PANTOCID 40 MG 15 Tablets

Pantocid

Pantocid  belongs to the class of drugs known as Proton pump inhibitor which reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. It treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach ulcer, Zollinger Ellison syndrome (overproduction of acid due to pancreatic tumor), duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer and Crohn’s Disease-associated Ulcers.

Pantocid  helps in reducing the stomach acid by blocking the actions of an enzyme (H+/K+ ATPase or gastric proton pump). This proton pump lies in the cells of the stomach wall responsible for the release of gastric acid secretion damaging tissues in the food pipe, stomach and duodenum. Pantocid  prevents the release of stomach acid and relieves symptoms of food pipe lining inflammation (esophagitis) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn.

Pantocid  can be prescribed to the adults and children aged 12 years and over. It is better to take Pantocid  an hour before a meal. Pantocid  should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush, or break it. Besides this, Pantocid  is also available in liquid form for those who cannot swallow tablets or capsules. Do not take Pantocid  for more than 4 weeks of duration without consulting the doctor. You can increase the efficacy of Pantocid  by taking a small meal or snacks frequently. Try to avoid caffeine-containing beverages (coffee, tea), spicy/deep fried/processed foods, carbonated beverages, acidic foods like citrus fruits/vegetables (tomatoes).

An adult taking Pantocid  might have common side effects like headache, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, flatulence, dizziness, and arthralgia (joint pain). In the case of children taking Pantocid  might report upper respiratory tract infections (URI), headache, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, and abdominal pain.  These side effects are temporary and may get resolve after some time however if this side persists contact the doctor.

Pantocid  is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers but should be taken only after consulting a doctor. Tell your doctor if you have stomach or intestinal cancer, liver problem, allergic to Pantocid  or will have an endoscopy in the future. Prolonged intake of Pantocid  may cause deficiency of Vitamin B12 and low level of calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D leading to osteoporosis.

Uses of Pantocid

Hyperacidity, Heartburn, Peptic ulcer

Medicinal Benefits

Pantocid  is effective at healing erosive esophagitis (inflammation of food pipe), relieving symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer and Crohn’s Disease-associated Ulcers. Pantocid  works by irreversibly blocking the proton pump gate (which secretes stomach acid). It can be prescribed to all age groups including special populations like the elderly, pregnant, lactating mother, kidney and liver disease patients.

Directions for Use

It is better to take Pantocid  an hour before a meal. Pantocid  should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush, or break it. Besides this, Pantocid  is also available in liquid form for those who cannot swallow tablets or capsules. Do not take Pantocid  for more than 4 weeks of duration without consulting the doctor.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Pantocid

An adult taking Pantocid  might have common side effects like,

Headache.

Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting.

Flatulence.

Dizziness.

Arthralgia (joint pain).

In the case of children taking Pantocid  might report,

Upper respiratory tract infections (URI).

Headache.

Fever.

Diarrhea

vomiting.

Rash.

Abdominal pain.

These side effects are temporary and may get resolve after some time however if this side persists contact the doctor.

Drug Warnings

You should avoid taking Pantoprazole if you are allergic to Pantoprazole or proton pump inhibitors, have gastric cancer, liver disease, low magnesium level (osteoporosis), low vitamin B12, pregnant or planning for pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers. Pantoprazole may interact with a blood thinner (warfarin), antifungal (ketoconazole), anti-HIV drug (atazanavir, nelfinavir), iron supplements, ampicillin antibiotic, anti-cancer drug (methotrexate). Let your doctor know if you are taking these medicines. Prolonged intake of Pantoprazole may cause lupus erythematosus (an inflammatory condition in which the immune system attacks its own tissues), Vitamin B12, and magnesium deficiency. Intake of Pantoprazole may mask the symptom of gastric cancer, so if you have any severe stomach pain or gastric bleeding (blood in mucous or stool) immediately consult the doctor.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction: Pantoprazole may interact with a blood thinner (clopidogrel, warfarin), antifungal (ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole), anti-HIV drug (atazanavir, nelfinavir), iron supplements, antibiotic (ampicillin, rifampicin), heart medicine (digoxin) and anti-cancer drug (methotrexate). Let your doctor know if you are taking these medicines.

Drug-Food Interaction: Pantoprazole interact with St John’s wort plant that is used as an anti-depressant. This plant may affect the working of Pantoprazole. So avoid its intake with Pantoprazole.

Drug-Disease Interaction: Pantoprazole should be not given in patients with C. difficile induced colitis, liver disease, bone fractures, low Vitamin B12 (anemia), low magnesium (hypomagnesemia).

Safety Advice

ALCOHOL

Drinking alcohol with Pantoprazole may cause dehydration and elevate the level of stomach acid thereby decreasing its efficiency. So try to avoid, limit alcohol or contact doctor before intake of Pantoprazole.

PREGNANCY

It is not known whether Pantoprazole affects the baby or not. So, contact a doctor before intake of Pantoprazole. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.

BREAST FEEDING

Pantoprazole passes into the breast milk. However, no evidence of risk has been reported. Please consult your doctor before intake of Pantoprazole. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.

DRIVING

In some cases, Pantoprazole may cause dizziness, sleepy, or blur vision. If you observe these symptoms do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you feel better.

LIVER

Pantoprazole should be taken with precaution in patients with liver disease.

KIDNEY

Patients with kidney disease should consult a doctor before taking Pantoprazole.

Habit Forming :   No

Diet & Lifestyle Advise

Avoid intake of acid or heartburn triggering foods or drinks like onions, peppermint, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes and high-fat and spicy foods.

Before going to sleep try to raise your bedhead so that your head and chest are higher than your feet. Do not use piles of pillows, instead, one raised block is fine. This will not allow the stomach acid to backflow through your food pipe.

Avoid taking alcohol and smoking cigarette. Alcohol can raise the level of production of stomach acid leading to heartburn and acid reflux. On the other hand, nicotine smoking damages the valve (sphincter) which prevents backflow of the stomach acid back into the food pipe.

Include high fiber containing foods, berries, cherries, leafy green veggies (kale, spinach) and black peppers in your meal. These foods are full of antioxidant, calcium and vitamin B 12 that can help cope with the long term effects of the medicine. Fermented dairy products like miso, sauerkraut, and kimchi contain probiotics which help in the prevention of excess stomach acid production. Cranberry juice can be beneficial in the peptic ulcer and H Pyroli infection.

Avoid regular sitting continuously, as it can increase stomach acid production. Try to take a break of 5 minutes in 1 hour by brisk walking or stretching.

Special Advise

Individuals at risk for osteoporosis-related fractures should receive an adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D.

Regular monitoring of vitamin B-12, rarely, Pantoprazole have caused vitamin B-12 deficiency. The risk is increased if they are taken every day for a long time.

Pantoprazole may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including urine test for tetrahydrocannabinol-THC, blood test to find certain tumors), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you are using Pantoprazole.

Other Information :   This item is Not Returnable.

Patients Concern

Normally a thick layer of mucous protects the stomach against its own acid secretion. But, in long run, it gets eroded by excessive stomach acid production leading to complications like GERD, peptic ulcer, and Zollinger Ellison syndrome. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a gastrointestinal disorder that occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the food pipe (esophagus). This backflow (acid reflux) irritates the food pipe that causes heartburn. On the other hand, peptic ulcer is a painful condition followed by the development of sores or ulcers in the stomach lining or duodenum (first part of the small intestine) (the duodenum). Zollinger Ellison syndrome is a rare condition in which a gastrin-secreting tumor of the pancreas causes excessive acid production leading to peptic ulcers.

FAQs

Prolonged intake of Pantoprazole may lead to atrophic gastritis (inflammation of stomach cells), Vitamin B12 deficiency and weakening of bones or osteoporosis (loss of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D). Your doctor may prescribe calcium, vitamin D or hemoglobin enhancing medications to cope with long term side effects.

Pantoprazole is not prescribed for stomach cancer. Do not take Pantoprazole until your doctor has prescribed you. Pantoprazole is only indicated for the treatment of hyperacidity, acid reflux symptoms (GERD), heartburn and Zollinger Ellison syndrome.

Gas and acidity are two different common discomforts. Acidity is caused when improper functioning of the valve (sphincter) is located at the junction of the stomach and food pipe. As a result stomach acid backflows and enters the upper part of the food pipe causing heartburn. On the other hand, gas is the result of the digestion of the food and drinks eliminating gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen, methane, etc. from the body.

Pantoprazole can alter certain medical tests like neuroendocrine tumors (secretin stimulation test), and urine screening tests for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). So before undergoing such diagnostics test contact your doctor.

Prolonged intake of Pantoprazole may weaken your bone and lower hemoglobin level. Your doctor may prescribe you Vitamin B12 for enhancing hemoglobin and calcium/vitamin D/magnesium supplements for bone health.

Pantoprazole prevents excess production of stomach acid causing acid reflux and heartburn. If blood is coming in your stool or mucous immediately contact the doctor.