{"id":630613,"date":"2024-12-02T16:21:38","date_gmt":"2024-12-02T21:21:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630613"},"modified":"2024-12-02T16:21:38","modified_gmt":"2024-12-02T21:21:38","slug":"pantoprazole-over-the-counter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/pantoprazole-over-the-counter\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you buy pantoprazole over the counter?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pantoprazole is a type of drug called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and is often sold under the brand name <\/span>Protonix<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s <\/span>used to treat damage to the esophagus<\/span><\/a> caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and in the treatment of certain conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It may also be used to treat stomach inflammation and ulcers.<\/span><\/p>\n

All <\/span>PPIs work by blocking an enzyme<\/span><\/a> that releases gastric acid into the stomach, and pantoprazole works this way, too, binding itself to the enzyme and blocking acid secretion for 24 hours. Some PPIs are sold over the counter (OTC), and others require a prescription.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you get pantoprazole over the counter?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Unlike many other PPIs, pantoprazole is available by prescription only\u2014it\u2019s not sold as an OTC medication. It also doesn\u2019t have any OTC versions. \u201cPantoprazole is manufactured in a stronger dose than many other PPIs sold over-the-counter,\u201d says <\/span>Joanna Lewis<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., founder of The Pharmacist\u2019s Guide. \u201cIt is FDA-indicated for conditions that are more chronic, requiring diagnosis and treatment by a healthcare provider.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Are there any proton pump inhibitors you can get over the counter?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are several PPIs that are available over the counter, but they are typically lower-strength drugs, according to <\/span>Raj Singh<\/span><\/a>, MD, primary care physician at HEALOR and medical director at RAREV Medical Spa in Las Vegas. \u201cHigher-strength PPIs require a prescription,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBasically, the OTC option is a reduced dose or half the dose of the prescription,\u201d Dr. Singh explains. \u201cFor example, OTC Prilosec is 20 milligrams (mg), and we generally would prescribe a 40 milligram dose for a prescription.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Although OTC PPIs contain a lower dose of an active ingredient, they can be a good choice for someone with mild symptoms or who needs quick relief and can\u2019t wait for an appointment with a healthcare provider. If you\u2019re looking to relieve your symptoms of acid reflux, <\/span>heartburn<\/span><\/a>, or indigestion with an OTC alternative, you can try:<\/span><\/p>\n