The Medical Advisor

I have had acid reflux for many years. About six months ago, a doctor looked down my esophagus and into my stomach (a test he called an upper endoscopy) because the symptoms were getting worse. My esophagus was inflamed, and I was told to take pantoprazole indefinitely. But now I rarely have heartburn. Do I really need to stay on this medication forever? (Dreamstime/TNS) Answer: Pantoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Drugs in this class are the most potent stomach acid inhibitors. Other proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, dexlansoprazole, and rabeprazole. There is no simple yes or no answer to your question, but here is how I approach this very common situation. My recommendation depends on some details about your reflux symptoms that I don’t have. Was the heartburn present for a long time before you had the endoscopy? Did you start the pantoprazole many weeks before the endoscopy last year? The reason for these questions is to get a better pi...

Medically Reviewed by: Dr Frank Yap, MD | Written and Compiled by:     OneDayMD Editorial Team | Last Updated:  October  2026 Dr. William Makis MD (McGill Medicine, 110+ peer-reviewed publications) has treated a large volume of cancer patients using repurposed drugs since 2023 and has documented outcomes publicly on Substack and X. This continuously updated 2026 guide compiles Dr. Makis's latest protocols (from his Substack, X posts through 2026, and direct patient correspondence). We cross-reference his exact dosages, schedules, combinations, safety data, sourcing, and real patient outcomes (anonymized but verifiable on his channels). Important Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Ivermectin is used off-label for cancer treatment. Always consult with a knowledgeable physician whom you trust to manage your health. Individual results may vary. Do not self-medicate with ivermectin without proper bloodwork ...