Protonix®

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Protonix®

What is Protonix®?

Protonix® is a proton pump inhibitor designed to decrease the amount of stomach acid patients produce. It works by shutting of the cells in the stomach lining that produce the acid. The generic name of the drug is pantoprazole. It’s most commonly prescribed in 20mg or 40mg delayed release tablets but can also be found in a 40mg delayed release solution designed for oral consumption.

Protonix® is most commonly prescribed to help heal erosion of the esophagus due to GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease — more commonly known as acid reflux). Protonix® can also be used to treat chronic conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome where the sufferer constantly produces too much stomach acid.

The drug was produced and marketed by Wyeth until the company was bought out by Pfizer. Three companies now manufacture versions of the drug. There are currently no generic forms of the drug available for sale.

Protonix® is prescribed in 20 mg or 40mg tablets. It can also be prescribed in a 40mg ingestible solution.

Protonix® Vs. Prilosec®

While Prilosec® and Protonix® are both in the same class of drugs (PPIs, or proton pump inhibitors) and can be prescribed to treat similar conditions, Protonix® is only available by prescription whereas Prilosec® is available over the counter in a form known as Prilosec OTC®.

In addition, whereas Prilosec® is often recommended to treat chronic heartburn, Protonix® is almost exclusively prescribed to help heal erosion of the esophagus caused by excess stomach acid and chronic conditions.

In addition, the drugs may have widely different side effects and will adversely react with different drugs.

The Dangers of Protonix®

The biggest dangers patients face when taking Protonix® is a risk of severe allergic reaction or drug interactions. The list of drugs with which Protonix® will interact includes, but is not limited to:

• Ampicillin (a type of antibiotic)
• Warfarin, also called Coumadin (a blood thinner)
• Clopidogrel, marketed under the brand name Plavix (a cholesterol medication)
• Ketoconazole (an Anti-fungal drug)
• Iron supplements
• Atazanavir and Nelfinavir (anti-HIV drugs)
• Digoxin (used to treat congestive heart failure)

Other less severe side effects include:

• Headache
• Gas/Bloating
• Diarrhea/Constipation
• Dizziness
• Nausea (with or without vomiting)

Several rare but sometimes fatal side effects have also been noted during the use of Protonix® since its approval by the FDA. These dangerous side effects include:

• Severe dermatological reactions (some fatal) including toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Musculoskeletal disorder called rhabdomyolysis
• Kidney and urinary disorders
• Severe liver damage leading to jaundice and complete organ failure
• Psychiatric disorders including hallucination and severe disorientation
• Risk of spine fractures or wrist fractures

Important Information About Protonix®

Protonix® has been approved by the FDA for use in children as young as 5 years old but only under the direct supervisions of a qualified physician.

Protonix® has been classified as a pregnancy class B drug which means there aren’t enough studies available to show how pregnant women and their unborn fetuses react to the drug. However, because pantoprazole, the main active ingredient in Protonix®, can be passed through breast milk and may have severe adverse side effects for infants, it is strongly recommended that nursing mothers discontinue use of the drug or stop nursing while using it.

In addition, Protonix® may produce false positives in tests determined to detect THC (one of the active compounds in marijuana) in the bloodstream.