A problem that many people in our country have is this stomach inflammation, chest inflammation, or what we call "gastritis". Sometimes it feels like the food you eat goes up your throat without being digested in your stomach, right? In such cases, a medicine that your doctor often recommends is Pantoprazole. It comes in the form of tablets as well as granules that are dissolved in water and drunk. Let's learn more about this medicine today, especially this type of granule.
Simply put, what is this medicine called Pantoprazole?
Pantoprazole is a medicine that is used to treat heartburn, stomach ulcers, and reflux disease. Simply put, it works by reducing the production of stomach acid in your stomach. This helps control symptoms like heartburn and pain. This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called PPIs, or Proton Pump Inhibitors . You may have heard of it called Omeprazole or Esomeprazole, and it is also in the same family.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before you start taking Pantoprazole, it is essential to inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions, as this information may help determine whether the dosage or medication is appropriate for you.
| Health condition or opportunity | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Liver disease | If liver function is impaired, the dosage may need to be adjusted as it may take longer for the medication to leave the body. |
| Low levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium in the blood | Long-term use of this medication may further decrease the levels of these minerals. |
| Lupus disease | This medication may sometimes worsen lupus symptoms. |
| Allergies to Pantoprazole or other medicines, foods, or dyes | This is very important to prevent allergies. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | It is essential to seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| Breastfeeding | You should talk to your doctor about whether the medicine passes to your baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use these granules?
This is where many people make mistakes. There is a correct way to use this type of medicine.
Most importantly: This medicine should always be taken 30 minutes before meals . Taking it on an empty stomach gives the best results.
Okay, now let's see how to mix this. You can take this in two ways.
1. With applesauce: Place the granules from the medicine packet on a teaspoon of applesauce and swallow without stirring.
2. With Apple Juice: Place the tablets in a small cup and add about a teaspoon of apple juice to it. Stir for about 5 seconds and drink quickly. Then, add some more apple juice to the same cup and finish drinking that too. This will ensure that all the medicine has gone into the stomach.
Important: These tablets should only be mixed with applesauce or apple juice. Do not mix them with water, any other liquid, or food.
Take the medicine for the entire period prescribed by your doctor, without skipping a single day. Even if you feel that the pain has subsided, do not stop taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to.
What if I miss a dose of medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Pantoprazole can interact with some other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking, including vitamins and herbal remedies.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Pantoprazole should never be taken with these medications. | |
| Some medications used to treat HIV | Atazanavir, Nelfinavir |
| The doctor should be informed as interactions with these medications may occur. | |
| Medications to prevent blood clots | Warfarin |
| Medicines for cancer and arthritis | Methotrexate |
| Medicines for fungal infections | Ketoconazole, Itraconazole |
| Iron salts | Pantoprazole can reduce iron absorption. |
| Other medications | Ampicillin, Mycophenolate mofetil, Erlotinib |
Other things to consider when taking the medicine
- Symptoms:It may take a few days for your stomach pain to subside, but if your condition doesn't improve or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
- Diarrhea: If you have watery diarrhea that lasts for more than two days, call your doctor immediately instead of taking over-the-counter medication.
- Long-term use: Some problems may occur when this medicine is used continuously for a long time, that is, for more than a year.
- Weakened bones: There is a risk of bones becoming a little weaker, which means they are more likely to break (bone fractures). Talk to your doctor about your bone health.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: The body may not be able to absorb vitamin B12. This can cause numbness in the hands and feet, dizziness, and muscle weakness. Discuss the foods and vitamins you are taking with your doctor.
- Stomach polyps: Small growths (polyps) can form on the walls of the stomach. These are usually not cancerous. However, if you have pain when you press on your stomach, nausea, or black or bloody stools, tell your doctor.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Pantoprazole can cause side effects in some people. Some of these can be serious, so it's important to be aware of them.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Kidney injury | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Low magnesium levels | Muscle pain or twitching, unusual weakness, rapid heartbeat, tremors. |
| Severe diarrhea, fever | Persistent, watery diarrhea and fever. |
| Severe skin reactions | Redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin, sores inside the mouth. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | General headache. |
| Vomiting | Mild vomiting. |
| Diarrhea | Mild diarrhea. |
Overdosing and storing medication
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
When storing medicine, keep it out of the reach of children and pets . Store at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius), in a dry place away from light and moisture. Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Always take Pantoprazole 30 minutes before meals.
- If the medicine is in the form of granules, it should only be mixed with applesauce or apple juice. Do not mix it with water or anything else.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- Do not stop taking the medication without your doctor's advice just because your symptoms subside.
- Seek immediate medical attention if severe diarrhea, allergic reactions, or other serious side effects occur.
- If you are using this medication long-term, talk to your doctor about the possible risks.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is the Mivacurium / Mivacron vaccine used for in the hospital?
This is no ordinary medicine! This is a very powerful muscle relaxant that doctors inject into a vein (IV) to temporarily 'numb/paralyze' all the muscles in the patient's body (even the breathing muscles) during serious and major surgery!
💬 How does this injection (Mivacurium) paralyze the entire body during surgery?
Even to move one of our fingers, the nerves need to send a message called 'Acetylcholine' to the muscle. As soon as this injection enters the blood, all the gates (Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors) in those muscles are blocked/closed 100% and locked forcibly. Since there is no way for the message to go, the patient cannot move anything/urinate during the operation and his body becomes completely numb.
💬 What are the fatal risks of this vaccine (Mivacurium)?
The biggest and deadliest danger is that this even paralyzes the 'breathing muscle (Diaphragm),' so the patient cannot breathe on their own after this! They must definitely be put through a tube in their mouth and hooked up to a ventilator (or they will die)! Also, this can cause some people to suddenly drop their blood pressure (Hypotension) and develop red blisters/spots (Flushing) all over their body.
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