I have been diagnosed gerd & i get heartburns almost once a week. i usually take a pantoprezole tablet then - is it safe to take it so often?

Talk to doc but: First you need to take the Pantoprazole 30-60 mins before your first meal of the day. There is also concern that chronic use of this type of drug increases the risk in getting pneumonia and possibly traveler's diarrhea. If taken only when heartburn starts, then a Histamine 2 reverse agonist (Pepcid, Zantac) may be more appropriate.

This medication is often taken once a day, and patients who use this medication regularly (every day) tend to get the most benefit from it. An important note to improve the medication’s effectiveness: it works best when it’s taken 30 minutes before a meal.