, Procedure, Precautions and Side Effects

Pantoprazole is used to treat some esophagus and stomach conditions, such as acid reflux. Using it reduces the amount of acid your stomach generates. This medication relieves the symptoms of coughing, heartburn, and difficulty swallowing.

 It prevents esophageal cancer, repairs stomach and esophageal damage caused by acid, and prevents ulcers. Pantoprazole is a member of the PPI (proton pump inhibitor) class of drugs.

How To Use Pantoprazole Sodium?

Consult the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before beginning pantoprazole treatment and before starting any refills. Take this medication orally as prescribed by your physician, generally once a day. Your medical condition and reaction to therapy will determine the course of action and dose.

You can take the medications with or without meals if you must. Completely swallow the pills. The medicine should not be chewed, divided, or crushed. This can ruin the medication. Take your dosage thirty minutes before a meal if you're taking the granules. To consume the granules orally, open the packet and combine them with applesauce or apple juice. Avoid combining it with other meals or beverages. Avoid chewing or crushing the grains. 

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After dispersing the granules over 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of applesauce, immediately (within 10 minutes) drink the entire mixture. Then take little sips of water. Rinse the cup once or twice with apple juice to mix in any residual grains, then drink the juice to ensure you've taken the whole amount. Don't make the mixture in advance to use at a later time.

Ask your healthcare provider for specific directions on how to mix and administer the granules if you are administering them via a gastric or nasogastric tube.

Antacids can be given with this medicine if necessary. Take pantoprazole at least half an hour before sucralfate if you are also taking it.

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Precautions While Taking Pantoprazole

Inform your doctor or pharmacist before using pantoprazole if you have any allergies, or if you are allergic to any comparable medications (lansoprazole, omeprazole, etc.). Inform your doctor or chemist about all of your medical history before using this drug, especially any instances of lupus or liver illness.

Certain symptoms can indicate a more serious illness. Seek immediate medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms: intense burning in your chest, jaw, arm, or shoulder; unusual perspiration; shortness of breath; or unexplained weight loss.

Inform your doctor or dentist about everything you use before surgery, including over-the-counter, prescription, and herbal medications.

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Drug Interaction Of Pantoprazole

Drug interactions might alter the way your prescriptions function or raise the possibility of severe adverse effects. Not every potential medication interaction is covered in this publication. Before beginning, stopping, or altering the amount of any medication, get your doctor's clearance.

Methotrexate is a substance that may interact with this medication, particularly when used in large doses.

Stomach acid is necessary for the body to effectively absorb certain products. Pantoprazole may alter the effectiveness of these products since it reduces stomach acid. A number of medicines are impacted, including rilpivirine, sparsentan, ampicillin, atazanavir, erlotinib, levoketoconazole, nelfinavir, pazopanib, and various azole antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole, and posaconazole).

This medicine may cause erroneous test results when used in conjunction with other lab tests (e.g., blood tests to detect certain tumors, and urine testing for tetrahydrocannabinol-THC). Make sure your doctors and the lab staff are aware that you take this medication.

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Side Effects Of Pantoprazole

There might be a headache or diarrhea. Notify your chemist or doctor right once if any of these side effects persist or worsen.

Recall that your doctor has recommended this medicine because they believe it will help you more than it will cause negative side effects. 

Notify your physician at a distance if you have any severe side effects, such as evidence of lupus (such as cheek and nose rash, new or worsening joint pain), or symptoms of low blood magnesium (such as muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat, seizures).

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Rarely, a bacterium known as C. difficile may result from this medicine and cause a serious digestive disorder. This illness may develop during treatment or weeks to months after the course of therapy has ended. Notify your physician at a distance if you experience persistent diarrhea, cramping or pain in your abdomen, or blood or mucus in your stool.

Avoid using anti-diarrhea or opioid drugs if you experience these symptoms as they may exacerbate them.

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Proton pump inhibitors, including pantoprazole, have in rare cases resulted in vitamin B-12 insufficiency. If they are used daily for a prolonged period of time (three years or more), the danger increases. If you have signs of a vitamin B-12 deficiency, such as unusual weakness, sore tongue, or tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, see your doctor straight once.

Rarely, this medication might cause a very dangerous adverse response. However, if you have any of the following symptoms of a major allergic response, obtain medical attention immediately away: fever, rash, enlarged lymph nodes, itching or swelling (particularly in the face, tongue, or neck), severe dizziness, difficulty breathing, and indicators of renal issues (such changes in urine volume).

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Important topics in Pharmacology for NEET-PG

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