Pantoprazole is not for the immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.
Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a general ill feeling.
Long-term treatment with pantoprazole may also make it harder for your body to absorb vitamin B-12, resulting in a deficiency of this vitamin. Talk with your doctor if you need long-term pantoprazole treatment and you have concerns about vitamin B-12 deficiency.
Pantoprazole can cause kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you are urinating less than usual, or if you have blood in your urine.
Diarrhea may be a sign of a new infection. Call your doctor if you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it.
Pantoprazole may cause new or worsening symptoms of lupus. Tell your doctor if you have joint pain and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.
You may be more likely to have a broken bone while taking this medicine long term or more than once per day.
Before taking this medicine
Heartburn can mimic early symptoms of a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder and you feel anxious or light-headed.
You should not use this medicine if:
you also take medicine that contains rilpivirine (Edurant, Complera, Juluca, Odefsey);
if you had breathing problems, kidney problems, or a severe allergic reaction after taking pantoprazole in the past; or
you are allergic to pantoprazole or similar medicines (lansoprazole, omeprazole, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and others).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
low levels of magnesium in your blood;
lupus; or
osteoporosis or low bone mineral density.
You may be more likely to have a broken bone while using pantoprazole long-term or more than once per day. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy, especially if you are an adult over 50.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Pantoprazole is not approved for use by anyone younger than 5 years old.
How should I use pantoprazole?
Take pantoprazole exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Use the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time needed to treat your condition.
Pantoprazole is taken by mouth (oral) or given as an infusion into a vein (injection). A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the injection by yourself.
Pantoprazole tablets are taken by mouth, with or without food. The oral granules should be taken 30 minutes before a meal.
Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. Swallow it whole.
The oral granules should be mixed with applesauce or apple juice and given either by mouth or through a nasogastric (NG) tube.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse while you are using this medicine.
Pantoprazole can cause false results with certain medical tests. Tell the doctor or laboratory staff that you are using this medicine.
Pantoprazole may also affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use this medicine.
Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
