Drug Guide 101: Pantoprazole

Last night I had a chance to give Pantoprazole(Pantoloc) 40 mg/vial, 1 vial via IVTT(Intravenous through tube) as ordered by the resident on duty at the emergency room. I am currently assigned in the Operating room but we had no case so every time this happens we go to the ER per hospital policy.

The patient was suffering from intense epigastric pain 1 day prior to admission. Pantoprazole was the only medication given to the patient in the ER. I prepared the powdered medication in a vial by combining it with 10 cc of normal saline which is 0.9% Sodium Chloride, an isotonic solution. Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor(PPI). Proton pump inhibitors act to reduce gastric acid secretion mainly by blocking the gastric proton pump system of the gastric parietal cell. The drug is given in an inactive form and is only protonated and rearranges itself when exposed in an acid environment.

According to one article from sciencedaily.com there are adverse effects on weight when one is under long term treatment of PPI's. Check out this article to know more. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091023092130.htm.

Side effects of the drug include: headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, dizziness.

Adverse effects: rash, itch, flatulence, constipation, anxiety, depression. Decreased vitamin B₁₂ absorption may occur with long-term use.

The drug is contraindicated for patients with hepatic impairment and pregnant patients.