It is an acid-reducing medicine in tablet form. It is scheduled as S2 in South Africa and is supplied without a doctor’s prescription for short-term, temporary relief of heartburn and hyperacidity. Treatment is limited to one 20 mg tablet once daily for a maximum of 14 days. If your symptoms persist or get worse, you must speak to a health care professional.
What it is and what it is used for
Active ingredient and class
- Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). PPIs reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
Indications/uses
- Temporary short-term relief of heartburn and hyperacidity.
- The maximum daily dose is 20 mg, and the maximum treatment period is 14 days.
How it works
Pantoprazole acts on acid-producing cells in the stomach and turns down the “acid pump”, lowering the amount of acid released. Less acid can help ease burning and discomfort related to heartburn and hyperacidity.
Who should NOT use this medicine
Do not take PEPLOC OTC if any of the following apply:
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to pantoprazole or any ingredient in the tablet.
- You have impaired liver function or liver disease.
- You are taking atazanavir (used in the treatment of HIV).
- It is for a child (safety and efficacy in children have not been established).
Stop and speak to a health care professional first if you are unsure about any of the above.
Warnings and precautions (Read before use)
Before using PEPLOC OTC, speak to your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following apply to you:
- Kidney problems: use with care if you have impaired kidney function.
- Blood-thinning treatment: if you take warfarin (a medicine that reduces blood clotting), your health care provider may need to monitor clotting.
- Liver disease: discuss with your health care provider.
- Low magnesium (hypomagnesaemia): caution if you currently have, or are at risk of, low magnesium.
- Stomach malignancy (cancer/tumour): additional caution if you are being treated for, or have a history of, malignancies in the stomach area.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency: tell your health care provider if you have a history of B12 deficiency.
- Persistent diarrhoea: if you develop diarrhoea that does not improve, contact your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible.
- Bone health and age: if you are over 50 years of age or take PEPLOC for a long period or in high doses, it may cause low magnesium and increase the risk of bone fractures in the hip, wrist or spine.
- Fracture history due to low magnesium: take special care if you have had a hip, wrist or spine fracture associated with low magnesium.
- Urinary changes: if you notice a decrease in urination or blood in your urine, seek medical advice.
Driving and using machines
- PEPLOC OTC may cause blurred vision or dizziness. Do not drive or use machinery until you know how it affects you.
Important ingredients
- Sodium: If you are on a sodium-controlled diet, your clinician will take this into account.
- Mannitol: PEPLOC OTC contains mannitol and may have a laxative effect.
Pregnancy, planning pregnancy, and breastfeeding
- Not specified in the source. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before use.
- The safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established in the source. Do not take PEPLOC OTC if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless advised by a health care professional.
Interactions
Always tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, including complementary or traditional medicines. The following medicines may be affected by, or may affect, PEPLOC OTC:
- Warfarin (blood thinner): pantoprazole may alter the effect; your provider may monitor how well your blood clots.
- Ketoconazole (for fungal infections): PEPLOC OTC may reduce absorption.
- Atazanavir (anti-HIV): PEPLOC OTC may reduce blood levels; do not use together.
- High-dose methotrexate (for certain cancers): PEPLOC OTC may increase methotrexate levels and lead to toxicity.
- Fluvoxamine (for depression/other psychiatric conditions): your doctor may reduce the dose if used together.
- St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) for mild depression: listed as an interacting product in the source.
Food and timing
- Take the tablet before a meal, preferably in the morning.
Antacids
- It may take several days before PEPLOC OTC relieves symptoms. Antacids may be taken with PEPLOC OTC tablets to help with symptoms, unless your doctor has told you not to use them.
How to take (Step-by-step)
- Check suitability: Ensure none of the Do not use conditions apply to you.
- Dose: Take one 20 mg tablet once daily.
- When to take: Before a meal, preferably in the morning.
- How to take: Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not crush, break, or chew.
- Duration: Use for a maximum of 14 days only. If symptoms persist or worsen, see a doctor.
- Antacids: You may use an antacid alongside PEPLOC OTC unless advised otherwise.
- Missed dose:
- Take it as soon as you remember.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time.
- Do not take a double or larger dose to make up for a missed dose.
- Overdose:
- If you take more than you should, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
- If they are not available, contact the nearest hospital or poison control centre.
- Take the leaflet and any remaining tablets with you so the clinician knows what you took.
Note: Do not share your medicine with others.
Dosing table
| Age group | Dose | Frequency | Maximum daily dose | Maximum treatment period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | 20 mg | Once daily | 20 mg | 14 days |
| Children | Not recommended | — | — | Safety and efficacy not established |
Possible side effects
PEPLOC OTC can have side effects. Not all side effects are listed here. If your general health worsens, or you have any unusual symptoms, speak to your doctor.
Serious—seek urgent help
Stop taking PEPLOC OTC and seek medical attention immediately if you experience:
- Allergic reaction: swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth or throat (which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing), rash or itching.
- Severe stomach pain.
- Kidney inflammation: fever, rash, and enlarged kidneys sometimes with painful urination and lower back pain; this may lead to kidney failure.
- Severe skin reactions: blistering, loosening, peeling, or redness of the skin, including Stevens–Johnson syndrome (may start with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful red or purplish rash that spreads and blisters).
- Liver problems: yellow skin/eyes (jaundice), black tarry stools.
- Blurred vision.
Common
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Abdominal pain, flatulence
- Headache
Less common
- Low white blood cell count
- High concentration of fatty products in the blood, increased body temperature
- Trouble sleeping, depression, disorientation
- Dizziness, distorted taste or loss of taste
- Nausea/vomiting, dry mouth, bloating, stomach pain/discomfort
- Skin problems (other skin conditions)
- Joint or muscle pain; fracture of hip, wrist, or spine
- Breast enlargement in men
- Weakness, fatigue, malaise, swelling of hands and feet
- Muscle rigidity or stiffness
- Acute interstitial nephritis (a type of kidney problem): may occur at any time during treatment. Call your doctor right away if you notice a decrease in urination or blood in your urine.
Other
- Inflammation of the large bowel causing persistent watery diarrhoea
- Low levels of salt, magnesium, or calcium in the blood
- Hallucinations, feeling confused
- Tingling, prickling, “pins and needles”, burning, or numbness
What to do: For mild symptoms, speak to your pharmacist or doctor for advice. For symptoms listed under Serious—seek urgent help, stop the medicine and get medical help immediately.
Storage and disposal
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Store at or below 25 °C.
- Protect from moisture. Keep blisters in the carton until required.
- Do not use after the expiry date printed on the label or blister.
- Return any unused medicine to your pharmacist.
- Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems (e.g., toilets).
What the medicine contains
Active ingredient
- Pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate, equivalent to 20 mg pantoprazole per tablet.
Important excipients (core and coating)
- Tablet core: carmellose sodium, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, mannitol (~70.50 mg per tablet), sodium carbonate anhydrous, sodium starch glycolate type A.
- Tablet coating: hypromellose, methacrylic acid–ethyl acrylate copolymer, propylene glycol, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate, yellow iron oxide.
Notes from the source
- Contains sodium.
- Contains mannitol (sugar alcohol) and may have a laxative effect.
Pack information and appearance
- Appearance:orangish, biconvex, oval, gastro-resistant tablet
- Approximate dimensions: 4.7 mm × 9.0 mm
- Packs: supplied in aluminium–polyamide-PVC/aluminium blister strips; 7 or 14 tablets per carton.
- Scheduling status (South Africa): S2
- Holder of Certificate of Registration: Pharma Dynamics (Pty) Ltd
Practical FAQs
Q1. What is PEPLOC OTC used for?
It provides temporary short-term relief of heartburn and hyperacidity.
Q2. How long can I take it?
Use one 20 mg tablet once daily for up to 14 days. If symptoms worsen or do not improve after 14 days, see a doctor.
Q3. When should I take the tablet?
Take it before a meal, preferably in the morning.
Q4. Can I use an antacid as well?
Yes. Antacids may be taken with PEPLOC OTC tablets unless your doctor has told you not to use them.
Q5. Can children take PEPLOC OTC?
No. Safety and efficacy in children have not been established.
Q6. Can I use it if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety is not established in the source. Do not take PEPLOC OTC if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your health care professional advises otherwise.
Q7. Is it safe to drive after taking it?
PEPLOC OTC may cause blurred vision or dizziness. Do not drive or use machinery until you know how it affects you.
Q8. Does PEPLOC OTC interact with other medicines?
Yes. It can interact with warfarin, ketoconazole, atazanavir (do not use together), high-dose methotrexate, fluvoxamine, and St John’s wort (as listed in the source). Always inform your health care provider about all medicines you take.
Q9. What if I forget a dose?
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.
Q10. Does it contain any sugars or sodium?
The tablet contains sodium and mannitol (a sugar alcohol, about 70.50 mg per tablet). Mannitol may have a laxative effect.
Education:
NPU (National Pharmaceutical University) 2010-2015, 2015-2016 internship
Work experience:
2010 – 2012 Pharmacy 63 – Production Department
2012 – 2015 Pharmacy 63 – Pharmacist
2015 – 2016 Pharmacy 63 – Pharmacist
2016 – to date Pharmacy UA – Head of Pharmacy
