PANTOLOC 40mg Tablets/Enteric-coated

What is PANTOLOC 40mg

PANTOLOC 40mg is an enteric-coated tablet formulation containing Pantoprazole (as sodium sesquihydrate), a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used primarily to treat conditions involving excess stomach acid. It is commonly prescribed for gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and peptic ulcers.

• Form: Enteric-coated tablets ensure the medication is absorbed in the intestine rather than the stomach, enhancing its effectiveness.
• Strength: Each tablet contains 40mg of Pantoprazole.
• Packaging: Supplied in a 15-tablet blister pack.
• Therapeutic class: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI).
• Indications: Used to reduce gastric acid production in:
  • GERD with erosive esophagitis
  • Gastric and duodenal ulcers
  • Helicobacter pylori eradication (in combination therapy)
  • Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

How to use PANTOLOC 40mg

Proper use of PANTOLOC 40mg maximizes its therapeutic benefits while minimizing side effects. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions carefully.

• Administration route: Oral
• When to take: Usually taken once daily, ideally 30 to 60 minutes before a meal, most often before breakfast.
• Swallow whole: Do not crush, chew, or split the tablet. The enteric coating protects the drug from stomach acid degradation.
• With or without food: Best taken on an empty stomach, but may be taken with food if advised by a doctor.
• Duration of use: Depends on the condition being treated; short-term (4-8 weeks) for ulcers/GERD, long-term for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
• Missed dose: Take as soon as remembered unless it's almost time for the next dose. Do not double up.
• Adherence: Consistent use at the same time daily is important for optimal results.

Mode of Action PANTOLOC 40mg

Pantoprazole works by targeting the final step of acid production in the stomach, thereby effectively suppressing gastric acid secretion.

• Target: Proton pumps (H+/K+-ATPase enzyme) located in gastric parietal cells.
• Mechanism: Pantoprazole irreversibly binds to and inhibits these proton pumps, thereby blocking the secretion of hydrogen ions into the gastric lumen.
• Acid suppression: This leads to a significant and prolonged reduction in gastric acidity, aiding healing and symptom relief.
• Activation: The drug is a prodrug, activated in the acidic environment of the secretory canaliculi of parietal cells.
• Onset and duration: Onset within 1 hour; maximal effect within 2-3 days of regular use. Acid secretion returns to normal over 3-5 days after stopping.

PANTOLOC 40mg Interactions PANTOLOC 40mg

Pantoprazole may interact with a variety of medications, potentially altering their effectiveness or increasing side effect risk.

• Drugs affected by stomach pH: Reduced absorption of drugs like:
  • Ketoconazole, itraconazole (antifungals)
  • Atazanavir, rilpivirine (antivirals)
• Clopidogrel: Pantoprazole may slightly reduce the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel, but this interaction is less significant than with other PPIs.
• Warfarin: May increase the anticoagulant effect, necessitating monitoring of INR levels.
• Methotrexate: High-dose methotrexate clearance may be reduced, increasing toxicity risk.
• Digoxin: Pantoprazole may increase digoxin levels in some individuals.
• Herbal supplements: St. John’s Wort may decrease pantoprazole effectiveness due to CYP enzyme induction.

Dosage of PANTOLOC 40mg

The appropriate dosage of PANTOLOC 40mg depends on the medical condition, patient’s age, liver function, and treatment duration.

• Adults:
  • GERD/Erosive Esophagitis: 40mg once daily for 4 to 8 weeks.
  • Maintenance Therapy: 40mg once daily if necessary to prevent relapse.
  • Gastric/Duodenal Ulcers: 40mg once daily for 4 to 8 weeks.
  • H. pylori eradication: 40mg twice daily for 7–14 days in combination with antibiotics.
  • Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: Initial 40mg twice daily, adjusted individually up to 240mg/day if needed.
• Elderly: Usually no dosage adjustment required, but monitor for hepatic impairment.
• Children: Not routinely recommended unless advised by a pediatric gastroenterologist.
• Hepatic impairment: In moderate to severe liver dysfunction, the dose should not exceed 20mg per day.

Possible side effects of PANTOLOC 40mg

While generally well tolerated, PANTOLOC 40mg may cause side effects in some patients. Most are mild and transient, but some can be serious and require medical attention.

• Common side effects (1–10%):
  • Headache
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Flatulence
  • Abdominal pain
• Uncommon side effects (0.1–1%):
  • Dizziness
  • Joint pain (arthralgia)
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Rash or pruritus
• Rare but serious effects:
  • Hypomagnesemia with prolonged use (muscle cramps, arrhythmias)
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency with long-term therapy
  • Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea
  • Liver enzyme elevation or hepatitis
  • Severe skin reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome)

PANTOLOC 40mg Contraindications PANTOLOC 40mg

PANTOLOC 40mg should not be used in certain conditions due to potential risks or lack of benefit.

• Known hypersensitivity:
  • Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to pantoprazole, other PPIs, or any component of the formulation.
• Severe hepatic impairment:
  • Use with caution or avoid unless the benefit outweighs the risk.
• Concurrent use with rilpivirine-containing medications:
  • Pantoprazole may reduce the absorption of rilpivirine and related antiretrovirals, making them less effective.
• Suspected gastric malignancy:
  • Pantoprazole may mask symptoms; rule out malignancy before initiation.

Storage of PANTOLOC 40mg

Proper storage of PANTOLOC is essential to maintain its effectiveness and safety.

• Storage temperature:
  • Store at temperatures below 30°C (86°F).
• Protection from elements:
  • Keep the tablets in their original blister packaging until use to protect from moisture and light.
• Child safety:
  • Store out of the reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
• Disposal:
  • Do not use after the expiry date indicated on the blister pack.
  • Do not dispose of medicines in household waste or wastewater. Follow local disposal regulations or consult a pharmacist.