Pantoprazole (pan-toe-pray-zole) is a proton pump inhibitor mainly used for the short to medium term management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease. In 2020, pantozole was the 20th most commonly prescribed medication in the USA. It is mostly taken orally, but there is an injectable form.
Pantoprazole works via blocking gastric secretion through inhibition of the hydrogen/potassium ATPase enzyme system in gastric parietal cell
Bioavailability is 77% with 98% bound to protein binding. Metabolism is in the liver by the cytochrome P450 system.
Elimination half-life of around 1-2 hours; excretion is via the urine (71%) and faeces (18%).
Dose is typically 40 mg orally once a day with or without food.
Common side effects: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, abdominal pain, flatulence, joint pain in up to 3%.
Serious side effects: Clostridium difficile infection, higher risk of pneumonia, masking stomach cancer.
Following cessation of pantoprazole, it is reasonably common for there to be a rebound acid secretion, where the acid secretion in the stomach increases significantly which may last for several weeks.
Brand names: Protonix, Somac, Pantoloc, Panto, Tecta and many others.
Chemical formula: C16H15F2N3O4S
Other proton pump inhibitors:
| Omeprazole | Esomeprazole | Pantoprazole |
| Lansoprazole | Rabeprazole | Dexrabeprazole |
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