Protonix

Protonix is a prescription medication used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease and Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. Protonix belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. These work by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach.

This medication comes in a delayed release tablet and oral (by mouth) suspension form. It is usually taken once or twice daily, with or without food.

This medication is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of Protonix include headache, diarrhea, and nausea.

Protonix is a prescription medication used for:

• erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus caused by stomach acid) caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (a condition in which the stomach makes too much acid)

​This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take Protonix exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

• For short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis linked with GERD, the adult dose is 40 mg once daily for up to 8 weeks.
• For maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis, the adult 40 mg once daily.
• For hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, the adult dose is 40 mg twice daily.

Do not take Protonix if you are:

• allergic to any of the ingredients in Protonix. 
• allergic to any proton pump inhibitor (PPI). If you do not know if your medicines are PPIs, please ask your doctor.

Protonix can cause serious side effects including:

• Stomach lining weakening with long-term use
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency
• Serious allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you get any of the following symptoms with Protonix
  • rash
  • face swelling
  • throat tightness
  • difficult breathing

Your doctor may stop Protonix if these symptoms happen.

The most common side effects with Protonix in adults include:

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Gas
• Dizziness
• Pain in your joints

The most common side effects with Protonix in children include:

• Upper respiratory infection
• Headache
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Rash
• Stomach pain

People who are taking multiple daily doses of proton pump inhibitor medicines for a long period of time may have an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist or spine.

Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you or that do not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects with Protonix. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements. Protonix may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Protonix works. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• Warfarin (Coumadin, Athrombin-K, Jantoven, Panwarfin)
• Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• Atazanavir (Reyataz), Nelfinavir (Viracept)
• Iron supplements
• Ampicillin antibiotics

Ask your doctor if you are not sure if any of your medicines are the kind listed above.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Protonix falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Protonix. But in animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Protonix has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Protonix, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

You can take pantoprazole tablets with food or on an empty stomach. Swallow pantoprazole tablets whole.

Pantoprazole oral suspension should be taken 30 minutes before a meal.

People who are taking multiple daily doses of proton pump inhibitor medicines for a long period of time may have an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist or spine.