|
What is the most important information I should know about
pantoprazole?
|
|
• |
Do not stop taking pantoprazole even if you begin to feel
better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated. |
|
• |
Do not crush, chew, or split the tablets. Swallow them whole.
They are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the
body. |
|
• |
Pantoprazole decreases the amount of acid produced in the
stomach. |
|
• |
Pantoprazole is used to treat damage to the esophagus
associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other
conditions involving excessive stomach acid production (e.g.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome). |
|
• |
Pantoprazole may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
|
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
pantoprazole?
|
|
• |
Talk to your doctor before taking pantoprazole if you have
liver disease. You may not be able to take pantoprazole, or you may
require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if
you have liver disease. |
|
• |
Pantoprazole is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means
that it is unlikely to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take
pantoprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. |
|
• |
It is not known whether pantoprazole passes into breast milk.
Do not take pantoprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. |
|
How should I take pantoprazole?
|
|
• |
Take pantoprazole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to you. |
|
• |
Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
|
• |
Pantoprazole can be taken with or without food. |
|
• |
Do not crush, chew, or split the tablets. Swallow them whole.
They are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in the
body. |
|
• |
It is important to take pantoprazole regularly to get the
most benefit. |
|
• |
Do not stop taking pantoprazole even if you begin to feel
better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated. |
|
• |
Store pantoprazole at room temperature away from moisture
and heat. |
|
What happens if I miss a dose?
|
|
• |
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it
is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the
next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this
medication unless your doctor directs otherwise. |
|
What happens if I overdose?
|
|
• |
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
|
• |
Symptoms of a pantoprazole overdose are not known. |
|
What should I avoid while taking pantoprazole?
|
|
• |
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity
while taking pantoprazole, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. |
|
What are the possible side effects of pantoprazole?
|
|
• |
Serious side effects from pantoprazole are rare. Stop taking
pantoprazole and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives) to pantoprazole. |
|
• |
Less serious side effects from pantoprazole are also
uncommon. Continue to take pantoprazole and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
| |
· |
upset stomach or diarrhea; |
|
• |
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
|
What other drugs will affect pantoprazole?
|
|
• |
Before taking pantoprazole, tell your doctor if you are
taking any of the following medicines: |
| |
· |
ketoconazole (Nizoral), |
| |
· |
ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), or |
| |
· |
iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others). |
|
• |
You may not be able to take pantoprazole, or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you
are taking any of the medicines listed above. |
|
• |
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
pantoprazole. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals,
and herbal products. |
|
Where can I get more information?
|
|
• |
Your pharmacist has additional information about
pantoprazole written for health professionals that you may read. |
|
• |
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach
of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
|
• |
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided
by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete,
but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained
herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for
use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug
information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed
to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and
not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug
or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given
patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of
healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.02. Revision Date: 1/
23/ 04. |
