Pantoprazole Long-Term Use: Benefits, Risks & Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Pantoprazole is a prescription medication characterized as a proton pump inhibitor. This means pantoprazole decreases the amount of stomach acid produced. It is used typically to treat conditions such as erosive esophagitis--an excess of stomach acid that has irritated the esophagus.

Long-Term Side Effects

• Long-term use of pantoprazole might make it difficult for your body to absorb vitamin B12. In addition, the risk of hip fracture is increased in any patient taking long-term high doses of proton pump inhibitors. According to Drugs.com, researchers have found the following side-effects to occur in greater than 1 percent of patients taking pantoprazole in 10-, 20- and 40-mg doses for up to 12 months: headache, abnormal liver function tests, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Animal Studies

• Animal studies have shown a link between stomach cancer and pantoprazole use, although the cancer risks for humans is unknown.

Human Study

• The American Journal of Gastroenterology documented the findings of a long-term treatment program for patients with severe acid peptic disease who took pantoprazole. Study results conclude that "Pantoprazole is effective, safe, and does not seem to be associated with large increases in serum gastrin or alterations in gastric endocrine cells."