Pantoprazole: A Proton Pump Inhibitor to Reduce Stomach Acid

Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor, which contains Pantoprazole Sodium as its active ingredient, and is used to treat erosive esophagitis in patients. It works by decreasing the acid amount produced in the patient’s stomach. In some cases, it can also be used to treat any other condition involving excess acid in the stomach, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Despite all these effects, it cannot be indicated for immediately relieving heartburn symptoms.

How Pantoprazole works

Cells lining the stomach contain proton pumps that are used in the production of stomach acid. Pantoprazole Sodium inhibits action of these proton pumps, thereby reducing the amount of stomach acid produced. Production of stomach acid is a normal part of digestion, but stomach lining and duodenum are protected by a resistive layer. In case this layer gets damaged or if large amounts of acid start producing inside the stomach, the patient may have chances of developing peptic ulcer. The acid may also flow back into the esophagus of the patient, resulting in gastro-esophageal reflux, causing heartburn. By decreasing the amount of acid being produced in the stomach, Pantoprazole can be used to treat all these conditions.

How to take this medication

Omeprazole can be used as a substitute for this medication, but when we consider Pantoprazole vs Omeprazole, the former one proves to be able to relieve the conditions much more easily and quickly. This medication is available in oral tablets and oral granule forms. If you are taking oral tablets, take one tablet each day with or without meals. If you are using granule form of the medicine, then take it 30 minutes before food. Sprinkle the content on apple sauce and swallow it right away. You can also have sips of water in order to aid swallowing. Notify your doctor at once, if your condition does not improve with Pantoprazole or if you develop an allergic reaction to it.