A problem that many people in our country have is gastritis, or stomach inflammation. So, when we go to a doctor for this, a medicine called Pantoprazole is often prescribed to us. Maybe you are also using this medicine. But how many of us know exactly about this medicine? It is very important that we know exactly how to take it, what happens with it, and what things to be careful about. So today, let's talk about this Pantoprazole.
Simply put, what is Pantoprazole?
Pantoprazole is a medicine that reduces the amount of acid produced in our stomach. It is usually used to treat conditions such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, and reflux disease.
Think of it like this: There are lots of little pumps in our stomachs that make acid. What this medicine does is temporarily stop the pumps from working. To be precise, this medicine belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) . When the production of stomach acid is reduced, existing ulcers get a chance to heal, and new ulcers are less likely to form.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before prescribing Pantoprazole to you, your doctor will want to know about your medical history. This is because some conditions require caution when using this medicine. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Health condition/matter | Why do you need to tell the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Liver disease | The liver plays a key role in eliminating many medications from the body. If there is any liver dysfunction, the dosage of the medication may need to be adjusted. |
| Low levels of calcium, magnesium, and potassium in the blood | Long-term use of this medication can sometimes affect these mineral levels, so it's important to be aware of this if you already have low levels. |
| Lupus disease | This is a disease related to the immune system. It is essential to inform your doctor as some PPIs can worsen the symptoms. |
| Allergies to Pantoprazole or other medicines, foods, dyes | If you have had an allergy to a medicine in the past, disclosing this can help prevent a serious allergic reaction. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby | It is mandatory to seek medical advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | This information is important for the doctor to consider the possibility of the medicine passing to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it as directed.
- Swallow the tablet whole: Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Never break, crush, or chew the tablet. These tablets have a special coating. This protects the tablet from being destroyed by stomach acid until it reaches the right place (the intestine) where it is supposed to work. If we break the tablet, this coating may be removed and the medicine may not work as well.
- Take it on time: Take your medicine at the prescribed intervals as prescribed by your doctor. If you are taking it once a day, try to take it at the same time every day.
- If given to children: This medicine is prescribed even to children over 5 years of age in some special cases. However, it should only be done under the supervision of a pediatrician.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give it to a friend who has the same symptoms as you. The right medicine and dosage are different for everyone.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
If you are taking Pantoprazole, there are some medications that you should not take with it, and some that you should be very careful about taking. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins, Ayurvedic medicines, and traditional medicines) .
| Do not take Pantoprazole with this medicine. | |
|---|---|
| Atazanavir | Nelfinavir |
| Inform your doctor if you are taking Pantoprazole with this medicine. | |
| Ampicillin | Warfarin (a blood thinner) |
| Methotrexate (a medicine used for cancer and joint diseases) | Mycophenolate mofetil |
| Iron salts | Some medications for fungal infections (e.g. Ketoconazole) |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Don't expect a quick recovery: It may take a few days for your stomach pain and inflammation to subside. If your symptoms don't improve or even get worse, talk to your doctor again.
- Diarrhea: If you experience severe, watery diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days while taking this medication, do not take over-the-counter medication and see a doctor immediately.
- Long-term use: Continuous use of this medicine for months or years may cause some side effects.
- Weakened bones: Taking this medication for a long time may cause your bones to become a little weaker, increasing your risk of fractures. Talk to your doctor about this and ask if you need calcium and vitamin D supplements.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: Long-term use may reduce the body's absorption of vitamin B12. This can cause symptoms like numbness in the hands and feet, dizziness, etc. Consult your doctor about a balanced diet and, if necessary, vitamin pills.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like all medicines, Pantoprazole can cause minor and sometimes serious side effects, although not everybody gets them.
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Kidney damage | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles and feet. |
| Severe diarrhea | Profuse, watery diarrhea with fever. |
| Decreased magnesium levels | Muscle pain or stiffness, unusual weakness, fast heartbeat, tremors. |
| Decreased vitamin B12 levels | Pain in the limbs, numbness, muscle weakness, dizziness, difficulty concentrating. |
| Symptoms that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | Vomiting |
| Mild diarrhea | Slight stomach pain |
Take-Home Message
- Pantoprazole is a medicine that reduces stomach acid and is used to treat conditions such as gastritis.
- Swallow this tablet whole with water without breaking, crushing, or chewing.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins and Ayurvedic medicines).
- If you experience a serious side effect such as severe diarrhea, allergic symptoms, or swelling of the limbs, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid using this medicine for a long time without medical advice. Talk to your doctor about the risks of long-term use.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න