Protonix is a trade name for the drug pantoprazole. It is classified as a proton pump inhibitor drug. It is generally used in the treatment of the erosion or ulceration of the esophagus which is caused by gastro esophageal reflux disease, although it may be used as an off label treatment for other diseases. The medication works well because it will actually limit the amount of acid that the stomach produces. It helps to reduce or limit the amount of damage that stomach acid can do to the esophagus.
The medication is usually used for eight weeks and if the condition has not improved greatly it will be prescribed for another eight weeks. Many doctors choose to use Protonix as a maintenance medication if necessary, although patients will need to be warned that long term use can result in a false positive for THC via a blood test. It is important for patients to follow the entire course of the treatment to have full relief of the symptoms that brought them to the doctors.
Some doctors prescribe a delayed release form of the medication. This type of tablet cannot be chewed or crushed before taking as it is made to slowly release the medication into the blood stream to provide ample coverage for every 24 hour period. Patients who are taking the medication long term should also be aware that it can cause stomach cancer at least that is a conclusion that one animal study came to. It may also make it difficult for your body to absorb the vitamin B-12. If a patient is going to be taking Protonix long term a doctor may want to screen for a B-12 deficiency often or may actually prescribe the vitamin to be taken for the course of treatment to avoid a deficiency.