If you’re looking at treatment options for conditions related to acid reflux, or stomach or intestinal ulcers, you may want to learn more about pantoprazole (Protonix, Protonix IV).
Pantoprazole is a generic prescription drug that’s used to treat acid reflux, or stomach or intestinal ulcers in adults and some children. Specifically, it’s used:
- short term (up to 8 weeks) to treat erosive esophagitis in adults and certain children
- as maintenance (ongoing) treatment for erosive esophagitis and prevention of heartburn in adults
- long term to decrease the amount of stomach acid in adults with certain conditions
Pantoprazole belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. It works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces.
Pantoprazole comes as a tablet or suspension (a type of liquid mixture) that are both taken by mouth. It’s also available as a powder that’s mixed into a solution and given as an injection into a vein. (If you use this form, you’ll receive doses of pantoprazole in a healthcare setting.)
Keep reading for details on pantoprazole and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.
Note: For more details on pantoprazole, see this in-depth article.
The price you pay for pantoprazole can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.
To find out how much you’ll pay for pantoprazole, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about pantoprazole and cost.
Does the cost of pantoprazole depend on the strength (20 mg or 40 mg) I use?
Yes, it’s possible that the cost of pantoprazole may depend on whether you take the 20-milligram (mg) or 40-mg strength.
The cost of pantoprazole may also depend on the form of the drug you use. Pantoprazole comes as a tablet or suspension (a type of liquid mixture) that are both taken by mouth. It’s also available as a powder that’s mixed into a solution and given as an injection into a vein.
The chart below shows the available forms and strengths of pantoprazole:
| Form | Strength | Brand-name version |
| Tablet taken by mouth | 20 mg, 40 mg | Protonix |
| Suspension taken by mouth | 40 mg per packet | Protonix |
| Powder mixed into a solution and given by injection | 40 mg | Protonix IV |
If you have questions about how much pantoprazole will cost you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you a price estimate for the specific strength and form of pantoprazole that you’ve been prescribed.
How do the costs for pantoprazole and omeprazole compare?
What you pay for pantoprazole or omeprazole may depend on if you have insurance and if your insurance covers either or both drugs.
Pantoprazole and omeprazole belong to the same group of drugs, called proton pump inhibitors. They can be used to treat some of the same conditions. Because these medications are very similar, some insurance providers may prefer one medication over the other. So one may be a cheaper option for you, depending on your insurance.
To find out if either drug is preferred by your insurance provider or if one may be less expensive, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company. They can help you determine how the prices of these medications compare in your specific situation.
How much does pantoprazole cost without insurance?
The cost of pantoprazole without insurance may depend on the form and strength of pantoprazole that you take. It may also depend on the pharmacy you use. To learn more about the cost of the specific form and strength of pantoprazole that you’ve been prescribed, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you’re concerned about paying for pantoprazole, the “Can I get help paying for pantoprazole?” section below includes some resources that may help.
Pantoprazole is available in two brand-name versions: Protonix and Protonix IV. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
To find out how the costs of pantoprazole and the brand-name versions compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If your doctor has prescribed pantoprazole and you’re interested in using Protonix or Protonix IV instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.
If you take pantoprazole long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:
- Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of pantoprazole if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of pantoprazole. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for pantoprazole. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need help covering the cost of pantoprazole or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:
On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.
If you have questions about how you can pay for pantoprazole, you may also want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you still have questions about the cost of pantoprazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for pantoprazole.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- If I can’t afford pantoprazole, what are my other options for treatment?
- Is one form of pantoprazole less expensive than another?
- Because the generic form usually costs less, can I try that instead of the brand name drug?
- Are there any lower-cost options that could treat my condition?
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.