Pantoprazole 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.

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

Pantoprazole is not for immediate relief of heartburn.

Pantoprazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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 this medicine 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;
• 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 in your hip, wrist, or spine while taking a proton pump inhibitor long-term or more than once per day. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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

Use Protonix IV (Intravenous) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: 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 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.

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.