Protonix

Protonix (pantoprazole sodium) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). PPIs are powerful medications that block the production of acid in the stomach. They treat acid-reflux and related conditions. Other PPIs include, among others, Nexium (esomeprazole) and Prilosec (omeprazole).

Protonix acts on proton pumps in the stomach. These tiny pumps secrete gastric acid. Protonix causes these pumps to produce less acid.

Protonix is a prescription-only medication. Doctors may prescribe it to adults or to children 5 years and older.

Pfizer manufactures Protonix. Several companies also manufacture generic versions of pantoprazole.

Protonix is for short-term treatment of acid-related esophagus damage. It may also treat other acid-related conditions. Protonix is not for immediate heartburn relief.

Approved Protonix Uses

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hypersecretory conditions including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
• Short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis (EE)
• Maintenance and healing of EE

Doctors may prescribe Protonix to treat erosive esophagitis in both adults and children. Short-term treatment lasts up to eight weeks. There is no safety information on longer use in children. But doctors may prescribe a second eight-week course in some adults with EE.

Doctors may also prescribe Protonix for long-term use to treat excess stomach acid. Long-term treatment is anything lasting more than eight weeks. There is no research on the effects of taking Protonix for more than 12 months.

Protonix side effects include rare but serious conditions. Serious PPI side effects most often result from long-term use.

Several 2022 studies have found links between PPIs and more than a dozen major side effects. Lawsuits also blame Protonix and other PPIs for life-altering problems.

Symptoms of Serious Protonix Side Effects

People should let their doctor know immediately if they experience Protonix side effects. These symptoms may indicate a serious problem.

Always talk to your doctor before stopping Protonix. Stopping suddenly can cause other medical problems.

Some people may be able to manage their symptoms with alternatives to PPIs. These may include other medications or lifestyle changes.

Common Protonix Side Effects

Less serious Protonix side effects are more likely to occur than serious ones. The most common side effects of Protonix are the same for adults and children, but upper respiratory infection is only common in children who take Protonix.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has ordered PPI makers to add specific warnings to their products. But the list does not include all potential Protonix side effects.

Protonix Side Effect Label Warnings

• Gastric malignancy
• Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN)
• Clostridium difficile (C. diff) associated diarrhea
• Bone fractures in hip, wrist and spine
• Cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematosus
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency
• Magnesium deficiency

Studies dating back to the 1990s have linked PPIs like Protonix to kidney problems. Protonix kidney side effects may include kidney damage or injury.

Lawsuits claim Protonix caused life-threatening kidney problems. The Protonix lawsuits are part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL). A judicial panel combined them in a New Jersey federal court. MDLs allow several similar lawsuits to move more quickly through the court process.

The New Jersey MDL includes lawsuits over several different PPI brands. As of July 2019, there were 12,775 PPI lawsuits in the MDL.

Protonix lawyers are still taking new cases. They expect to file thousands more PPI lawsuits before the first case goes to trial.

There have been no verdicts or settlements in the MDL. But Pfizer once paid a $55 million settlement to the U.S. Justice Department in a Protonix lawsuit. The government had claimed Pfizer promoted Protonix for unapproved uses.

The recommended adult Protonix dose is 40 mg once daily. Protonix is also available in 20 mg doses for children five to 16 years of age.

Doctors may also deliver Protonix as an IV drip or injection into a vein. Hospitals may prescribe Protonix to prevent stress ulcers during patients’ stay. Studies have suggested Protonix and other PPIs may be over-used in hospitals.

Protonix interactions can happen if people take other drugs while using Protonix. People should tell their doctors about medicines they are on before taking Protonix.

Protonix Drug Interactions Can Occur With:

• Coumadin, Jantoven (warfarin)
• Lanoxin, Digox, Digitek (digoxin)
• Hetacin (hetacillin) and other ampicillin esters
• Iron salts
• Nizoral, Xolegel, Extina (ketoconazole)
• Methotrexate
• Plavix (clopidogrel)
• Reyataz (atazanavir) or Viracept (nelfinavir) HIV antiretroviral drugs

Protonix can also cause false positives in drug tests for marijuana use.

People can suffer a Protonix overdose. In the U.S., people should call the Poison Help Line for Protonix overdose help. That number is 1-800-222-1212. It connects people to their local poison center.

There is no Protonix over-the-counter (OTC) version available. Other OTC drugs may be similar to Protonix. Prilosec OTC, Nexium 24HR and Prevacid 24HR are available over the counter.

The generic name for Protonix is pantoprazole. Pfizer’s patent on pantoprazole ran out in 2010. The FDA approved the first generic versions of pantoprazole that same year.

The agency has approved several generic pantoprazole applications since then. All generic versions require a prescription.