Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.

This is pantoprazole. It reduces acid in your stomach. Pantoprazole helps treat conditions like GERD,  inflammation of the esophagus, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It may have other uses, too. 

You should take this medicine exactly how your doctor tells you to. You can take the dose with or without food. You should swallow the tablet whole and do not split, crush or chew it. People who are unable to swallow the tablets should talk to their doctor about other options. 

Most people tolerate this medicine well. Common side effects include a headache, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and gas. These effects are normal if they are mild and should go away. Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or have joint pain.  If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking it, please talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Over time, this medicine can cause low levels of vitamin B12 and magnesium. You should ask your doctor how to keep an eye on this.

As with any medicine, more serious side effects could occur. With pantoprazole, these include bone fractures, diarrhea from a gut infection, kidney problems, certain types of lupus, and more. You should read the medication guide to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report changes. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow your condition closely. 

Pantoprazole can interact with other medicines. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines.

Pantoprazole may harm unborn babies. Women should talk to their doctors before taking this medicine during pregnancy and before breastfeeding.

For best results with pantoprazole, you should work with your doctor to find the lowest dose that works for you and use it for the shortest time needed.