Contains the active ingredient pantoprazole (as sodium sesquihydrate)
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
Read this leaflet carefully before taking your medicine.
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.
The information in this leaflet was last updated on the date listed on the last page. More recent information on this medicine may be available.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist:
if there is anything you do not understand in this leaflet,
if you are worried about taking your medicine, or
to obtain the most up-to-date information.
You can also download the most up to date leaflet from www.apotex.com.au.
All medicines have risks and benefits.
Pharmaceutical companies cannot give you medical advice or an individual diagnosis.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may want to read it again.
What this medicine is used for
The name of your medicine is APO-Pantoprazole Heartburn Relief Tablets. It contains the active ingredient pantoprazole.
It is used for symptomatic relief of frequent heartburn and stomach acid complaints due gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
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.
Frequent heartburn is when you have heartburn for two or more days a week. Heartburn that occurs frequently is a typical symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
How it works
Pantoprazole belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Pantoprazole works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach makes, to give relief from the symptoms.
This medicine will start to suppress acid within a few hours; however it will not give instant symptom relief. You may need to take this medicine for a few days before experiencing the full effect.
There is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
Use in children
This medicine should not be used in children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
Before you take this medicine
When you must not take it
Do not take this medicine if:
You have or have had cirrhosis or severe liver disease.
You are taking atazanavir, an anti-viral medicine.
You are hypersensitive to, or have had an allergic reaction to, pantoprazole or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include: cough, 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; fainting; or hay fever-like symptoms.
If you think you are having an allergic reaction, do not take any more of the medicine and contact your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at the nearest hospital.
The expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
The packaging is torn, shows signs of tampering or it does not look quite right.
Before you start to take it
Before you start taking this medicine, tell your doctor if:
any other medicines
any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
2.You have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
difficulty swallowing, jaundice, liver problems, anaemia, previous gastric ulcer or gastrointestinal surgery
new or recently changed symptoms including persistent vomiting or vomiting of blood, blood in the stools or unexplained weight loss.
3.You have previously taken heartburn / indigestion medications continuously for 4 or more weeks to control your heartburn.
4.You are currently being treated for GORD symptoms and require pantoprazole for more than 14 days.
5.You are due to have an endoscopy (a special test ordered by your doctor).
6.You are currently pregnant or you plan to become pregnant. Do not take this medicine whilst pregnant until you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.
7.You are currently breastfeeding or you plan to breast-feed. Do not take this medicine whilst breastfeeding until you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved.
8.You are planning to have surgery or an anaesthetic.
9.You are currently receiving or are planning to receive dental treatment.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking or are planning to take any other medicines. This includes vitamins and supplements that are available from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interact with pantoprazole. These include:
atazanavir, do not take this at the same time as pantoprazole
coumarin anti-coagulants such as phenprocoumon and warfarin
ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, medicines used to treat fungal infection
methotrexate, a medicine used to treat arthritis and some types of cancer
erlotinab or related medicines used to treat cancer.
If you are taking any of these you may need a different dose or you may need to take different medicines.
Other medicines not listed above may also interact with pantoprazole.
How to take this medicine
Follow carefully all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. Their instructions may be different to the information in this leaflet.
How much to take
The usual dose is one tablet daily
How to take it
Swallow whole with water. Do not chew or crush tablets.
When to take it
Take this medicine at the same time each day. Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect and will also help you remember when to take it.
It does not matter if you take it before, with or after food.
How long to take it for
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
It should be taken for at least 7 days and up to 14 days. It should not be taken for more than 14 days unless directed by your doctor.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. 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 missed doses.
This may increase the chance of you experiencing side effects.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints to help you remember.
If you take too much (overdose)
If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, immediately telephone your doctor or go to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital.
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
Tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine if:
you are about to be started on any new medicine
you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
you are breastfeeding or are planning to breast-feed
you are about to have any blood tests
you are going to have surgery or an anaesthetic or are going into hospital.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you take this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you do not feel better while taking this medicine. Your doctor may recommend further examination.
Tell your doctor if symptoms persist or recur within 2 weeks of completing the course.
Things you must not do
Do not:
Give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Take your medicine to treat any other condition unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.
Stop taking your medicine, or change the dosage, without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
Things to be careful of
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
Things that may help your condition
Some self-help measures suggested below may help your condition. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about these measures and for more information.
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.
Possible side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking pantoprazole or if you have any questions or concerns.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious but most of the time they are not.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:
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
blurred vision
skin problems such as itchiness and rash.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following.
These may be serious side effects and you may need medical attention:
unusual tiredness or weakness
loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and dark coloured urine
skin problems such as itchiness and rash, or swelling, blistering or peeling of the skin
frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
chest pain
shortness of breath
high blood pressure
swelling of the legs
bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
depression, confusion or anxiety.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients.
Allergic reactions
If you think you are having an allergic reaction to pantoprazole, do not take any more of this medicine and tell your doctor immediately or go to the Accident and Emergency department at your nearest hospital.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include some or all of the following:
cough, 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
fainting
hay fever-like symptoms.
Storage and disposal
Storage
Keep your medicine in its original packaging until it is time to take it.
If you take your medicine out of its original packaging it 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 this medicine 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 or pharmacist tells you to stop taking this medicine or it has passed its expiry date, your pharmacist can dispose of the remaining medicine safely.
Product description
What APO-Pantoprazole Heartburn Relief Tablets look like
The tablets are available in 20 mg strength. The tablets have an acid-resistant coating called an enteric coating.
The tablets are yellow, oval, biconvex, enteric-coated tablets engraved "APO" on one side, "20" on the other side.
Available in blister packs of 7 and 14 tablets
* Not all pack sizes may be available.
Ingredients
Each tablet contains 20 mg of pantoprazole (as sodium sesquihydrate) as the active ingredient.
It also contains the following inactive ingredients:
lactose anhydrous
crospovidone
cellulose-microcrystalline
magnesium stearate
hypromellose
macrogol 8000
anhydrous sodium carbonate
methacrylic acid copolymer
triethyl citrate
talc-purified
titanium dioxide
iron oxide yellow.
This medicine is gluten-free, sucrose-free, tartrazine-free and free of other azo dyes.
