Key takeaways

  • Pantoprazole oral tablet, which is used to treat conditions including esophagitis related to GERD, can cause mild to serious side effects.
  • More common side effects of pantoprazole include headache, nausea, and stomach pain. Serious side effects, though rare, can include kidney issues and an increased risk of bone fractures.
  • Long-term use of pantoprazole may lead to low magnesium or vitamin B12 levels, an increased risk of osteoporosis or lupus, and stomach polyps. Due to these risks, doctors prescribe the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

Pantoprazole is a generic prescription drug used to:

Pantoprazole comes as delayed-release oral tablets. These tablets have a special coating that allows them to pass through your stomach without dissolving, helping them release the drug into your body at the right time. Pantoprazole also comes as an oral suspension and in an injectable form, but this article does not cover these types.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects pantoprazole can cause.

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Pantoprazole can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, worsen, or become too difficult to tolerate.

Examples of pantoprazole’s most common side effects reported in studies include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Mild side effects have been reported with pantoprazole. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily manageable. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking pantoprazole unless your doctor recommends it.

Pantoprazole may cause mild side effects other than those listed here. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

It’s possible, but not common, to have serious side effects with pantoprazole. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for the pantoprazole delayed-release oral tablet.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking pantoprazole, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking pantoprazole and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, pantoprazole can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue pantoprazole treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to pantoprazole, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Long-term use of pantoprazole may raise the risk of certain side effects. Side effects associated with long-term use include:

  • increased risk of osteoporosis-related broken bones in the hip, spine, or wrist
  • low magnesium levels
  • low vitamin B12 levels
  • new or worsening lupus
  • polyps in the lining of the upper part of the stomach

Due to the risk of these side effects, doctors typically prescribe the lowest effective dose of pantoprazole for the shortest time possible for treating your condition.

If you have concerns about taking pantoprazole long term, talk with your doctor. Ask how long your treatment will last and what side effects to watch for.

Learn more about some of the side effects pantoprazole may cause.

Nausea

Some people may experience nausea while taking pantoprazole. In studies of the drug, nausea was one of the most common side effects that people reported. Nausea can also be a symptom of GERD and other conditions that pantoprazole treats.

But sometimes, nausea can be a symptom of a more serious side effect of pantoprazole, such as acute nephritis (sudden kidney inflammation).

If you experience nausea while taking pantoprazole, tell your doctor. They can help determine the cause and suggest ways to manage it.

Call your doctor right away if nausea prevents you from being able to drink liquids. This can be a sign of dehydration. Severe dehydration can lead to serious conditions such as kidney failure.

Headache

Pantoprazole may cause headaches, which were the most common side effect reported by people in studies. Headaches can be a symptom of various conditions.

If you experience headaches that bother you while taking pantoprazole, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and suggest ways to manage them. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
  • try a ‘headache diet‘
  • apply a cold or warm compress (whichever feels better to you)
  • take a pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol)

If headaches continue or become severe, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you take a break from pantoprazole treatment or find another treatment that’s less likely to cause this side effect.

Abdominal (stomach) pain

Some people may experience stomach pain while taking pantoprazole. Along with nausea and headache, this was one of the most common side effects that people taking pantoprazole reported in studies.

But stomach pain can also be a symptom of GERD and other conditions that pantoprazole treats. It can also be a symptom of other serious conditions.

What might help

If you have stomach pain during your pantoprazole treatment, tell your doctor. They can help determine the cause and suggest how to manage it. But if you have stomach pain that’s severe or doesn’t go away, seek medical care right away.

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about pantoprazole’s side effects.

Does my risk of side effects from pantoprazole depend on the strength I take (20 mg or 40 mg)?

No, it isn’t likely. In studies of pantoprazole, the side effects that people reported were unrelated to the strength they took.

Some factors that may affect your risk of side effects with pantoprazole include other health conditions you have or other medications you take.

To learn more about your risk of side effects from pantoprazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do older adults have a higher risk of side effects from pantoprazole?

No, the rate of side effects reported in studies was similar regardless of age.

But certain conditions are more likely to occur in older adults (ages 65 and older). These can include osteoporosis-related broken bones, a side effect of pantoprazole. This means older adults with low bone density or osteoporosis who take pantoprazole may have an increased risk for this side effect.

To find out more about your risk of side effects from pantoprazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does pantoprazole cause any throat-related side effects?

It’s not likely. Throat-related side effects, such as throat pain, weren’t reported in studies of pantoprazole. But throat pain and other throat issues can be symptoms of the conditions that pantoprazole treats.

If you have throat-related problems while taking pantoprazole, tell your doctor. They can determine if your symptoms are related to stomach acid or some other cause.

If you’re concerned about throat-related side effects, talk with your doctor.

Note: An allergic reaction to pantoprazole can cause throat swelling or tightening. If you have this symptom, seek medical care right away. To learn more, see “Allergic reaction.”

Does pantoprazole cause weight gain or weight loss?

People taking pantoprazole in studies did not report weight gain or weight loss. But weight changes have been reported after the drug was approved for use.

If you experience bothersome weight changes while taking pantoprazole, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what’s causing the weight change and how to manage it.

Is pantoprazole used to treat anxiety?

No, pantoprazole does not treat anxiety. But anxiety and GERD are often connected. People with anxiety can experience GERD, and people with GERD may feel anxious. Someone with anxiety may take pantoprazole to treat GERD, but not to treat anxiety.

To find out more about managing anxiety symptoms and GERD, talk with your doctor.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting pantoprazole. This drug may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. Other factors may also affect whether pantoprazole is a good treatment option for you. Tell your doctor if any of the following factors apply to you.

Low magnesium levels: Pantoprazole can cause low levels of magnesium. If you already have this condition, taking pantoprazole could worsen it. Before starting pantoprazole treatment, it’s important to tell your doctor if you know you have low magnesium levels. Your doctor may want to check your levels and treat your condition before starting pantoprazole. They may also check your magnesium levels regularly during your treatment.

Lupus: Pantoprazole may cause lupus in some people. If you already have this condition, pantoprazole could make it worse. Talk with your doctor before taking pantoprazole. They can determine if this drug is right for you.

Neuroendocrine tumors: If you have a neuroendocrine tumor, talk with your doctor before taking pantoprazole. This medication can cause inaccurate results on tests for neuroendocrine tumors. If you need testing for a neuroendocrine tumor, your doctor will likely have you stop taking pantoprazole at least 2 weeks before the test.

Osteoporosis: Pantoprazole can increase the risk of osteoporosis-related broken bones in the hips, spine, or wrists if used long term. If you have osteoporosis, your risk of broken bones is already higher. Before starting pantoprazole, be sure to tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis. They may recommend another treatment or make sure you take the drug for the shortest amount of time possible.

Stomach cancer: Stomach cancer can cause symptoms similar to GERD and other conditions that pantoprazole treats. Your doctor may order testing for stomach cancer even if pantoprazole seems to help your symptoms.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to pantoprazole or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol and pantoprazole

There are no known interactions between alcohol and pantoprazole. But alcohol can worsen symptoms of GERD and other conditions that pantoprazole treats.

Alcohol can also cause many of the same side effects as pantoprazole, such as dizziness and headache. Using them together may make these side effects worse.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe to drink with your condition and treatment plan.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking pantoprazole

It is unknown if pantoprazole is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or are planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor about the safety of taking pantoprazole.

Pantoprazole can pass into human breast milk. But it is unknown whether the drug may affect a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before taking pantoprazole.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.