January 2, 2010
Relief Is A Swallow Away: Protonix Medication
The good news in regards to having heartburn or GERD is that there are many options in regards to managing or treating this medical condition. One of the common ways for a doctor to treat heartburn is through prescription medication. One of those prescription medications is Protonix.
Therefore, if considering the use of medication and specifically Protonix it is important to know specifically what medical conditions this medication treats, how this medication works and what are the possible side-effects of taking this medication.
How Protonix Medication Performs
The prescription Protonix medication is a proton pump inhibitor. This means that its specific action is to shut down or inhibit the proton pump process found within the mucus lining of the patient’s stomach.
The timing of this action is accomplished by the Protonix medication during the final phase of the stomach’s secretion of acid. Generally, the Protonix medication is effective following one hour of ingestion and can effectively perform for up to 24 hours.
Also, the usual strength of the prescribed medication is a dosage of 40 mg. Usually the patient is instructed to take one tablet daily to counter the high acidity found within the stomach. In addition, this medication is usually taken in the morning. This daily dosage allows Protonix to effectively treat the hyperacidity of an individual throughout the day.
What Does Protonix Treat?
This medical action makes Protonix medication an extremely effective medication when it comes to treating hyperacidity. Specifically, Protonix medication is prescribed for patients who have erosive esophagitis or GERD. GERD is an acronym that stands for gastroesophageal disease. Subsequently, upon the successful performance of this medication in reducing the excretion of acid, there is less acid in the stomach.
In addition, because there is less excretion of acid in the stomach there is a less likelihood of the acid being refluxed up into the esophagus. Therefore, the body has an opportunity to heal the esophagus because the cause of the burning, acid from the stomach, has been reduced or minimized.
Side Effects Of This GERD Medication
As with all medications there may be an associated side effect for the patient who takes this prescribed medicine. Some of those side effects may include the individual experiencing headache, and diarrhea.
In addition it is important to notify the attending physician at once if any other symptoms associated that the patient may feel are a direct consequence in the taking of this medication.