Pantoprazole GR 40 mg

Category- Allopathy

Medicine Highlights

Pantoprazole Summary

Pantoprazole GR 40 mg is a medication used to treat acid-related issues like acid reflux, ulcers, and conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It works by blocking acid production in the stomach and usually starts working within a few hours. Take it exactly as prescribed, ideally at the same time each day. Don’t stop taking it without talking to your doctor, even if you feel better. Common side effects include headache, nausea, stomach pain, and gas, while more serious side effects like allergic reactions or muscle cramps are rare but possible.

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any allergies. Pantoprazole may interact with certain medicines, alcohol, tobacco, and even foods like cranberry, so be cautious. Store it in a cool, dry place out of children’s reach. If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it is close to your next one. In case of overdose, symptoms like tremors or confusion may occur, so seek medical help right away.

Pantoprazole Uses

Pantoprazole GR 40 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the class of proton pump inhibitor medicines. It is used for following indications: 

1. Ulcer in oesophagus (erosive oesophagitis) 
2. Excessive acid production (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome) 

Directions for use

1. Take pantoprazole exactly as prescribed by your doctor, regularly at the same time each day. 
2. Do not stop taking pantoprazole without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. 
3. If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one, then just skip it. 

Pantoprazole side effects

More Common

1. Headache 
2. Diarrhea 
3. Nausea or vomiting 
4. Stomach pain or abdominal discomfort 
5. Gas 
6. Dizziness 
7. Joint pain 
8. Fever or rash (more common in children) 

Less Common

1. Blurred vision 
2. Dry mouth 
3. Flushed, dry skin 
4. Fruit-like breath odor 
5. Increased hunger 
6. Increased thirst 
7. Increased urination 
8. Nausea 
9. Stomach pain 
10. Sweating 
11. Trouble breathing 
12. Unexplained weight loss 
13. Vomiting 
14. Incidence not known 
15. Absence of or decrease in body movements 
16. Black, tarry stools 
17. Blindness 
18. Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin 
19. Bloating 
20. Bloody or cloudy urine 
21. Bloody, black, or tarry stools 
22. Blurred vision 
23. Chest pain or tightness 
24. Chills 
25. Clay-colored stools 
26. Confusion 
27. Constipation 
28. Continuous ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears 
29. Cough 
30. Dark urine 
31. Decreased vision 
32. Diarrhea 
33. Difficulty with speaking 
34. Difficulty with swallowing 
35. Dizziness or lightheadedness 
36. Drowsiness 
37. Fast heartbeat 
38. Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings 
39. Fever 
40. Greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine 
41. Headache 
42. Hearing loss 
43. High fever 
44. Hives, itching, or skin rash 
45. Indigestion 
46. Joint pain 
47. Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals 
48. Light-colored stools 
49. Loss of appetite 
50. Mood or mental changes 
51. Muscle cramp, pain, stiffness, spasms, or twitching 
52. Muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face 
53. Numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet 
54. Painful or difficult urination 
55. Pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back 
56. Pale skin 
57. Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue 
58. Red skin lesions, often with a purple center 
59. Red, irritated eyes 
60. Seizures 
61. Sensation of spinning 
62. Sore throat 
63. Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth 
64. Stomach pain, continuing 
65. Swelling of the feet or lower legs 
66. Swollen glands 
67. Trembling 
68. Unexplained bleeding or bruising 
69. Unpleasant breath odor 
70. Unusual tiredness or weakness 
71. Vomiting of blood 
72. Yellow eyes or skin 

How Pantoprazole works

Pantoprazole acts like a cork in a bottle, blocking the acid-releasing gate known as the H+/K+ ATPase pump. This action reduces acid release in the stomach, with its effects typically observed within 2 to 6 hours. 

Safety Measure and Warning

Allergy/Hypersensitivity

If you have a history of allergy to pantoprazole, inform your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy

If you are planning to conceive or are pregnant, inform your doctor. Pantoprazole is not usually recommended during pregnancy due to limited information on its safety.

Breastfeeding

Pantoprazole is minimally present in breast milk; however, its effects on breast-fed children are not yet fully understood and require further study.

Pantoprazole Interaction with Other Medicines

Avoid taking pantoprazole GR 40 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal: 

Pantoprazole Interaction with Food Product

Avoid consuming cranberry, alcohol and tobacco with pantoprazole as it can increase or decrease the effect of medicine.

Storage

1. The medicine should be stored at room temperature  
2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture  
3. Keep away from the reach of children 

Pantoprazole Chemical Structure

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name- 

5-(difluoromethoxy)-2-(((3,4-dimethoxy-2-pyridinyl)methyl)sulfinyl)-1H-benzimidazole 

Intake routine/cycle

Daily Dose

Take pantoprazole exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.

Overdose

For humans, there is no specific dose established to determine the exact threshold beyond which pantoprazole becomes unsafe. However, in cases of overdose, symptoms such as hypoactivity, tremors, and ataxia may occur.

FAQ’s

1. Why is pantoprazole taken before food?

Pantoprazole is taken before food because food delays the absorption of the tablet by approximately three to four hours, which can reduce its effectiveness. 

2. Why is pantoprazole given with antibiotics?

Pantoprazole is given with antibiotics to treat ulcers caused by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). The combination helps eradicate the bacteria and promotes ulcer healing. 

3. How much pantoprazole can I take in a day?

The dose of pantoprazole depends on the condition being treated and its severity. Below are common conditions and their typical dosages: 

Heartburn and acid reflux: 20 mg/day 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): 20 mg to 40 mg/day 

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: Up to 80 mg/day 

Reference

1. NHS. Pantoprazole [Internet]. Available from. 
2. Procter & Gamble. Pantoprazole (Pantoloc) [Internet]. Available from. 
3. Ochoa D, Román M, Cabaleiro T, Saiz-Rodríguez M, Mejía G, Abad-Santos F. Effect of food on the pharmacokinetics of omeprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole. BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology. 2020 Dec;21:1-9. Available from. 
4. Vaira D, Zullo A, Vakil N, Gatta L, Ricci C, Perna F, Hassan C, Bernabucci V, Tampieri A, Morini S. Sequential therapy versus standard triple-drug therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a randomized trial. Annals of internal medicine. 2007 Apr 17;146(8):556-63. Available from. 
5. NHS. Pantoprazole: Uses, Side Effects, and Dosage. NHS. [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 9]. Available from. 

Mahak Phartyal

Mahak Phartyal completed her bachelor’s in pharmacy from Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University. She previously worked as a Medical Writer at Meril Life Sciences, where she wrote numerous scientific abstracts for conferences such as India Live 2024 and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). During her college years, she developed a keen research interest and published an article titled “Preliminary Phytochemical Screening, Physicochemical and Fluorescence Analysis of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis and Syzygium cumini Leaves.