Panzium 40mg Capsules

Pantoprazole reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes by blocking the proton pumps in the stomach lining.

It is used for:

• heartburn and acid reflux, including gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
• stomach ulcers
• conditions where the stomach makes too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

You may feel better in 2 to 3 days, but it can take up to 4 weeks to work fully.

Take pantoprazole as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.

• Take it about an hour before a meal, usually in the morning. If you take it twice a day, take one dose in the morning and one in the evening.
• Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not crush or chew it.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due. Never take two doses together.
• If you bought it without a prescription, see a doctor if you are no better after 2 weeks, and do not take it for more than 4 weeks without advice.
• After long-term use, speak to your doctor before stopping; reducing slowly can stop symptoms coming back.

Side effects are uncommon and usually mild. They include headache, diarrhoea, feeling or being sick, constipation, dry mouth and tiredness.

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• joint pain with a red rash, especially on skin exposed to the sun
• yellow skin or eyes, dark pee or worsening stomach pain
• pain or less pee, lower back pain, swollen ankles, or rash with fever
• severe or long-lasting diarrhoea
• signs of a serious allergic reaction: swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing (call emergency services)

Long-term use can lower magnesium (tiredness, confusion, muscle twitches, irregular heartbeat) and, after a year or more, raise the risk of fractures, gut infections and low vitamin B12.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to pantoprazole or another medicine
• have liver problems or low vitamin B12
• are due to have an endoscopy
• take antifungals (itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), methotrexate, HIV medicines, rifampicin or warfarin
• take St John's wort (avoid it)

See a doctor first if you have: unexplained weight loss, repeated vomiting or vomiting blood, black or bloody poo, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or you look pale and feel weak.

Keep in the original, tightly closed container at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of the reach of children.

Pregnancy: not usually recommended, as there is little information. Your doctor may suggest another medicine.

Breastfeeding: it can be taken, as only tiny amounts pass into breast milk.

Alcohol: it does not affect the medicine, but alcohol can make stomach symptoms worse, so drink less.

Driving: do not drive or use machines if you feel dizzy, drowsy or have blurred vision.