Aciphex

Generic Name: rabeprazole
Other Brand Names: rabeprazole
Overview Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose

What is rabeprazole?

Rabeprazole decreases the amount of acid produced in your stomach.

Rabeprazole is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or heartburn), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.

Rabeprazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rabeprazole?

Talk to your doctor before taking rabeprazole if you have liver disease. You may not be able to take rabeprazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have liver disease.

Rabeprazole is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not take rabeprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether rabeprazole passes into breast milk. Do not take rabeprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take rabeprazole?

Take rabeprazole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Do not break, chew, or split the tablets. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body.

Do not stop taking rabeprazole even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before your condition is fully treated.

Store rabeprazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of rabeprazole?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless your doctor directs otherwise.

Where can I get more information about rabeprazole?
Your pharmacist has information about rabeprazole written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of rabeprazole?

Serious side effects from rabeprazole are rare. Stop taking rabeprazole and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) to rabeprazole.

Less serious side effects from rabeprazole are also uncommon. Continue to take rabeprazole and talk to your doctor if you experience

  • headache;

  • upset stomach or diarrhea;

  • insomnia or nervousness; or

  • a rash or itching.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about rabeprazole?

Do not stop taking rabeprazole even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before your condition is fully treated.

Do not break, chew, or split the tablets. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body.

What should I avoid while taking rabeprazole?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking rabeprazole, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What other drugs will affect rabeprazole?

Before taking rabeprazole, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

  • ketoconazole (Nizoral),

  • ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen),

  • iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others),

  • digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), or

  • cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral).

You may not be able to take rabeprazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with rabeprazole. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

What happens if I have an overdose of rabeprazole?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a rabeprazole overdose are not known.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008