Pantoprazole (P-lock) is indicated where suppression of acid secretion is of therapeutic benefit. Pantoprazole (P-lock) is registered for the following indications: - 1. Peptic ulcer diseases (PUD) 2. Gastro esophageal reflux diseases (GERD) 3. Treatment of ulcer resistant to H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) 4. Treatment of ulcers induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 5. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding from stress or acid peptic diseases 6. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori (in combination with antibiotics) 7. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome 8. Prophylaxis for acid aspiration syndrome during induction of anaesthesia

Delayed release tablet The usual recommended adult oral dose is 40 mg given once daily, before breakfast. The duration of therapy is ranging from 2-8 weeks. Duodenal Ulcers: P-lock 40 mg tablet, once daily for 2 to 4 weeks. Duodenal ulcer generally heals within 2 weeks. Gastric ulcers: P-lock 40 mg tablet, once daily for 4 to 8 weeks. Gastric ulcer generally heals within 4 weeks. Reflux esophagitis: P-lock 40 mg tablet, once daily for 4 to 8 weeks. Reflux esophagitis generally heals within 4 weeks of treatment. In resistant ulcers: P-lock 40 mg tablet, once daily for 8 weeks. Ulcers induced by NSAIDs: P-lock 40 mg tablet once daily, in patients receiving continuous treatment with NSAIDs. GI bleeding from stress or acid peptic diseases: Usual adult oral dosage, if required the dosage may be increased. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori: Triple therapy of P-lock 40 mg twice daily in combination with appropriate antibiotic for one week achieved eradication rates of 90 to100%. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: 4 P-lock 40 mg tablets per day. Once control of acid secretion has been achieved, the dose should be gradually reduced to the lowest effective dose that maintains acid control. Prophylaxis for acid aspiration syndrome during induction of anaesthesia: 1 or 2 P-lock 40 mg tablet should be given the evening before surgery and repeated again the morning of surgery.   Maintenance therapy Maintenance treatment should involve the lowest dose of the drug. Both 20 and 40 mg doses of Pantoprazole (P-lock) are safe and effective in maintaining patients with healed reflux esophagitis and PUD in remission.

P-lock delayed release tablets are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the formulation.

Patients should be cautioned that P-lock delayed release tablets should not be split, chewed or crushed.

Potentially life-threatening effects: None has been reported with respect to Pantoprazole. Severe or irreversible adverse effects: No serious adverse reactions have been described to date. Symptomatic adverse effects: Headache (1.3%) and diarrhoea (1.5%) are the two commonest reported adverse events. It doesn't influence renal, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, cognitive or motor functions and no consistent change have been found in any biochemical or haematological parameters. Peripheral edema has occasionally been reported in female patients. Other side effects may include abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea, epigastric discomfort, flatulence, skin rash, pruritus etc.

Pantoprazole is metabolized through the cytochrome P-450 system, and subsequently undergoes Phase II conjugation. Based on studies evaluating possible interactions of Pantoprazole with other drugs metabolized by the cytochoreme P-450 system, no dosage adjustment is needed with concomitant use of the following drugs; theophylline, antipyrine, caffeine, carbamazepine, diazepam, diclofenac, digoxin, ethanol, glyburide, an oral contraceptive (Levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol), metoprolol, nifedipine, phenytion, or warfarin. There was also no interaction with concomitantly administered antacids.

Pregnant women: USFDA pregnancy category B. Studies using animals have not found any risk to the fetus. Lactating mother: There are no data on the excretion of Pantoprazole into the breast milk. Neonates & Children No data are available on administration of Pantoprazole. Elder patient No problems with Pantoprazole have been encountered in clinical use in this patient group. Concurrent disease No dosage adjustment of Pantoprazole is required in patients with mild, moderate or severe renal insufficiency or in elderly patients. No dosage adjustment is necessary in patients undergoing haemodialysis. No dosage adjustment is needed in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment. In hepatic cirrhosis, it is recommended that the dosing is reduced to every other day.

There are no known symptoms of overdosage in humans. Since Pantoprazole is highly protein bound, it is not readily dialyzable. Apart from symptomatic and supportive management, no specific therapy is recommended.

P-lock 20 tablet: Each box contains 6 Alu-Alu blister strips of 10 tablets. P-lock 40 tablet: Each box contains 3 Alu-Alu blister strips of 10 tablets.