📌 COMPOSITION

Each capsule contains: Pantoprazole Sodium Sesquihydrate equivalent to Pantoprazole 40 mg (as enteric coated pellets).

📌 DESCRIPTION

Pentrax (Pantoprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that suppresses the final step in gastric acid production by covalently binding to (H⁺/K⁺)-ATPase enzyme system at the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cells. Pentrax is prepared as enteric-coated pellets so that absorption of Pantoprazole begins only after the capsule leaves the stomach. The absorption of Pantoprazole is rapid, with a Cmax of 2.5 μg/ml that occurs approximately 2.5 hours after oral dose. Following initial oral dose of 40 mg Pantoprazole, a 51% mean inhibition of acid secretion was achieved by 2.5 hours. With once a day dosing for 7 days the mean inhibition was increased to 85%. Secretion had returned to normal within a week after the last dose of Pantoprazole. There was no evidence of rebound hypersecretion. Pantoprazole is extensively metabolized in the liver and excreted in urine.

📌 INDICATIONS

Pentrax is indicated in the following cases:

• Short-term treatment of Erosive Esophagitis associated with Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Maintenance of healing of Erosive Esophagitis.
• Pathological Hypersecretory conditions including Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.

📌 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION

• Treatment of Erosive Esophagitis: The recommended adult oral dose is 40 mg given once daily for up to 8 weeks. For those patients who have not healed after 8 weeks of treatment, an additional 8 weeks of Pentrax may be considered.
• Maintenance of healing of Erosive Esophagitis: The recommended adult oral dose is one Pentrax capsule 40 mg taken daily.
• Pathological Hypersecretory conditions including Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: The recommended adult starting dose is 40 mg twice daily. The dose should be adjusted to individual patient needs and should continue for as long as clinically indicated.

📌 RESTRICTIONS ON USE

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity reaction to Pantoprazole.

Use in Pregnancy & Lactation

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on its use.

Precautions

Treatment with Pantoprazole may mask symptoms of malignancy and therefore delay diagnosis.

📌 DRUG INTERACTIONS

Pantoprazole may interfere with absorption of drugs where gastric pH is an important determinant of their bioavailability, e.g.: Ketoconazole, Ampicillin esters and iron salts.

📌 SIDE EFFECTS

Pantoprazole is well tolerated in both short-term and long-term trials. Reported adverse effects include: headache, diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain, rash and eructation. Nausea, vomiting and abnormal liver function tests may appear in long-term treatment.

📌 STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS

• Store below 30°C in a dry place, protect from light.
• Close the bottle tightly after each use.
• Discard three months from the date of opening.

📌 PRESENTATIONS

• Pentrax capsules: Pack of 14 capsules.
• Pentrax capsules: Strip pack of 10 × 10 capsules.