<b id="quote">quote:</b id="quote"><table border="0" id="quote"><tr id="quote"><td class="quote" id="quote">Why is this medication prescribed?
Pantoprazole is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. It is used for short-term treatment of heartburn and injury of the food pipe (esophagus) caused by backward flow of acid from the stomach. It decreases the amount of acid made in the stomach.
This medicine is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Pantoprazole comes as an extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Do not split, chew, or crush the tablets; swallow them whole. Pantoprazole is usually taken for 8 weeks, but your doctor may want you to take it for another 8 weeks if your esophagus has not healed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take pantoprazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Symptoms of heartburn and injury to the esophagus should improve within 8 weeks of beginning pantoprazole. If your symptoms do not improve, or if they worsen, call your doctor. Once you and your doctor are sure the drug works for you, continue to take pantoprazole even if you feel well. Do not stop taking pantoprazole without talking to your doctor.
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