Virtual Medical Centre

Drugs

Somac Tablets (20mg or 40mg on Prescription)

Generic Name: Pantoprazole
Product Name: Somac Tablets (20mg or 40mg on Prescription)

• Indication of Somac Tablets (20mg or 40mg on Prescription)
• Action of Somac Tablets (20mg or 40mg on Prescription)
• Dose Advice of Somac Tablets (20mg or 40mg on Prescription)
• Schedule of Somac Tablets (20mg or 40mg on Prescription)
• Common side effects of Somac Tablets (20mg or 40mg on Prescription)
• Uncommon side effects of Somac Tablets (20mg or 40mg on Prescription)
• Reference

Indication of Somac Tablets (20mg or 40mg on Prescription):

Somac tablets are used to treat the following symptoms and conditions in adults:

1. Relieving symptoms and healing gastrointestinal wounds caused by excessive gastric acid production associated with:
   • Duodenal ulcer;
   • Gastric ulcer;
   • Reflux oesophagitis;
   • Gastrointestinal lesions which have been treated with H₂ receptor antagonist medication, but which have failed to heal;
   • Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
2. Stopping the return of symptoms of reflux oesophagitis in individuals who have previously had moderate–severe symptoms of reflux, but have been successfully treated;
3. Eradication ofthe bacteria Helicobacter pylori. In these cases, antibiotics should also be taken;
4. Relief of symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD);
5. Prevention of gastrointestinal lesions and dyspepsia caused by long term treatment with non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Somac tablets can also be used to treat children older than five years of age, but should not be used for more than 8 weeks. For children, Somac tablets are used to treat:

1. Symptomatic GORD; and
2. Reflux oesophagitis.

For more information on acid reflux and heartburn and related investigations, treatments and supportive care, see Acid Reflux and Heartburn.

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Action of Somac Tablets (20mg or 40mg on Prescription):

The active ingredient in Somac 40 mg tablets is pantoprazole, which belongs to a group of medications known as proton pump inhibitors. These medications control an enzyme called H⁺/K⁺-ATPase which produces gastric acid in the parietal cells of the stomach. By controlling this enzyme, pantoprazole decreases the amount of acid produced by the stomach. When acid production is controlled, symptoms like acid reflux and stomach lesions caused by excessive acid production are also controlled.

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Dose Advice of Somac Tablets (20mg or 40mg on Prescription):

Dose information

The doctor who prescribed Somac tablets will tell you how much medication to take and how often.

Somac tablets should be swallowed whole. They should not be crushed or chewed.

Contraindications

Somac tablets should not be taken in certain situations. Your doctor will discuss alternatives that will be more suitable for you. Do not take Somac tablets if you have:

• Allergies to any of the medication's components;
• Cirrhosis;
• Moderate to severe liver failure;
• Moderate to severe kidney failure;
• Are currently taking atazanavir.

Precautions

Some circumstances need special consideration before taking Somac tablets. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following:

• Significant unintentional weight loss;
• Recurrent vomiting;
• Difficulty swallowing;
• Vomiting blood;
• Anaemia;
• Black 'tarry' stools;
• Suspected or confirmed gastric ulcer;
• Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency or risk of deficiency.

Use in children

The use of Somac tablets in children under five years of age has not been studied. Do not give Somac tablets to a child under five years of age.

Use in pregnancy

Somac tablets are a Pregnancy Category B3 medication. The safety of use during pregnancy has not been established. Somac tablets should not be used if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Use while breastfeeding

Somac tablets should not be used if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

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