what is protonix given for
6 Reviews. Pantoprazole is a prescription drug used as a short-term treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It's part of a class of medications known as proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and is marketed under the brand name Protonix. GERD is a condition in which the backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and sometimes injury of the esophagus.