Protonix is a proton pump inhibitor that decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Protonix is used to treat erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) in adults and children who are at least 5 years old. Pantoprazole is usually given for up to 8 weeks at a time while your esophagus heals.

Protonix is also used to treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and other conditions involving excess stomach acid.

Protonix is not for the immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a general ill feeling.

Long-term treatment with Protonix may also make it harder for your body to absorb vitamin B-12, resulting in a deficiency of this vitamin. Talk with your doctor if you need long-term Protonix treatment and you have concerns about vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Pantoprazole can cause kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you are urinating less than usual, or if you have blood in your urine.

Diarrhea may be a sign of a new infection. Call your doctor if you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it.

Pantoprazole may cause new or worsening symptoms of lupus. Tell your doctor if you have joint pain and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.

You may be more likely to have a broken bone while taking this medicine long term or more than once per day.

Take Protonix exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Use the lowest dose for the shortest amount of time needed to treat your condition.

Protonix is taken by mouth (oral) or given as an infusion into a vein (injection). A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the injection by yourself.

Protonix tablets are taken by mouth, with or without food. The oral granules should be taken 30 minutes before a meal.

Do not crush, chew, or break a Protonix tablet. Swallow the tablet whole.

The oral granules should be sprinkled on 1 teaspoon of applesauce or apple juice and given either by mouth or through a nasogastric (NG) tube.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse while you are using this medicine.

Pantoprazole can cause false results with certain medical tests. Tell the doctor or laboratory staff that you are using this medicine.

Pantoprazole may also affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use this medicine.

Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Heartburn can mimic early symptoms of a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder and you feel anxious or light-headed.

You should not use Protonix if:

• you also take medicine that contains rilpivirine (Edurant, Complera, Juluca, Odefsey);

• if you had breathing problems, kidney problems, or a severe allergic reaction after taking pantoprazole in the past; or

• you are allergic to pantoprazole or similar medicines (lansoprazole, omeprazole, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and others).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• low levels of magnesium in your blood;

• lupus; or

• osteoporosis or low bone mineral density.

You may be more likely to have a broken bone while using Protonix long-term or more than once per day. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy, especially if you are an adult over 50.

It is not known whether Protonix will affect an unborn baby. Animal studies have shown no harm. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Protonix is secreted in breastmilk, but it is not known whether Protonix will affect a nursing infant. Tell your doctor you are nursing before taking Protonix.

Protonix is not approved for use by anyone younger than 5 years old.

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

This medicine can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Protonix: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• sudden pain or trouble moving your hip, wrist, or back;

• bruising or swelling where intravenous pantoprazole was injected;

• kidney problems - fever, rash, nausea, loss of appetite, joint pain, urinating less than usual, blood in your urine, weight gain;

• low magnesium - dizziness, fast or irregular heart rate, tremors (shaking) or jerking muscle movements, feeling jittery, muscle cramps, muscle spasms in your hands and feet, cough or choking feeling; or

• new or worsening symptoms of lupus - joint pain, and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.

Taking pantoprazole long-term may cause you to develop stomach growths called fundic gland polyps. Talk with your doctor about this risk.

If you use pantoprazole for longer than 3 years, you could develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor about how to manage this condition if you develop it.

Common Protonix side effects may include:

• headache, dizziness;

• stomach pain, gas, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• joint pain; or

• fever, rash, or cold symptoms (most common in children).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some may interact with pantoprazole, especially:

• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV medications) such as rilpivirine, atazanavir, or nelfinavir;

• blood thinners including warfarin;;

• digoxin;

• methotrexate; or

• a diuretic or "water pill."

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Protonix, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.