The amount of acid produced by your stomach is decreased by pantoprazole. It treats gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), acid reflux, and heartburn. GORD is when acid reflux occurs repeatedly. It is also used to both prevent and treat stomach ulcers. Thats why here we will discuss Pantoprazole for Stomach Ulcers.
The rare disorder known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which is brought on by a tumour in the pancreas or intestines, is occasionally treated with pantoprazole. The form of pantoprazole is a tablet. All varieties of pantoprazole can be obtained with a prescription. For acid reflux or heartburn, pharmacies also sell lower-strength 20mg tablets.
Key Facts
- Pantoprazole is typically used once daily in the morning.
- Headaches and diarrhoea are the most frequent side effects.
- These are typically minor and disappear once you stop taking the medication.
- Although it may take up to 4 weeks for pantoprazole to entirely control your symptoms, you should start to feel better in 2 to 3 days.
- Before taking any more pantoprazole, consult a doctor if your symptoms do not subside after two weeks after purchasing it without a prescription.
- Typically, it is not advised to take pantoprazole when pregnant.
Who cannot take Pantoprazole?
Pantoprazole can be taken by adults and children who are 12 years old and older. Some people should not take pantoprazole. In order to ensure your safety, let your doctor know if you:
- Have liver issues
- Are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are nursing
- Are due for an endoscopy
- Have ever experienced an adverse reaction to pantoprazole or any other medication.
Ask your doctor if you should stop taking pantoprazole a few weeks prior to your endoscopy if you plan to undergo one. This is due to the possibility that pantoprazole can conceal some of the issues that an endoscopy would often reveal. Click here to consult online with the Best Gastroenterologists in your city via Marham.
How and when to take Pantoprazole?
Pantoprazole, brand name Zopent is typically used once daily, first thing in the morning. Take one dose of pantoprazole in the morning and one in the evening if you take it twice a day.
Dosage and strength
Pantoprazole (20 mg or 40 mg) is the dosage per pill. Pharmacy stores sell pantoprazole 20 mg pills. These are appropriate for the short-term management of adult heartburn and acid reflux. The standard treatment dose is:
- 20mg per day is recommended for heartburn and acid reflux;
- 20mg to 40mg for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease;
- 20mg to 40mg for stomach ulcers;
- 40mg to 80mg for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome,
This can be increased to 160mg per day depending on how well it works for you. In general, doses are reduced for those with liver issues.
How to take it?
Preferably, pantoprazole should be taken an hour before a meal. Tablets should be consumed whole together with water.
Changes to your dose
If pantoprazole isn’t functioning well enough, your doctor may occasionally increase the dosage. You might start out with a higher dose of pantoprazole, often for a month or two, depending on why you’re taking it. Your doctor might then advise that you take a reduced dose.
How long to take it for?
You can often use pantoprazole for up to two weeks if you purchase it from a drugstore.
In two weeks:
- You can continue taking it for another two weeks if your symptoms have improved.
- If they have not improved or have gotten worse, consult a doctor before taking any more. pantoprazole
Without previously seeing your doctor, do not take pantoprazole for longer than four weeks. To determine what is causing your symptoms, you might require certain testing if they have not subsided. Depending on your health, you might only need to take pantoprazole on a prescription for a few weeks or months.
Your doctor could occasionally suggest continuing to take it for a long period. Some people just need to take pantoprazole when they experience symptoms rather than needing to take it every day. You can stop taking it once you start feeling better (often a few days or weeks later).
It is not recommended for everyone to take pantoprazole only on the days when they experience symptoms. Consult your doctor to determine what is best for you.
Read also “What Foods Neutralize Stomach Acid?”
If you forget to take it
When taking pantoprazole as usual:
- once daily – if you miss a dose, take it as soon as you recall, unless it will be less than 12 hours before your next dose, in which case you should omit the missed dose and take the following one at the scheduled time.
- Unless your next dose is due in less than 4 hours, in which case skip the missed dose and take the following one at the scheduled time, take the missing dose of your twice-daily medication as soon as you recall.
Never take two doses at once to make up for missed ones. Set an alarm to remind you if you frequently forget to take your medication. Inquire with your pharmacist for additional tips on how to remember to take
If you take too much
It is quite unlikely that taking additional pantoprazole doses will have any negative effects. But speak with your doctor if you have any concerns. Click here to consult online with the Best Gastroenterologists in your city via Marham.
Side effects
Most users of pantoprazole report no negative side effects. The majority of adverse effects are minor and disappear after you stop taking pantoprazole. One in one hundred persons experience these adverse effects. If any of these side effects annoy you or do not go away, consult your pharmacist or doctor:
- Migraines
- Diarrhoea
Serious side effects
Less than 1 in 1,000 persons experience serious adverse effects. To get medical attention right away if you have:
- A rare illness known as subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus can cause joint discomfort and a red skin rash, especially on exposed body regions like the arms, cheeks, and nose (this may be less obvious on those with brown or black skin). Even if you’ve been on pantoprazole for a long time, this could still occur.
- Intense stomach discomfort, yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (which may be less noticeable on people with brown or black complexion), or dark urine may be symptoms of liver disease.
- Signs of a kidney issue include pain when urinating, less frequent urination, lower back pain, swollen ankles, rash, and a high temperature.
- severe or ongoing diarrhoea, which may indicate an irritated colon.
Serious allergic reaction
Rarely, pantoprazole may cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
- You develop a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; you wheeze;
- you have chest or throat tightness;
- you have difficulty breathing or speaking;
- and your mouth, face, lips, tongue, or neck begin to swell.
How to cope with side effects of Pantoprazole?
- Headaches: Take care to get plenty of rest and drinks. Avoid consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. Request a painkiller recommendation from your pharmacist. After the first week of using pantoprazole, headaches normally subside. If they persist for more than a week or are severe, speak with your doctor.
- If you have diarrhoea, make sure to hydrate yourself by drinking plenty of water or squash in short, regular sips. Peeing less frequently than normal or having urine with a strong odour are indicators of dehydration. Without first seeing a pharmacist or doctor, never use any additional medications to treat diarrhoea. Consult your doctor if your diarrhoea does not improve.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Pantoprazole and Pregnancy
Because there is not much data on the use of pantoprazole during pregnancy, it is not typically advised. Due to the availability of more safety data, your doctor may advise omeprazole, a medication that is comparable but has a different name. You might want to experiment with treating your symptoms without using medication.
Try eating smaller meals more frequently and staying away from fatty and spicy foods. When you eat, sit up straight to relieve pressure on your stomach. If you experience symptoms at night, you may want to sleep with your head and shoulders elevated. This assists in preventing stomach acid from rising as you sleep. Click here to consult online with the Best Gastroenterologists in your city via Marham.
Pantoprazole and Breastfeeding
Take pantoprazole during nursing if your doctor or health visitor indicates your infant is healthy. According to the limited information that is currently available, pantoprazole goes into breast milk in very small amounts, and your infant won’t absorb much of it into their bodies. The chances of your baby experiencing any negative effects from pantoprazole are slim.
Cautions with other Medicines
Pantoprazole and some medications can interact, increasing your risk of experiencing side effects or decreasing the effectiveness of one of the medications. Before beginning pantoprazole therapy, disclose to your doctor if you are currently taking any of the following medications:
- Antidepressant fluvoxamine
- Methotrexate
- A drug used to treat cancer, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis
- HIV medications
- Rifampicin
Mixing Pantoprazole with Herbal Remedies and Supplements
When using pantoprazole, avoid consuming St. John’s wort, a herbal cure for depression. Pantoprazole may not function as it should if St. John’s wort is present. There is insufficient evidence to suggest if pantoprazole should be taken with other complementary therapies or herbal treatments.
They are not subjected to the same testing as over-the-counter and prescription medications. Typically, their impact on other medications is not evaluated.
Book your appointment with the Best Gastroenterologists in Pakistan online via Marham today!
FAQs
1. How long does it take pantoprazole to heal an ulcer?
If you are using pantoprazole to get rid of Helicobacter pylori, a usual course of treatment lasts for one to two weeks. If it is to allow an ulcer to heal, it will persist for one or two months.
2. Is it better to take pantoprazole in the morning or at night?
The 40-mg dose, which comes in pill and powder form, has been demonstrated to be superior than pantoprazole 40 mg administered at supper in controlling night time pH.
3. How much pantoprazole should I take for an ulcer?
Depending on the clinical scenario, oral pantoprazole 40 mg once a day for 4–8 weeks should be given after the initial course of treatment. Critical care patients may benefit from taking pantoprazole 40 mg or 80 mg once or twice a day to prevent acute stress ulcer bleeding.
