the Pantoprazole is being prescribed to help with acid production. You should be taking it 30 minutes before breakfast. However, if you suffer from GERD (reflux disease) you must also follow the other advice, i.e. eat smaller amounts, do not eat at least 2 hours before going to bed, elevate head of bed. Take note of foods that seem to trigger it. You can use maalox or mylanta as needed but avoid taking at same time as medication. TUMS has calcium carbonate and taking too many can cause a rebound effect. pepto bismol has salicylate in it (similar to aspirin) so not good for you...alka seltzer also has aspirin in it. best advice given here was to talk to the pharmacist where you get these filled as was pointed out. Even though they are often overworked, I know I always appreciated giving advice to people who really wanted it--made me feel like I was actually helping instead of just being a robot filling prescriptions. If you get them thru a mailout pharmacy, they should also have a phone number to call for counseling.
|