Pantoprazole tablets

Pantoprazole is an acid reflux medication that reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach. When taken daily, acid reflux tablets help to alleviate symptoms associated with excess acid.

Pantoprazole has been approved in various EU countries through national regulatory agencies since 1994. Branded versions of the drug have also been approved, such as Protonix.

It is available from euroClinix as 20 mg tablets. Taking these gastro-resistant tablets daily offers fast relief of symptoms, allowing you to manage your daily activities with ease.

Pantoprazole belongs to a class of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Proton pumps are enzymes in your stomach that make acid so you can digest your food.

However, while stomach acid is essential for digestion, it can cause pain and discomfort in those with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or similar conditions. GORD causes the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) to open, allowing stomach acid to travel up the oesophagus.

Pantoprazole stops proton pumps from producing too much stomach acid. For those with GORD or frequent heartburn, this offers relief from acid reflux and helps manage acid-related pain and discomfort.

Oesophagus

Stomach acid travels up the oesophagus, causing pain and discomfort

Open sphincter

An open sphincter allows stomach acid to escape.

Stomach

Proton pumps in the stomach produce acid to digest our food.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)

Pantoprazole closes the lower oesophageal sphincter, stopping acid reflux from occurring

Taking Pantoprazole daily provides many health benefits:

• Symptom resolution - Pantoprazole helps with pain and discomfort caused by acid reflux.
• Treats peptic ulcers - Pantoprazole also treats ulcers in the stomach lining by allowing them to heal without being damaged further by stomach acid.
• Effective treatment for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome - clinically proven to be an effective maintenance treatment for the rare condition.
• Prevents damage to the oesophagus - by stopping acid reflux, the oesophagus is protected from damage.

Clinical data has found that Pantoprazole 20 mg tablets are safe and effective for managing various stomach acid-related conditions.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)

In a clinical trial including 433 patients found Pantoprazole to be an effective treatment for GORD. This randomised, double-blind study had the following results:

• For the 20 mg dose - 87% of participants were symptom-free at 6 months, and 75% were symptom-free at 12 months.
• For the 40 mg dose - 91% of participants were symptom-free at 6 months, and 78% were symptom-free at 12 months.

Peptic ulcers

Pantoprazole has also been found to be effective in the treatment of peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers). In one trial, patients were given either 40 mg of Pantoprazole or a placebo to treat their ulcers.

After 12 weeks, 82% of the Pantoprazole group went into remission, compared to only 55% of those taking a placebo.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Pantoprazole has also been found to be a suitable maintenance treatment for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, as it effectively reduces stomach acid production.

In a three-year study, 24 patients were given Pantoprazole at varying doses, and acid production was measured.

Maintenance treatment with Pantoprazole was found to be effective and well-tolerated in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, with stomach acid levels notably reduced.

This medication may not be suitable for everyone. When you complete a consultation, our UK-registered doctors will be able to determine if Pantoprazole is safe for you.

Who can take it?

To get a prescription for Pantoprazole, you must have already been prescribed this treatment by your GP.

Only those with one of the following conditions can get a prescription:

• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
• Peptic ulcers
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Who cannot take it?

You cannot take Pantoprazole if:

• You are allergic to Pantoprazole or any other ingredient found in this medicine
• You are allergic to medicines containing other proton-pump inhibitors, such as Omeprazole

Cautions

Additionally, there are some instances where the safety of Pantoprazole needs to be determined on a case-by-case basis:

• You have severe liver problems - your liver enzymes may need to be checked more frequently.
• You need to take NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory medicines) continuously - personal risk factors such as age will need to be taken into account when prescribing this medication.
• You have reduced body stores of vitamin B12 or risk factors associated with it - Pantoprazole may lead to a reduced absorption of vitamin B12.
• You are due to have a specific blood test (Chromogranin A) - Pantoprazole may affect the results of this blood test.

Please disclose your health status during your online consultation with euroClinix. One of our doctors will evaluate whether Pantoprazole is suitable for you and may adjust your medications if needed.

To use Pantoprazole correctly, follow the dosage and treatment course our medical team prescribes. This ensures the drug's effectiveness and helps avoid side effects.

Keep reading for some general guidelines on how to take Pantoprazole.

Dosage

Only one dose of Pantoprazole is available from euroClinix: 20 mg.

Pantoprazole 40 mg tablets are sometimes prescribed if 20 mg is deemed to be ineffective, and different conditions may also require different doses. Your doctor may, therefore, recommend more than one 20 mg tablet to be taken daily.

This table lists the recommended dosage schedule for each condition treated by this medicine:

NOTE: This is the usual recommended Pantoprazole dosage, but yours may differ. Always follow your doctor’s advice when taking your medication.

When do I take it?

Pantoprazole should be taken an hour before a meal. Most people choose to take it before breakfast so it can be taken first thing in the morning.

Stomach acid production is stimulated when we eat. Take Pantoprazole 30-60 minutes before meals for the best results, ideally in the morning.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

What if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose of Pantoprazole, skip the missed dose, and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

It usually takes 1-4 days before you begin to notice results with Pantoprazole, but it can take 4-8 weeks for the medicine to fully alleviate symptoms.

For this reason, Pantoprazole should not be used for immediate relief from symptoms like heartburn. For this, over-the-counter antacids may be more suitable.

For Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, Pantoprazole must be taken continuously to keep stomach acid levels low.

While Pantoprazole effectively reduces stomach acid, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to reduce symptoms of your condition further:

Fresh vegetables and non-citrus fruits are great food choices if you are suffering from symptoms of acid reflux as they will promote a balanced gut bacteria. Also, add some anti-inflammatory fats such as oily fish or linseeds to help reduce inflammation.

Silvia Fonda Nutritionist

As with all prescription medications, Pantoprazole may produce some unwanted side effects. Most of these are mild and should go away within a few days.

The most common side effect is benign polyps (small growths) in the stomach. The risk of developing these is more pronounced when Pantoprazole is used long-term.

How to manage side effects

The most common side effects of Pantoprazole, polyps, are rarely serious. However, if you notice a persistent lump, consult your doctor to get it checked.

Other side effects can be managed in the following ways:

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Avoid fatty, spicy, or acidic foods that may worsen digestive issues.
• Limit or avoid alcohol if you experience gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhoea or bloating.

Some medicines may change the way Pantoprazole works or increase the risk of side effects. Tell your doctor about any other medication you are taking, including the following:

• HIV medications (e.g., atazanavir) - Pantoprazole may reduce the effectiveness of HIV medications known as protease inhibitors.
• Blood clot medications (e.g., warfarin) - taking these medications together may cause abnormal bleeding.
• Methotrexate (immunosuppressant) - Pantoprazole may increase methotrexate levels in the body.
• Antifungal medications (e.g., ketoconazole) - Pantoprazole may reduce the effectiveness of antifungal medications that require stomach acid for absorption.

This list does not cover all possible interactions. For a comprehensive list, please visit the Pantoprazole interactions checker on the BNF website.

Tell your doctor about any concerns you may have and always follow their advice when taking any medication.

This medication does not require any special storage instructions. Follow these general guidelines when storing your gastro-resistant tablets:

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
• Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste.*

*Take any unused medication to your local pharmacy for proper disposal. These measures help to protect the environment.

No, Pantoprazole can only be obtained with a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.

Prescriptions are necessary because they:

• Ensure appropriate use for your specific condition.
• Prevent potential misuse and associated health risks.
• Allow for monitoring of side effects and interactions with other medications.

Ordering Pantoprazole online from euroClinix is convenient.

Follow these simple steps:

• Complete a quick online consultation to check your eligibility.
• UK-registered doctors review your responses to ensure the medication is right for you.
• Upon approval, an e-prescription will be issued.
• Enjoy free delivery from our licensed pharmacy with tracking details.

Your privacy is our top priority. euroClinix uses secure, encrypted transactions and complies with UK medical standards to keep your information confidential.

Start your online consultation today to enjoy professional care from the comfort of your home.

euroClinix is trusted by thousands of users in the UK for its safe and convenient service. Here’s why:

• Experienced doctors manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• Online consultations, swift approvals, and discreet doorstep delivery make ordering quick and convenient.
• A supportive team is on hand to answer treatment-related questions or concerns.
• Patients can manage their prescriptions hassle-free through our secure platform.

Join thousands who trust euroClinix for their healthcare needs and take control of your health today.

The price of Pantoprazole at euroClinix includes everything you need:

• Free online consultation with our experienced doctors
• Free prescription, if approved
• Free delivery straight to your door

Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees. Order today and benefit from our complete, all-inclusive service.

If this medicine is not right for you, we have other options. These include Nexium, Rabeprazole, Omeprazole, and Lansoprazole. These are also PPIs and work in a similar way to Pantoprazole.