pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Proton pump inhibitor
Tablet administration
Swallow gastro-resistant tablets whole with water before food; do not crush or chew.
What is pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate used for?
Selected UK products are licensed for:
Reflux oesophagitis.
Gastric and duodenal ulcers.
H. pylori-associated ulcers, with appropriate antibiotics for oral products.
Zollinger–Ellison syndrome and other conditions causing excessive gastric acid secretion.
Intravenous treatment when oral administration is unsuitable.
How does pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate work?
Pantoprazole becomes active in stomach parietal cells and blocks the hydrogen–potassium ATPase proton pump, the final step in gastric acid production. This reduces resting and stimulated acid secretion.
pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate preparations and strengths
Gastro-resistant tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 20 mg, 40 mg
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 40 mg
How to take pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate
Follow the product leaflet and instructions from the prescriber or pharmacist.
Swallow gastro-resistant tablets whole with water before a meal.
Do not chew, crush or split tablets unless the specific product information confirms this is suitable.
Injection is prepared and given intravenously by a healthcare professional.
Do not stop long-term treatment without discussing it with the prescriber, as symptoms can rebound.
pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Tablet products have no effects classified as common in their SmPCs; reported uncommon effects include headache, dizziness, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, constipation, bloating, abdominal discomfort, dry mouth and tiredness.
- With intravenous pantoprazole, injection-site vein inflammation, headache and diarrhoea are among the more frequently reported effects.
Get urgent medical advice
- Anaphylaxis, including facial or throat swelling and breathing difficulty.
- Severe skin reactions, including blistering, peeling or widespread rash.
- Liver injury, kidney inflammation, or severe or persistent diarrhoea.
- Low magnesium, which may cause confusion, weakness, muscle twitching, seizures or an abnormal heartbeat.
- A sun-exposed rash with joint pain, which may indicate subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate in pregnancy
Pantoprazole is not usually recommended during pregnancy because experience is more limited than with omeprazole. Discuss treatment with a prescriber, midwife or pharmacist before starting or stopping it.
pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate while breastfeeding
Pantoprazole can be used during breastfeeding when clinically appropriate. Very small amounts are expected in milk and infant absorption is likely to be limited.
pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate interactions
Check all prescribed, pharmacy and herbal products; this list is not exhaustive.
Atazanavir and other acid-dependent HIV protease inhibitors
Reduced stomach acidity can substantially lower absorption; co-administration is not recommended unless specialist management and monitoring are arranged.
Itraconazole, posaconazole and other pH-dependent medicines
Pantoprazole may reduce absorption and treatment effectiveness.
Common questions about pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why must pantoprazole tablets be swallowed whole?
Their gastro-resistant coating protects pantoprazole from stomach acid. Crushing or chewing can damage that protection.
Does pantoprazole treat H. pylori by itself?
No. For H. pylori-associated ulcers, oral pantoprazole is used with appropriate antibiotics.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.