* Protonix is a brand (trade) name for pantoprazole. Pantoprazole
reduces the production of stomach acid by irreversibly blocking the
actions of an enzyme responsible for acid production, called H+/K+
ATPase (also known as the gastric proton pump). The proton pump is
located in the parietal cells of the stomach wall. Both baseline
gastric acid secretion and stimulated gastric acid secretion are
affected; the degree that they are affected to depends upon the
dose of pantoprazole.
* This allows damaged tissue in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum
to heal.
* Pantoprazole belongs to the class of medicines known as proton pump
inhibitors (PPIs).
Upsides
* Effective at healing erosive esophagitis (a severe inflammation of
the lining of the esophagus - the tube that carries food from the
mouth to the stomach) and relieving symptoms of gastro-esophageal
reflux disease (also known as heartburn).
* Useful in the treatment of hypersecretory conditions such as
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
* Usually, only up to 8 weeks of treatment is required; although may
be used for up to 12 months to maintain healing of erosive
esophagitis.
* No dosage adjustment is needed in people with kidney or liver
disease or in the elderly.
* Protonix is available as a generic under the name pantoprazole.
Downsides
If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or
have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to
experience include:
* A headache, fever, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, cold-like symptoms
(a sore throat, congested nose, sneezing), joint pain, and
flatulence.
* May also interfere with some laboratory tests.
* PPIs (including Protonix) have been associated with an increased
risk of osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine.
People on high-dose or long-term therapy are more at risk.
* Has also been associated with other conditions such as lupus
erythematosus and magnesium deficiency.
* Prolonged treatment (greater than 24-36 months) may cause vitamin
B12 deficiency. The risk is greater in women, people aged less than
30, and with higher dosages.
* Administration of PPIs (such as Protonix), has been associated with
acute interstitial nephritis, a severe inflammation of the kidneys.
May occur on medication initiation or at any point of therapy.
Symptoms include fever, rash and generalized aches and pains.
Discontinue Protonix and seek medical advice.
* Has been associated with a greater risk of Clostridium
difficile-associated diarrhea. See your doctor if you develop
diarrhea that does not improve.
* Will not provide instantaneous relief from heartburn symptoms.
Antacids may be used to relieve these symptoms.
* Long-term use in animal studies has been associated with stomach
cancer; it is not certain if Protonix has this effect in humans.
* Heartburn can cause similar symptoms to a heart attack. Seek urgent
medical attention if you have chest pain, or pain that extends down
your arm or up your neck, nausea, sweating and you feel unwell.
* Protonix may not be suitable for some people including those with
severe liver disease, osteoporosis or low bone mineral density, or
with low levels of magnesium in their blood. Not suitable for
children under five.
* May interact with some other medications including antivirals used
to treat HIV, methotrexate and sometimes warfarin. Protonix can
also reduce the absorption of drugs that are dependant on a certain
gastric pH for their absorption.
Notes: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical
conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes,
seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of
developing a wider range of side effects. For a complete list of all
side effects, [84]click here.
Bottom Line
Protonix is used for the treatment of conditions associated with
excessive acid production in the esophagus and stomach. Long-term use
may be associated with magnesium and vitamin B12 deficiency and an
increased risk of bone fracture.
Tips
* Protonix tablets can be taken with or without food. Do not crush,
break or chew the tablet, swallow whole. Protonix oral granules
should be taken 30 minutes before a meal; sprinkle directly onto
one teaspoonful of applesauce or apple juice, stir and swallow
straight away.Swallow delayed-release tablets whole; do not crush
or chew.
* Usually taken once a day. May be taken with or without food.
* If using delayed-release granules, sprinkle intact granules on
applesauce ONLY (do not use any other type of liquid including
water). Swallow whole without chewing granules 30 minutes before a
meal.
* May cause a false positive result on a drug screening test.
* Seek urgent medical advice if you have severe stomach pain, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, blood in urine or urinating more
frequently, or symptoms of low magnesium (confusion, dizziness,
tremors, muscle spasms, abnormal heart rate).
* See your doctor if you develop any unexplained fever, rash
(particularly one that gets worse after you have been in the sun),
new or worsening joint pain, persistent diarrhea or generalized
aches and pains.
Response and Effectiveness
* Peak effects happen within two and a half hours and start to
decline after 12 hours although may last for over 24 hours.
References
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