Pantoprazole

Pantoprazole

Uses

Pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), is used to manage various acid-related gastrointestinal conditions, including:

  1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Symptomatic relief and healing of erosive esophagitis.
  2. Erosive Esophagitis: Associated with GERD or other acid-peptic disorders.
  3. Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: Management of hypersecretory conditions.
  4. Peptic Ulcer Disease: Adjunct to eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori or prevention of NSAID-induced ulcers.


Dosage and Administration

Oral Administration

  • Children: 1–2 mg/kg once daily (maximum 40 mg/day).
  • Adults: 40 mg once daily; severe cases may require 80 mg/day.

Intravenous Administration

  • Children: 0.5–1 mg/kg once daily (maximum 40 mg/day).
  • Adults: 40 mg once daily; up to 80 mg/day if clinically indicated.

Infusion Protocol

  • Initial Bolus: 2 mg/kg IV over 15 minutes.
  • Continuous Infusion: 0.2 mg/kg/hour for severe conditions requiring sustained acid suppression.


Presentation

  1. Tablets: 20 mg, 40 mg.
  2. Injection: 40 mg/vial (for IV use).


Pharmacokinetics

  1. Absorption:

    • Oral bioavailability ~77%, unaffected by food.
    • Peak plasma concentration achieved within 2–2.5 hours.
  2. Distribution:

    • Plasma protein binding ~98%.
  3. Metabolism:

    • Extensively metabolized in the liver via CYP2C19 and CYP3A4.
    • Metabolites are inactive.
  4. Excretion:

    • Primarily via urine (~80%) and feces (~20%).
  5. Plasma Half-Life:

    • 1–1.5 hours; however, effects persist due to prolonged binding to the H+/K+ ATPase pump.


Pharmacodynamics

Pantoprazole works by inhibiting the proton pump (H+/K+ ATPase) in the gastric parietal cells, thereby:

  1. Reducing gastric acid secretion, leading to increased gastric pH.
  2. Suppressing both basal and stimulated acid production regardless of stimulus (e.g., histamine, gastrin).
  3. Providing prolonged acid suppression even after plasma levels decline.


Drug Interactions

  1. Drugs Requiring Gastric Acidity for Absorption:
    • Reduced absorption of drugs like ketoconazole, itraconazole, and iron salts.
  2. Clopidogrel:
    • May reduce the antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel by inhibiting CYP2C19.
  3. Methotrexate:
    • High-dose methotrexate may have delayed clearance due to pantoprazole.
  4. Warfarin:
    • Increased INR and bleeding risk when co-administered.


Precautions and Special Considerations

  1. Long-Term Use Risks:
    • May lead to vitamin B12 deficiency, hypomagnesemia, and increased risk of osteoporotic fractures.
  2. Hepatic Impairment:
    • Dose adjustment required in severe hepatic dysfunction.
  3. Hypomagnesemia:
    • Monitor for symptoms like seizures, muscle cramps, and arrhythmias in long-term therapy.
  4. Clostridioides difficile Infection:
    • Chronic use may increase the risk of C. difficile-associated diarrhea.

Pregnancy and Lactation

  • Pregnancy Category B (FDA):
    • No evidence of fetal harm in animal studies; however, limited human data. Use only if clearly needed.
  • Lactation:
    • Pantoprazole is excreted in breast milk. Use with caution in breastfeeding mothers.


Side Effects

Common:

  • Headache, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, and abdominal pain.

Serious:

  • Hypomagnesemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, bone fractures, and interstitial nephritis.


Recent Updates and Guidelines

  1. American College of Gastroenterology (2022):

    • Pantoprazole remains a first-line therapy for GERD and erosive esophagitis.
  2. FDA Safety Communication (2021):

    • Emphasis on monitoring for hypomagnesemia during prolonged use.
  3. Management of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (2023):

    • High-dose pantoprazole (80–160 mg/day) recommended for effective acid suppression.


References

  1. Lexicomp Online, Pantoprazole: Drug Information, 2023.
  2. UpToDate, Pantoprazole: Patient Drug Information, 2023.
  3. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 13th Edition, McGraw-Hill Education, 2017.
  4. FDA Drug Safety Communications, Pantoprazole Monitoring Guidelines, 2021.
  5. American College of Gastroenterology Guidelines for GERD and PUD Management, 2022.


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