Pantoprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – pan-toe-pra-zole
Protonix – brand name

Protonix is available with a doctor’s prescription and is commonly called by it’s brand name, Protonix.

Protonix belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors, called PPI’s. They are:

• Protonix – Pantoprazole
• Nexium – Esomeprazole
• Prilosec – Omeprazole
• Prevacid – Lansoprazole
• Aciphex – Rabeprazole

Protonix works by blocking acid production in the stomach. Protonix is used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in the treatment of duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, and long term treatment of situations where the stomach is producing large amounts of acid, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Protonix is also used for the short term treatment of esophagitis, a severe form of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn.

Protonix may be used in combination with antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and clarithromycin, to treat certain types of ulcers. Protonix may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.