Can Protonix Cause Light Colored Stool?

Posted on Fri, 22 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 22 Aug 2014 Answered on

Mon, 8 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Can Protonix cause light colored stool?

Answered by Dr. Surendiran Gaj (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, Protonix can cause light colored stools.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Yes, proton pump inhibitors like pantoprazole (protonix) can cause light colored stools in marked individuals, but it is not an alarming symptom. It might be due to any associated reduced bile secretion.

If you don’t have an abdominal discomfort and other annoying symptoms no need to worry.

Hope helped you,
Feel free to contact me again anytime for any clarifications or further assistance in future.
Take care.
Regards,
Dr.surendiran gaj.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Surendiran Gaj (23 minutes later)

The only discomfort I have infrequently is a slight pain (rated on scale of 1 to 10) about 1 in the upper right abdomen, more like a twinge every now and then. To be truthful, I read about Pancreatic cancer causing light colored stools and am scared. My bowel movement frequency has not changed but the color of the stool is a light brown, sort of blond.

Answered by Dr. Surendiran Gaj (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
MRCP

Detailed Answer:
Hello there,
Thanks for follow up,
I have gone through your query.

The right upper quadrant pain on abdominal region along with pale coloured stools have increased chance of having hepato (liver) biliary system obstruction.

The pancreatic carcinomas are usually associated with intolerable pain radiating to back.

So in order to find the cause, I advise you to do an MRCP (Magnetic resonance cholangio pancreatography) an non invasive procedure to study the bile ducts and pancreas more accurately.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj