Pantoprazole
Also known as: Protonix, Pantoloc, Controloc, Zurcal, Pantozol, Pantop, Protium, Somac-MA
> **Important:** Tablets must be given whole; do not split, crush, or allow your pet to chew them. The special coating protects the drug from being destroyed by stomach acid before it can be absorbed. * Administer exactly as directed by your veterinarian. * **Monitor for severe signs:** If your pet develops bloody diarrhea, tarry-black stools (melena), or vomits blood (or material that looks like coffee grounds), contact your veterinarian immediately. * Contact your veterinarian if vomiting or diarrhea persists or becomes severe.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Gastric acid suppression
- All uses (ulcers, oesophagitis, hypersecretory conditions)
- Gastric acid suppression in neonatal foals
- Intravenous treatment of stress-related mucosal disease
- Gastric acid suppression
- All uses (ulcers, oesophagitis, hypersecretory conditions)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Diarrhea
- Headache (reported in humans)
- Hyperglycemia (rare, ~1% in humans)
- Injection site reactions (thrombophlebitis, abscess) with IV use
- Potential increased risk of community-acquired pneumonia (noted in human literature)
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Hyperglycaemia (rare)
- Increased risk of pneumonia
- Thrombophlebitis (associated with IV injection)
Cautions & contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to pantoprazole or other substituted benzimidazole PPIs
- Intramuscular (IM) or Subcutaneous (SQ) administration (parenteral form must be given IV)
- Intramuscular (IM) administration
- Subcutaneous (SC) administration
- Parenteral pantoprazole MUST be administered IV; do not give IM or SQ. Reconstituted injection (4 mg/mL) must be administered intravenously over not less than 2 minutes. Use with caution in pregnant animals (FDA Category B in humans) though animal studies have not demonstrated teratogenic effects. May cause false-positive results for urine screening tests for THC.
Drug interactions
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole, iron, ampicillin esters: Decreased drug absorption due to increased gastric pH (these drugs require an acidic environment for optimal absorption)
- Sucralfate: May decrease the bioavailability of orally administered pantoprazole
- Warfarin: Pantoprazole may increase the anticoagulant effect
- Itraconazole: Decreased absorption of itraconazole due to increased gastric pH
- Ketoconazole: Decreased absorption of ketoconazole due to increased gastric pH
Frequently asked questions
What is Pantoprazole used for in pets?
> **Important:** Tablets must be given whole; do not split, crush, or allow your pet to chew them. The special coating protects the drug from being destroyed by stomach acid before it can be absorbed. * Administer exactly as directed by your veterinarian. * **Monitor for severe signs:** If your pet develops bloody diarrhea, tarry-black stools (melena), or vomits blood (or material that looks like coffee grounds), contact your veterinarian immediately. * Contact your veterinarian if vomiting or diarrhea persists or becomes severe.
Is Pantoprazole safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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