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Description
Pantoprazole is a selective “proton pump inhibitor”, a medicine which reduces the amount of acid
produced in your stomach. It is used for treating acid-related diseases of the stomach and intestine.
Pantoprazole is used for treating:
Adults and adolescents 12 years of age and above:
–
Reflux oesophagitis. An inflammation of your oesophagus (the tube which connects your
throat to your stomach) accompanied by the regurgitation of stomach acid.
Adults:
–
An infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori in patients with duodenal ulcers and
stomach ulcers in combination with two antibiotics (Eradication therapy). The aim is to get rid
of the bacteria and so reduce the likelihood of these ulcers returning.
–
Stomach and duodenal ulcers.
–
Zollinger-Ellison-Syndrome and other conditions producing too much acid in the stomach.
2.
What you need to know before you take Pantoprazole
Do not take Pantoprazole
if you are allergic to pantoprazole or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in
section 6).
if you are allergic to medicines containing other proton pump inhibitors.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Pantoprazole
if you have severe liver problems. Please tell your doctor if you ever had problems with your
liver in the past. He will check your liver enzymes more frequently, especially when you are
taking pantoprazole as a long-term treatment. In the case of a rise of liver enzymes the treatment
should be stopped.
if you have reduced body stores or risk factors for reduced vitamin B12 and receive pantoprazole
long-term treatment. As with all acid reducing agents, pantoprazole may lead to a reduced
absorption of vitamin B12.
if you are taking HIV protease inhibitors such as atazanavir (for the treatment of HIV-infection)
at the same time as pantoprazole, ask your doctor for specific advice.
if you have ever had a skin reaction after treatment with a medicine similar to pantoprazole that
reduces stomach acid.
if you are due to have a specific blood test (Chromogranin A).
If you get a rash on your skin, especially in areas exposed to the sun tell your doctor as soon as you
can, as you may need to stop your treatment with pantoprazole. Remember to also mention any other
ill-effects like pain in your joints.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
an unintentional loss of weight
repeated vomiting
difficulty in swallowing
vomiting blood
you look pale and feel weak (anaemia)
you notice blood in your stools
severe and/or persistent diarrhoea, as pantoprazole has been associated with a small increase in
infectious diarrhoea
Your doctor may decide that you need some tests to rule out malignant disease because pantoprazole
also alleviates the symptoms of cancer and could cause delay in diagnosing it. If your symptoms
continue in spite of your treatment, further investigations will be considered.
If you take pantoprazole on a long-term basis (longer than 1 year) your doctor will probably keep you
under regular surveillance. You should report any new and exceptional symptoms and circumstances
whenever you see your doctor.
Taking a proton pump inhibitor like pantoprazole, especially over a period of more than one year, may
slightly increase your risk of fracture in the hip, wrist or spine. Tell your doctor if you have
osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids (which can increase the risk of osteoporosis).
Other medicines and Pantoprazole
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines
as Pantoprazole may influence the effectiveness of these medicines.
