Pantoprazole – action, indications, contraindications, dosage, side effects

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Pantoprazole is a derivative of benzimidazole. It is a proton pump inhibitor designed to reduce the production of acid in the stomach. Pantoprazole is a pharmacologically inactive substance which becomes active in an acidic environment. What are the indications for the use of drugs containing pantoprazole?

Problems with the digestive system caused by excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid are quite common today. Limiting its secretion is necessary for the healing of the damaged mucosa of the stomach, duodenum and esophagus.

Pantoprazole – action

Pantoprazole is an active substance and a derivative of benzimidazole. This substance belongs to the group of proton pump inhibitors. Its task is to block the proton pump enzyme, which is found in the lining of the stomach. In this way, pantoprazole is expected to reduce the secretion of hydrochloric acid and gastrin.

Pantoprazole is quickly absorbed and can be taken with or without food. Symptoms should subside after approximately 2 weeks of taking pantoprazole.

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Pantoprazole – indications

Pantoprazole is recommended in the case of:

  1. mild forms of reflux oesophagitis – treatment is then aimed at relieving symptoms such as heartburn and acidity;
  2. chronic treatment of reflux oesophagitis and its prevention;
  3. the prevention of gastric and duodenal ulcers;
  4. treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Pantoprazole – contraindications

There are situations in which pantoprazole cannot be administered despite treatment initiation. It is absolutely impossible to use this type of preparation if the patient is allergic to pantoprazole or other ingredients of the drug.

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Pantoprazole – dosage

Pantoprazole is administered orally and intravenously, and its dose depends on the disease, age, weight of the patient and accompanying diseases.

For tablets, pantoprazole should be taken 1 hour before a meal, swallowed whole with a sufficient amount of water. The tablets should not be chewed, crushed or crushed. In the case of intravenous administration, pantoprazole is administered only when the oral form cannot be used.

The dose for the treatment of reflux oesophagitis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer is 20 mg pantoprazole daily (the dose can be doubled if, for example, the disease comes back).

In the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, pantoprazole is used in combination with appropriate antibiotics. The dosage depends on the eradication schedule used. For the treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (increased secretion of gastric acid due to excessive secretion of the hormone gastrin), treatment should be started with a dose of 80 mg pantoprazole daily. If necessary, the dose can be periodically increased to 160 mg daily.

In patients who require long-term treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), pantoprazole is 20 mg daily to prevent ulceration in the stomach or duodenum. Pantoprazole is not used in children under 12 years of age due to insufficient data on its use in this age group.

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Pantoprazole – precautions

Some diseases and conditions are a contraindication to pantoprazole administration or require a change in the dose of the substance. Occasionally, you may need check-ups while taking pantoprazole.

Before pantoprazole is given, possible malignancies must be ruled out, as this substance may mask symptoms and delay diagnosis. Therefore, you should see your doctor if your symptoms change or you experience weight loss, exhausting vomiting (also with blood), anemia, dark stools or diagnosed stomach ulcers.

If the symptoms persist after 4 weeks of using pantoprazole, it is worth consulting a doctor and undergoing checkups. Long-term use of pantoprazole also requires medical supervision.

Vitamin B12 levels should also be monitored, as pantoprazole may reduce the absorption of this vitamin. More frequent than usual bacterial gastrointestinal infections, such as Salmonella, Camphylobacter, or Clostridium defficile, may also occur.

They should also be careful about the preparation, among others people with galactose intolerance or lactase deficiency. Pantoprazole has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, a substance may have an individual effect on a person. If you notice any side effects after taking pantoprazole, please consult your doctor.

It is not recommended to take pantoprazole and atanazavir at the same time. In case of taking both drugs, it is necessary to monitor the presence of the virus and the dose of pantoprazole should not exceed 20 mg per day

In the case of long-term treatment with pantoprazole or taking additional medications that may cause hypomagnesaemia (e.g. digoxin, diuretics), blood magnesium levels should be checked periodically.

Pantoprazole used for a long time (over a year) may slightly increase the risk of fracture in the hip, wrist or spine. Therefore, in people at risk of osteoporosis taking pantoprazole, an appropriate dose of calcium and vitamin D should be supplemented prophylactically.

Pantoprazole is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. After oral administration, the maximum concentration is reached 2–2,5 hours after taking the drug. The bioavailability of pantoprazole is approximately 77. After intravenous administration, the effect starts immediately and the bioavailability is 100%. Pantoprazole is metabolized in the liver. Approx. 80% of the dose is excreted as metabolites in the urine, the remainder in the faeces.

Pantoprazole is found in drugs such as: Anesteloc, Contracid, Nolpaza 20 mg, Nolpaza 40 mg, Panrazol, Ranloc.

Pantoprazole – interactions

Pantoprazole may reduce the absorption of drugs with a gastric pH dependent bioavailability. Pantoprazole treatment should be stopped for at least 5 days before CgA (chromogranin, produced in gastrointestinal tumor cells) levels is measured, as pantoprazole affects chromogramin levels.

Pantoprazole – pregnancy

Due to the lack of data on pregnancy, pantoprazole should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

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Pantoprazole – breastfeeding

Pantoprazole passes into breast milk. Pantoprazole should only be used during lactation if, in the doctor’s opinion, the benefit to the mother potentially outweighs the risk to the baby.

Pantoprazole – side effects

Pantoprazole, like any other substance, may cause side effects, but they do not occur in every patient. The most common side effects include pain and various gastrointestinal ailments, dizziness, visual disturbances or hypersensitivity reactions.

1 Comment

  1. makan ubat pantoprazole hampir setahun,rasa pedih perut, lemah otot dan lelah

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