Pantoprazole (Systemic)

Brand Names : Protonix, Pantoloc

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For pantoprazole, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pantoprazole. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Pantoprazole has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that pantoprazole causes problems. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether pantoprazole passes into human breast milk. Since this medicine has been shown to cause unwanted effects in animals, it may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast-feeding during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of pantoprazole in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of pantoprazole. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Liver disease - This condition may cause pantoprazole to build up in the body