About pantoprazole
Proton pump inhibitor
Used for
- Treats severe acid reflux and stomach or duodenal ulcers when oral treatment is unsuitable
- Prevents stress-related stomach ulcers in critically ill patients
Usual adult dose
Usually 40 mg by intravenous injection once daily; higher doses may be used for excess acid production.
Usual dose in children
For ages 5 years and older: usually 20 mg daily below 40 kg, or 40 mg daily at 40 kg or more, for reflux esophagitis.
Common side effects
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or abdominal pain
- Injection-site reactions
Important warnings
- Long-term use may lower magnesium or vitamin B12 levels and increase fracture risk.
- Rarely, serious allergic reactions, severe skin reactions, or kidney inflammation occur.
- May mask symptoms of stomach cancer; persistent symptoms need assessment.
- Intravenous treatment is generally for when oral treatment is unsuitable.
Pregnancy
Use only if clearly needed; pregnancy data are limited, so discuss risks and benefits with a clinician.
Breastfeeding
Pantoprazole enters breast milk in small amounts; use when clinically needed after weighing benefits and risks.
Interactions
- May reduce absorption of medicines needing stomach acid, such as atazanavir.
- May increase methotrexate levels, especially with high-dose treatment.
- Can affect warfarin anticoagulation; monitoring may be needed.
- Rifampin and St John’s wort may reduce pantoprazole effectiveness.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.