PROTONIX® Dosage and Administration

(pantoprazole sodium)

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Recommended Dosing Schedule

PROTONIX is supplied as delayed-release granules in packets for preparation of oral suspensions or as delayed-release tablets. The recommended dosages are outlined in Table 1.

Table 1: Recommended Dosing Schedule for PROTONIX
IndicationDoseFrequency
*
For adult patients who have not healed after 8 weeks of treatment, an additional 8-week course of PROTONIX may be considered.
†
Controlled studies did not extend beyond 12 months
‡
Dosage regimens should be adjusted to individual patient needs and should continue for as long as clinically indicated. Doses up to 240 mg daily have been administered.

Short-Term Treatment of Erosive Esophagitis Associated With GERD

  Adults

40 mg

Once daily for up to 8 weeks*

  Children (5 years and older)

    ≥ 15 kg to < 40 kg

20 mg

Once daily for up to 8 weeks

    ≥ 40 kg

40 mg

Maintenance of Healing of Erosive Esophagitis

  Adults

40 mg

Once daily†

Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions Including Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

  Adults

40 mg

Twice daily‡

2.2 Administration Instructions

Directions for method of administration for each dosage form are presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Administration Instructions
FormulationRouteInstructions*
*
Do not split, chew, or crush PROTONIX Delayed-Release Tablets and PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension.

Delayed-Release Tablets

Oral

Swallowed whole, with or without food

For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension

Oral

Administered in 1 teaspoonful of applesauce or apple juice approximately 30 minutes prior to a meal

For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension

Nasogastric tube

See instructions below

Take a missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular scheduled time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

PROTONIX Delayed-Release Tablets

Swallow PROTONIX Delayed-Release Tablets whole, with or without food in the stomach. For patients unable to swallow a 40 mg tablet, two 20 mg tablets may be taken. Concomitant administration of antacids does not affect the absorption of PROTONIX Delayed-Release Tablets.

PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension

Administer PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension approximately 30 minutes prior to a meal via oral administration in apple juice or applesauce or nasogastric tube in apple juice only. Because proper pH is necessary for stability, do not administer PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension in liquids other than apple juice, or foods other than applesauce.

Do not divide the 40 mg PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension packet to create a 20 mg dosage for pediatric patients who are unable to take the tablet formulation.

PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension - Oral Administration in Applesauce

•
Open packet.
•
Sprinkle granules on one teaspoonful of applesauce. DO NOT USE OTHER FOODS OR CRUSH OR CHEW THE GRANULES.
•
Take within 10 minutes of preparation.
•
Take sips of water to make sure granules are washed down into the stomach. Repeat water sips as necessary.

PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension - Oral Administration in Apple Juice

•
Open packet.
•
Empty granules into a small cup or teaspoon containing one teaspoon of apple juice.
•
Stir for 5 seconds (granules will not dissolve) and swallow immediately.
•
To make sure that the entire dose is taken, rinse the container once or twice with apple juice to remove any remaining granules. Swallow immediately.

PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension - Nasogastric (NG) Tube or Gastrostomy Tube Administration

For patients who have a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube in place, PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension can be given as follows:

•
Remove the plunger from the barrel of a 2 ounce (60 mL) catheter-tip syringe. Discard the plunger.
•
Connect the catheter tip of the syringe to a 16 French (or larger) tube.
•
Hold the syringe attached to the tubing as high as possible while giving PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension to prevent any bending of the tubing.
•
Empty the contents of the packet into the barrel of the syringe.
•
Add 10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) of apple juice and gently tap and/or shake the barrel of the syringe to help rinse the syringe and tube. Repeat at least twice more using the same amount of apple juice (10 mL or 2 teaspoonfuls) each time. No granules should remain in the syringe.

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Health Professional Information

Dosage and Administration

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Recommended Dosing Schedule

PROTONIX is supplied as delayed-release granules in packets for preparation of oral suspensions or as delayed-release tablets. The recommended dosages are outlined in Table 1.

Table 1: Recommended Dosing Schedule for PROTONIX
IndicationDoseFrequency
*
For adult patients who have not healed after 8 weeks of treatment, an additional 8-week course of PROTONIX may be considered.
†
Controlled studies did not extend beyond 12 months
‡
Dosage regimens should be adjusted to individual patient needs and should continue for as long as clinically indicated. Doses up to 240 mg daily have been administered.

Short-Term Treatment of Erosive Esophagitis Associated With GERD

  Adults

40 mg

Once daily for up to 8 weeks*

  Children (5 years and older)

    ≥ 15 kg to < 40 kg

20 mg

Once daily for up to 8 weeks

    ≥ 40 kg

40 mg

Maintenance of Healing of Erosive Esophagitis

  Adults

40 mg

Once daily†

Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions Including Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

  Adults

40 mg

Twice daily‡

2.2 Administration Instructions

Directions for method of administration for each dosage form are presented in Table 2.

Table 2: Administration Instructions
FormulationRouteInstructions*
*
Do not split, chew, or crush PROTONIX Delayed-Release Tablets and PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension.

Delayed-Release Tablets

Oral

Swallowed whole, with or without food

For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension

Oral

Administered in 1 teaspoonful of applesauce or apple juice approximately 30 minutes prior to a meal

For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension

Nasogastric tube

See instructions below

Take a missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular scheduled time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

PROTONIX Delayed-Release Tablets

Swallow PROTONIX Delayed-Release Tablets whole, with or without food in the stomach. For patients unable to swallow a 40 mg tablet, two 20 mg tablets may be taken. Concomitant administration of antacids does not affect the absorption of PROTONIX Delayed-Release Tablets.

PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension

Administer PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension approximately 30 minutes prior to a meal via oral administration in apple juice or applesauce or nasogastric tube in apple juice only. Because proper pH is necessary for stability, do not administer PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension in liquids other than apple juice, or foods other than applesauce.

Do not divide the 40 mg PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension packet to create a 20 mg dosage for pediatric patients who are unable to take the tablet formulation.

PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension - Oral Administration in Applesauce

•
Open packet.
•
Sprinkle granules on one teaspoonful of applesauce. DO NOT USE OTHER FOODS OR CRUSH OR CHEW THE GRANULES.
•
Take within 10 minutes of preparation.
•
Take sips of water to make sure granules are washed down into the stomach. Repeat water sips as necessary.

PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension - Oral Administration in Apple Juice

•
Open packet.
•
Empty granules into a small cup or teaspoon containing one teaspoon of apple juice.
•
Stir for 5 seconds (granules will not dissolve) and swallow immediately.
•
To make sure that the entire dose is taken, rinse the container once or twice with apple juice to remove any remaining granules. Swallow immediately.

PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension - Nasogastric (NG) Tube or Gastrostomy Tube Administration

For patients who have a nasogastric tube or gastrostomy tube in place, PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension can be given as follows:

•
Remove the plunger from the barrel of a 2 ounce (60 mL) catheter-tip syringe. Discard the plunger.
•
Connect the catheter tip of the syringe to a 16 French (or larger) tube.
•
Hold the syringe attached to the tubing as high as possible while giving PROTONIX For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension to prevent any bending of the tubing.
•
Empty the contents of the packet into the barrel of the syringe.
•
Add 10 mL (2 teaspoonfuls) of apple juice and gently tap and/or shake the barrel of the syringe to help rinse the syringe and tube. Repeat at least twice more using the same amount of apple juice (10 mL or 2 teaspoonfuls) each time. No granules should remain in the syringe.
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