Each enteric coated tablet contains Pantoprazole Sodium equivalent to Pantoprazole 40mg.

Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor; it inhibits specifically and dose proportionally H+, K+ -ATpase, the enzyme which is responsible for gastric acid secretion in the parietal cells of the stomach.

Pantoprazole is a substituted benzimidazole which accumulates in the acidic compartment of the parietal cells after absorption. In the parietal cell it is protonated and chemically rearranged to the active inhibitor, a cyclic sulphenamide, which binds to the H+, K+ -ATpase thus inhibiting the proton pump and causing suppression of stimulated and basal gastric acid secretion after oral Pantoprazole dosing. Because Pantoprazole acts distal to the receptor level, it can influence gastric acid secretion irrespective of the nature of the stimulus.

Pantoprazole exerts its full effect in a strongly acidic environment (Ph<3) and remains mostly inactive at higher pH values which explains its selectively for the acid secreting parietal cells of the stomach. Therefore, the complete pharmacological and therapeutic effect for Pantoprazole can only be achieved in the acid-secreting parietal cells. By means of a feedback mechanism this effect is diminished at the same rate as acid secretion is inhibited.

Pantoprazole is unstable in acid and is administered orally in the form of an enteric-coated tablet. Absorption takes place in the small intestine. On average, the maximum serum/plasma concentrations are approximately 2 to 3 microorganisms/mL about 2 ½ hours after administration of 40mg Pantoprazole daily , as a single or multiple dose in healthy volunteers. The absolute bioavailability of Pantoprazole from single and multiple oral doses of Pantoprazole is approximately 77%.

The plasma kinetics for Pantoprazole after both oral and intravenous administration is linear over the dose range 10 - 80mg.

Pantoprazole is almost exclusively metabolised in the liver. The main metabolite is desmethylpantoprazole which is conjugated with Sulphate.

Renal elimination represents the most important route of excretion (approximately 80%) for the metabolites of Pantoprazole. The balance is excreted with the faeces. The half-life of the main metabolite is approximately 1 ½ hours which is slightly longer than that of Pantoprazole.

Pantoprazole 40 is indicated for the short-term treatment duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer and reflux esophagitis. If the duodenal ulcer has been demonstrated to be associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, Pantoprazole 40 used in combination with appropriate antibiotics may be useful.

Pantoprazole 40 is available in blister strips of 10 tablets.