Protonix 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 Protonix 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 Protonix 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 Protonix 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 Protonix 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 Protonix will affect an unborn baby. Animal studies have shown no harm. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Protonix is secreted in breastmilk, but it is not known whether Protonix will affect a nursing infant. Tell your doctor you are nursing before taking Protonix.
Protonix is not approved for use by anyone younger than 5 years old.
