OverviewDosageSide EffectsInteractionsHalf-Life

Pantoprazole was the 19th most commonly prescribed drug in the United States in 2017. During this year, there were a total of 27,081,978 prescriptions. Considering how popular this drug is for treating stomach acid reflux and damage to the esophagus, along with other medical conditions, it is ideal to know more about this medication and how it impacts your system.

Basic Information

Medscape has stated the following information regarding pantoprazole half-life:

Mean effective half-life: 1 hour

Time to steady-state: 3 days for once daily dosage

Mean accumulation ratio: No accumulation was indicated in adults

Terminal phase half-life: 1 hour

Pantoprazole has an oral bioavailability of 77%. There is no accumulation of pantoprazole in the body, as it can take anywhere from 2 to 3 days to a full week for this drug to work. The absorption rate for this drug in tablet form is unaffected when taken with food. However, the oral suspension granules added to applesauce may decrease the plasma concentration time curve (AUC) by 29% as it enters the bloodstream more slowly. The liver extensively metabolizes this drug, as 71% of pantoprazole is eliminated in urine and 18% is eliminated in feces.

FAQ

What is the half-life of pantoprazole?

The half-life of pantoprazole is 1 hour. So up to 50% of the drug when taking a 40 mg dose becomes absorbed and excreted during this time frame. Pantoprazole is taken once daily when treating erosive esophagitis and twice daily when treating pathological hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

How long does pantoprazole stay in your system?

Pantoprazole is negligibly detected in blood, saliva, urine, and hair. This drug stays in the system for roughly 1 hour before being eliminated.

How long does pantoprazole 40 mg last?

A 40 mg dose of pantoprazole will stay in the system for 1 hour before being eliminated. Eating fatty and rich foods may impact the effectiveness and elimination rate for this medication.

How long should I wait to eat after taking pantoprazole?

When taking the tablet form of pantoprazole, a person may take this food with a meal. If you are prescribed the oral suspension of pantoprazole, it should be added to apple juice or apple sauce and taken 30 minutes before having a meal.

Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.


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