Brand Names: Protonix

Generic Name: pantoprazole (Pronunciation: pan TOE pra zole)

• What is pantoprazole (Protonix)?
• What are the possible side effects of pantoprazole (Protonix)?
• What is the most important information I should know about pantoprazole (Protonix)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pantoprazole (Protonix)?
• How should I take pantoprazole (Protonix)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Protonix)?
• What happens if I overdose (Protonix)?
• What should I avoid while taking pantoprazole (Protonix)?
• What other drugs will affect pantoprazole (Protonix)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is pantoprazole (Protonix)?

Pantoprazole is in a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. It decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Pantoprazole is used to treat erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid), and other conditions involving excess stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Pantoprazole is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Pantoprazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Pantoprazole 20 mg Tab-TEV

oval, yellow, imprinted with 93/11

Pantoprazole 40 mg Tab-TEV

oval, yellow, imprinted with 93/12

Protonix 20 mg

oval, yellow, imprinted with P20

Protonix 40 mg

oval, yellow, imprinted with PROTONIX

What are the possible side effects of pantoprazole (Protonix)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using pantoprazole and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of low magnesium such as:

• dizziness, confusion;
• fast or uneven heart rate;
• jerking muscle movements;
• feeling jittery;
• muscle cramps, muscle weakness or limp feeling;
• cough or choking feeling; or
• seizure (convulsions).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• weight changes;
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• gas, stomach pain;
• dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
• joint pain;
• sleep problems (insomnia); or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Protonix (pantoprazole) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about pantoprazole (Protonix)?

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.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to pantoprazole or to any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole (Albenza), or mebendazole (Vermox).

Pantoprazole is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.

Pantoprazole should not be taken together with atazanavir (Reyataz) or nelfinavir (Viracept). Tell your doctor if you are taking either of these medications to treat HIV or AIDS.

Some conditions must be treated long-term with pantoprazole. The chronic use of pantoprazole has caused stomach cancer in animal studies, but it is not known if this medication would have the same effects in humans. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk of developing stomach cancer.

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.