From the FDA Drug Label
Table 1: Recommended Dosing Schedule for Pantoprazole Sodium Delayed-Release Tablets Indication Dose Frequency Children (5 years and older) ≥ 15 kg to < 40 kg 20 mg Once daily for up to 8 weeks
The recommended dose of pantoprazole for an 8-year-old pediatric patient weighing 15 kg is 20 mg once daily for up to 8 weeks 1.
From the Research
For an 8-year-old pediatric patient weighing 15 kg, the recommended dose of pantoprazole is approximately 0.5-1 mg/kg/day, which would be 7.5-15 mg once daily, based on the most recent and highest quality study available 2.
Key Considerations
- The typical starting dose would be 10 mg once daily, taken in the morning before breakfast.
- Pantoprazole should be swallowed whole with water and not crushed or chewed, though pediatric formulations may be available.
- Treatment duration typically ranges from 4-8 weeks for conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), though this may vary based on the specific condition being treated.
Mechanism and Safety
- Pantoprazole works by reducing stomach acid production by blocking the proton pump in gastric parietal cells.
- It's essential to note that long-term use should be monitored by a healthcare provider due to potential risks including vitamin B12 deficiency, magnesium deficiency, and increased risk of fractures, as indicated in various studies 3, 4, 5, 6.
Dosage Adjustments
- Dosage adjustments may be necessary based on the patient's response to treatment and the specific condition being addressed.
- The pharmacokinetics of pantoprazole in pediatric patients, as studied in 2, show that exposure increases with dose, and the drug is generally well-tolerated in infants and children aged 1 month through <6 years with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
Final Recommendation
Given the available evidence, the recommended dose of 0.5-1 mg/kg/day, with a typical starting dose of 10 mg once daily, is the most appropriate choice for an 8-year-old pediatric patient weighing 15 kg, considering both efficacy and safety profiles 2.