NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.
APOTEX- PANTOPRAZOLE TABLETS
Contains the active ingredient, pantoprazole (as sodium sesquihydrate)
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about pantoprazole. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine.
You may want to read it again.
What this medicine is used for
Pantoprazole belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs work by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach makes, to give relief from the symptoms and allow healing to take place.
Ulcers
Pantoprazole is used to treat and help heal duodenal and gastric ulcers.
Depending on the position of the ulcer, it is called a gastric or duodenal ulcer. A gastric ulcer occurs in the stomach. A duodenal ulcer occurs in the duodenum which is the tube leading out of the stomach. These can be caused in part by too much acid being made in the stomach.
Most people who have a peptic ulcer also have bacteria called Helicobacter pylori in their stomach. When pantoprazole is taken with antibiotics, the combination therapy will kill the Helicobacter pylori and let your ulcer heal.
Pantoprazole may also be used to prevent ulcers associated with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These are medicines used to relieve pain, swelling and other symptoms of inflammation, including arthritis (inflammation of the joints).
Reflux disease
Pantoprazole is used to treat reflux oesophagitis or reflux disease. This can be caused by “washing back” (reflux) of food and acid from the stomach into the food pipe, also known as the oesophagus.
Reflux can cause a burning sensation in the chest rising up to the throat, also known as heartburn.
Pantoprazole is also used to prevent reflux oesophagitis from coming back.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Pantoprazole is used to treat a rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, where the stomach produces very large amounts of acid, much more than in ulcers and reflux disease.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
This medicine is not addictive.
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine in children.
Before you take this medicine
When you must not take it
Do not take this medicine if you are lactose-intolerant.
These tablets contain lactose.
Do not take this medicine if you have an allergy to:
pantoprazole
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
Do not take this medicine if you have severe liver disease or cirrhosis.
Do not take this medicine in combination with antibiotics or any other medicine if:
you are allergic to any of the antibiotics or medicines your doctor may prescribe with pantoprazole
you have moderate to severe liver or kidney disease
Do not take this medicine in combination with atazanavir or nelfinavir (anti-viral medications).
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
a bone fracture of the hip, wrist or spine (mainly a risk in people who take high doses of PPIs or use them long term (a year or longer))
kidney disease
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
unintentional weight loss
repeated vomiting
vomiting blood
difficulty or pain when swallowing
you look pale and feel weak
you notice blood in your stools
Your doctor may need to perform some additional tests before you take this medicine.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking this medicine.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and pantoprazole may interfere with each other. These include:
warfarin and phenprocoumon, used to prevent blood clots
atazanavir and nelfinavir, used to treat viral infections such as HIV
ketoconazole, itraconazole and posaconazole, used to treat fungal infection
methotrexate, used to treat arthritis and some types of cancer
erlotinib or related medicines, used to treat cancer
tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil, used to suppress the immune system
fluvoxamine, used to treat anxiety and depression.
These medicines may be affected by pantoprazole or may affect how well it works. You may need to use different amounts of your medicine, or take different medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.
Other interactions not listed above may also occur.
How to take this medicine
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ to the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand any written instructions, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
The usual dose is one tablet per day.
However, if your doctor also prescribes antibiotics in combination with this medicine for the treatment of duodenal ulcers, the dose is two per day. The first tablet should be taken in the morning and the second tablet should be taken before the evening meal for 7 days.
Your doctor will prescribe the dose that is right for you.
The dose and frequency of pantoprazole that your doctor prescribes for you depends on your medical condition. Your doctor may change the dose as your condition changes.
How to take it
Swallow your tablets whole with water.
Do not crush or chew the tablets. APOTEX-Pantoprazole tablets have a special coating to protect them from the acidic contents of your stomach. For the tablets to work effectively, this coating must not be broken.
If you are taking other medicines, like antibiotics, in combination with pantoprazole therapy, follow the instructions for the use of each medicine carefully.
When to take it
Take your medicine at about the same time each day.
Taking your medicine at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.
It does not matter if you are taking this medicine before or after food.
How long to take it
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much pantoprazole. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are taking this medicine
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking pantoprazole.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking pantoprazole.
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while you are taking pantoprazole.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
It may interfere with the results of some tests, and you may need to stop pantoprazole for a period of time before the test.
Do not stop pantoprazole until your doctor has discussed this with you.
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked.
If you take pantoprazole for a long period of time, e.g. over 1 year, you will need to see your doctor regularly so that they can monitor your condition.
Tell your doctor if you do not feel better while taking this medicine. Your doctor may recommend further examination.
Tell your doctor if your reflux symptoms return after you stop taking this medicine.
The symptoms of reflux may return after stopping pantoprazole suddenly, especially if you have taken it for a while.
Things you must not do
Do not take this medicine to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not stop taking your medicine, or change the dosage, without checking with your doctor.
Things to be careful of
Be careful while driving or operating machinery until you know how pantoprazole affects you.
This medicine may cause dizziness, in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Things that may help your condition
Some self-help measures suggested below may help your condition. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you more information about these measures.
Alcohol – your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake.
Aspirin and many other medicines used to treat arthritis, period pain, headaches – these medicines may irritate the stomach and may make your condition worse. Your doctor or pharmacist may suggest other medicines you can take.
Caffeine – your doctor may advise you to limit the number of drinks which contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, cocoa and cola drinks, because they contain ingredients that may irritate your stomach.
Eating habits – eat smaller, more frequent meals. Eat slowly and chew your food carefully. Try not to rush at meal times.
Smoking – your doctor may advise you to stop smoking or at least cut down.
Weight – your doctor may suggest losing some weight to help your condition.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking pantoprazole.
This medicine helps most people, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
headache
dizziness
diarrhoea
nausea or vomiting
stomach pain
excessive gas in the stomach or bowel
indigestion
constipation
dry mouth
metallic taste
weakness or tiredness
increased sweating or body temperature
blurred vision
skin problems, such as itchiness and rash
trouble sleeping
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
unusual tiredness or weakness
blood in the urine
increased or decreased need to urinate
high blood pressure
depression or anxiety
The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
skin problems such as itchiness and rash, or swelling, blistering or peeling of the skin or rash when exposed to the sun, possibly with pain in the joints
swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
bone fracture of the hip, wrist or spine (mainly a risk in people who take high doses of PPIs or use them long term (a year or longer))
symptoms such as seizures, abnormal or fast heartbeat or jerking/shaking movements. These can be a sign of low magnesium levels in your blood
severe and/or persistent diarrhoea, because this medicine has been associated with a small increase in infectious diarrhoea
nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and dark coloured urine
confusion
chest pain
shortness of breath
swelling of the legs
bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people.
Storage and disposal
Storage
Keep your medicine in its original packaging until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of their original packaging they may not keep well.
Keep your medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature will stay below 25°C. Protect from light and moisture.
Do not store your medicine, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
Product description
What APOTEX-Pantoprazole looks like
The tablets are available as 20 mg and 40 mg strengths. The tablets have an acid-resistant coating called an enteric coating.
20 mg tablets
Yellow, oval, biconvex, enteric-coated tablets engraved “APO” on one side, “20” on the other side. AUST R 156337.
Blister pack of 30 tablets.
40 mg tablets
Yellow, oval, biconvex, enteric-coated tablets engraved “APO” on one side, “40” on the other side. AUST R 156340.
Blister pack of 5 and 30 tablets
*Not all strengths and/or pack sizes may be available.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in the tablets is pantoprazole (as sodium sesquihydrate).
The tablets also contain the following as inactive ingredients:
lactose
crospovidone
microcrystalline cellulose
magnesium stearate
hypromellose
macrogol 8000
sodium carbonate
methacrylic acid copolymer
triethyl citrate
purified talc
titanium dioxide
iron oxide yellow.
This medicine is gluten-free, sucrose-free, tartrazine-free and other azo dyes-free.
Sponsor
Apotex Pty Ltd
16 Giffnock Avenue
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Australia
Tel: (02) 8877 8333
Web: www1.apotex.com/au
APO and APOTEX are the registered trademarks of Apotex Inc.
This leaflet was last updated in September 2019.
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