Protonix (pantoprazole) Coupons, Discounts & Cost
Protonix is an antiulcer drug whose active ingredient is pantoprazole. One way to save money on the Protonix retail cost regardless of income and insurance status is to use Protonix coupons or discount cards from RXCoupons. Use this Pantoprazole coupon at this online pharmacy and receive up to 75% off the sale price.
Protonix pharmacological action
Protonix is an antiulcer drug whose active ingredient is pantoprazole. The drug helps reduce gastric secretion. Protonix can be used to treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Pantoprazole reduces basal and stimulated secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Thus, it helps increase the sensitivity of patogenic microorganisms to antibiotics. In addition, it has its own antimicrobial activity.
Pantoprazole is absorbed rapidly: the maximum concentration is reached after a single oral dose of 40 mg (within 2.5 hours on average). Pantoprazole is metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine (about 80%) and with feces.
It is possible to use pantoprazole for such diseases as exacerbation of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, reflux esophagitis, Helicobacter pylori eradication (pantoprazole is used in conjunction with antibacterial treatment in this case).
Protonix contraindications
Protonix is contraindicated in hypersensitivity to pantoprazole, benzimidazole derivatives.
Do not take the drug in case of liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis accompanied by severe hepatic insufficiency, as well as in case of various functional disorders of the liver.
As for pregnancy, pantoprazole is used only in cases where the benefit that the drug brings to the mother is higher than the possible risk for the child. If the drug is prescribed during lactation, then patients should breastfeeding (the drug is absorbed in breast milk).
It is not recommended to use this drug in patients under the age of 12 (up to 6 years in extreme cases).
Pantoprazole is not used for treating various factors of hyperacidity caused by diet, alcohol, smoking, drugs and narcotics.
Side effects of Protonix
The drug may cause side effects in relation to the gastrointestinal tract: diarrhea or constipation, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, increased appetite, upper abdominal pain.
CNS side effects include headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia; in rare cases - nervousness, depression, paresthesia, tremor, visual disturbances, tinnitus.
Side effects from the genitourinary system: edema, impotence, hematuria.
Skin disorders: alopecia, acne, exfoliative dermatitis, allergic reactions (angioedema, urticaria, rash, itching).
Also, some other disorders may include hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, myalgia, fever, eosinophilia.
How to use Protonix
The average therapeutic dose is 40 mg per day. The maximum dose is 80 mg per day. The duration of the course is set depending on the indications, but it should not exceed 8 weeks. Malignant neoplasm in the stomach and esophagus should be excluded before you decide to start pantoprazole therapy.
Long-term treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and other pathological conditions: the recommended initial dose of pantoprazole is 80 mg per day. If necessary, the dose can be titrated (increased or decreased depending on the acid secretion in the stomach). Doses exceeding 80 mg per day should be divided into two injections.
Reflux esophagitis diagnosis requires mandatory endoscopic confirmation.
Protonix: interaction with other drugs and other types of interactions
Pantoprazole may reduce the absorption of certain drugs (e.g., some antifungal drugs such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or other drugs such as erlotinib).
Pantoprazole may significantly reduce the bioavailability of anti-HIV drugs. Therefore, it should not be mixed with atazanavir.
Patients who use coumarin anticoagulants (warfarin) are advised to take pantoprazole with caution.
There are no clinically relevant interactions with drugs and substances such as carbamazepine, diazepam, nifedipine, oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, caffeine, theophylline, piroxicam, diclofenac, naproxen, metoprolol, ethanol, clarithromycin, metronidazole, amoxicillin.
Pantoprazole may increase the concentration of methotrexate.
Special instructions
Protonix treatment should be discontinued if there are anxiety symptoms (for example, significant loss of body weight, periodic vomiting, dysphagia, vomiting with blood, anemia).
Patients with severe impairment of liver function should regularly monitor the level of liver enzymes.
Protonix may slightly increase the risk of gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter.