Pantoprazole Sodium (Gastric Antisecretory)

Question 1

What is the brand name of Pantoprazole Sodium?

Answer 1

Protonix

Question 2

What dose tablets are available for delayed release Protonix tablets?

Answer 2

20mg & 40mg

Question 3

What strength of granules for oral suspension are available for Pantoprazole Sodium?

Answer 3

40mg per packet

Question 4

What strength powder for injection, freeze-dried is available for Protonix?

Answer 4

40mg/vial

Question 5

What dose of Protonix is used for the short-term treatment (up to 8 weeks) of erosive esophagitis associated with GERD?

Answer 5

Oral (Children >15kg) 20mg QD for up to 8 weeks
Oral (Adults) 40mg QD for up to 8 weeks
IV: 40mg once daily for 7-10 days

Question 6

What dose of Pantoprazole Sodium is used for the maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis?

Answer 6

40mg taken QD

Question 7

What dose of Protonix is used for the treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?

Answer 7

Start with 40mg BID. Titrate to optimum maintenance dose up to a maximum of 240mg/day

Question 8

What should the providers monitor in a patient taking Protonix?

Answer 8

Bone Mineral Density

Magnesium

Question 9

What is the mechanism of action for Protonix?

Answer 9

Protonix is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that suppressed the final set in gastric acid production by forming a covalent bond to two sites of the (H+,K+)-ATPase enzyme system at the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cell.

Question 10

What are the drug interactions of Pantoprazole Sodium?

Answer 10

• Although Protonix is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system, no significant drug interactions occur with those substrates or inducers
• Pantoprazole MAY be administered with antacids
• This drug raises the pH of the stomach, so drugs that require a low pH for absorption (ketoconazole, ampicillin esters, iron salts) may be affected by coadministration

Question 11

What are the contraindications of Protonix?

Answer 11

• Contraindicated in patients with any known hypersensitivity to any component.
• Symptomatic response therapy with pantoprazole does not preclude the presence of gastric malignancy
• Use with caution in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
• Use with caution in nursing mothers
• Pregnancy Category B

Question 12

What are the adverse effects of Pantoprazole Sodium?

Answer 12

Adverse effects are rare but may include diarrhea, headache, flatulence, rash.

Question 13

What should the RPh tell their patient taking Protonix/Pantoprazole Sodium?

Answer 13

• May be taken w/o regard to meals
• Swallow tablet whole, do not split, chew or crush
• Granules should be mixed with applesauce or apple juice and swallowed immediately
• Antacids may be taken at the same time
• If a dose is missed, take it ASAP. If the time is closer to the next dose than the missed one, skip the missed dose