Proton 40 mg 28 Tablets

Proton 40 mg 28 Tablets:

Pantoprazole is a medication belonging to a class of drugs known as "proton pump inhibitors." It is used for the short-term treatment of adult patients experiencing signs and symptoms of acid reflux, such as regurgitation and heartburn.

Do not take Pantoprazole:

• If you are allergic to pantoprazole or any other ingredients contained in this medication. Inform your doctor about any symptoms you have experienced.
• If you are taking HIV protease inhibitors (medications used to treat HIV), such as atazanavir and nelfinavir.

Warnings and Precautions:

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have had allergic reactions to this medication or have previously experienced allergic reactions to similar drugs (proton pump inhibitors). Signs of allergic reactions include difficulty breathing, rash, swelling of the face or neck, low blood pressure, and dizziness.
• Make sure to inform your doctor if you have liver problems, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), anemia, stomach or intestinal bleeding, unintended weight loss, difficulty swallowing, persistent vomiting or vomiting blood, or any other medical condition.
• Inform your doctor if you have previously had a stomach ulcer or surgery on your stomach or intestines.
• Consult your doctor if you are undergoing ongoing treatment for heartburn or indigestion symptoms lasting 4 weeks or more.
• Inform your doctor if your symptoms are new or have recently changed and you are over 55 years old.
• Make sure to have regular follow-ups with your doctor if you are over 55 years old and take over-the-counter heartburn medications almost daily.
• Consult your doctor if you are scheduled for an endoscopy or urea breath test before starting this medication.
• This medication may not provide immediate relief after taking it. It is expected to start working after one day of treatment and up to 7 days for full relief.
• Do not take this medication as a preventive measure for acid reflux.
• Do not take any other heartburn medication with this drug unless your doctor advises you to.
• This medication may increase the risk of stomach or intestinal infections caused by bacteria. Inform your doctor if you develop signs of intestinal infection, such as severe and persistent diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
• This medication may increase the risk of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), a skin disorder that usually develops on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the shoulders, upper back, neck, forearms, and upper trunk, presenting as a red, raised, and scaly rash. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any side effects such as rash or joint pain. Your doctor may stop the medication if this occurs.
• This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests required during investigations for neuroendocrine tumors (tumors arising from hormones and the nervous system), so your doctor may recommend stopping this medication at least 5 days before testing if necessary. Make sure to inform your doctor if you are scheduled for a specific blood test (chromogranin A).
• This medication is usually used for up to 4 weeks unless your doctor recommends a longer duration.
• This medication may affect your ability to absorb vitamin B12 if used for a long time.
• This medication may increase the risk of bone fractures if taken in high doses and for long periods (more than one year). The risk is higher in elderly patients, those with osteoporosis (low bone density), and those taking corticosteroids. Your doctor may recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements depending on your condition.
• This medication may cause low magnesium levels if used for three months or more. Signs of low magnesium include uncontrolled involuntary muscle movements, fatigue, confusion, seizures, irregular heartbeat, and dizziness. Be sure to contact your doctor if you experience any of these signs. Your doctor may recommend measuring magnesium levels before starting this medication, especially if you are at higher risk of low magnesium (such as long-term treatment or taking other medications that may worsen low magnesium levels). Low magnesium levels may also cause low calcium or potassium levels in the blood.
• Inform your doctor if you do not feel better after two weeks of starting this medication.
• Inform your doctor if you take this medication for more than 4 weeks.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs such as vomiting, especially if bloody or recurrent (appearing as dark coffee grounds), pale skin, weakness, black or bloody stools, stomach pain, unintended weight loss not related to exercise or diet, difficulty or pain when swallowing, and chest pain.
• Your doctor may recommend some blood tests. Make sure to inform your doctor if you are scheduled for any blood tests and are currently taking this medication.

Possible Side Effects:

Serious potential side effects of pantoprazole include signs of allergic reactions such as rash, signs of severe skin reactions such as bleeding and loss of skin around the genitals, nose, mouth, or eyes, or the appearance of ulcers or skin peeling, rash with swelling and rash upon sun exposure, signs of liver damage such as yellowing of the eyes and skin, signs of kidney damage such as lower back pain with fever and pain when urinating. Common side effects include benign stomach polyps. Other uncommon or rare side effects include headache, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal bloating, vomiting, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, rash, fatigue or weakness, stomach discomfort and pain, itching, fractures of the spine, hip or wrist, sleep problems, muscle and joint pain, increased liver enzymes in blood tests, changes or loss of taste, blurred vision, joint pain, weight changes, breast enlargement in males, fever, swelling of limbs, depression, increased bilirubin and lipids, severe decrease in circulating granulocytes, low platelet count (which can cause easy bruising, delayed wound healing, and bleeding), loss of coordination and orientation, low white blood cells (which may increase infection risk), low red blood cells, watery diarrhea, burning or tingling sensations, feeling of pins and needles or numbness, confusion, low magnesium and sodium levels in the blood, hallucinations, and rash with joint pain.

Other Medications and Pantoprazole:

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or may take any other medications.
• If you are taking certain antifungals such as ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections).
• If you are taking HIV protease inhibitors (medications used to treat HIV), such as atazanavir and nelfinavir.
• If you are taking warfarin or phenprocoumon (blood thinners).
• If you are taking methotrexate (used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and cancer).
• If you are taking other acid-reducing medications, such as another proton pump inhibitor (like lansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole) or H2 antagonists (like famotidine, ranitidine). Antacids (such as alginic acid, magaldrate, aluminum hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, or combinations) can be safely taken with this medication if needed.

How to Take Pantoprazole:

Adults:

The recommended dose is one tablet (20 mg) orally once daily.

Children:

The safety and effectiveness of this medication have not been established in children.

• Take this medication as recommended in this leaflet or as advised by your doctor or pharmacist.
• Make sure to take this medication for at least 2 to 3 consecutive days.
• Stop taking this medication when you feel complete relief from symptoms.
• Do not take the medication for more than 4 weeks unless your doctor recommends it.
• Take the tablet before a meal.
• Take the medication at the same time every day.
• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not break or chew the tablet.