Medications labelled as proton pump incubators (PPIs) restrict as its secretion in gastric system. When acids are made in excess, you tend to develop conditions like heartburn, gastroesophageal reflects disease (GERD) or acid reflux. If left unattended, these may cause ulcers in your stomach and intestine. It is for treating such conditions physicians prescribe drugs of the PPI genre. Pantoprazole is a one of the widely used PPIs. But can you take pantoprazole at night? You are advised to know more about this before commencing your dosage plan.
Your stomach secretes acids to digest foods you eat. Upon being processed in your tummy, foods rarely travel back into your food pipe. However, there are a few instances wherein semi-digested or undigested foods may re-enter into your esophagus i.e., food pipe.
This re-entry of acids occurs when a valve / sphincter – present at the end of your food pipe – loses its elasticity, and closes in a partial manner. Moreover, people who smoke a lot, those who take large-sized meals – especially during nighttime, and those who assume a sleeping posture soon after a meal are known to get it.
So, what is pantoprazole?
Pantoprazole is a PPI drug used for reducing the quantum of acids your body makes. Active chemicals of this PPI block acid-making pumps which make digestive-acids in your gastric tract. Through this action, pantoprazole helps decrease acidity levels and thus brings about needful remedy from heartburn or GERD.
The typical dosage level of pantoprazole is 20 milligrams (mg) to 40 mg; this is taken as a single dose each day. Treatment plan may span between 6 to 7 weeks’ time. If you do not witness remedial outcomes after the end of 7th week, it is highly recommended to consult with your treating physician on an urgent mode.
Can I take pantoprazole at night?
Physicians often prescribe PPIs like pantoprazole before your morning meal. This is mainly because after taking your dinner, there is no fresh intake of foods for nearly 10 to 12 hours. With overnight-starving, your gastric system gets ready to pump acids anticipating your morning meal i.e., breakfast.
Hence, intake of PPIs like pantoprazole gains access to these acid-producing pumps prior to they start secreting digestive acids. Owing to this, efficacy levels of PPIs are at a fairly high level during the morning hours of the day.
This however does not mean that you cannot take PPIs at noon or night time. You need to remember that therapeutic effects of this drug are likely to last for 24 hours. This drug works quite effectively even if taken at night. Caveat: it is a safe practice to take this PPI at the same timeslot, each day of your dosage plan.
A few users of pantoprazole may aim to hasten its remedial outcomes by intake of antacids. In such cases, it is a safe thing to talk to your caregiving team about the use of antacids along with PPIs like pantoprazole. Those who have experienced prior spells of hypersensitivity to PPIs or the key ingredients need to inform their caregiver of such allergies. Your doctor is likely to prescribe alternative drugs in such instances.
People who are allergic to PPIs may develop a few undesired outcomes. These include inflammation of lips, tongue or other oral parts, skin-based conditions like itchiness or formation of blisters, respiratory conditions like gasping for breath, panting or wheezing and at times, pass-out.
If you are a resident of Canada, reach out to a local healthcare facility quickly. You may also dial Health Canada on an emergency basis. On other hand, if you are in the US, seek assistance by dialling 911 or call FDA for immediate medical assistance. Lastly, you are urged to speak with your treating doctor to know more on can I take pantoprazole at night.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Michigan. Experience: Over 8 years of experience writing for health and wellness websites, including WebMD and Healthline, specializing in women’s health and nutrition.