What is Rabeprazole?
Rabeprazole, sold under the brand name Aciphex, is a drug that reduces stomach acid. It is used to treat peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and excess stomach acid production, such as Zollinger–Ellison syndrome.
What are the Uses of Rabeprazole?
Rabeprazole is used to treat certain problems with the stomach and esophagus (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It gives relief to the symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, heartburn, and persistent coughing. This medicine helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and can help prevent esophageal cancer. Rabeprazole is a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
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Get A Second OpinionHow to use Rabeprazole Sodium?
- Read the Medicational instruction and all kinds of the Patient Information Leaflet, if it is available from your pharmacist before you start taking rabeprazole and every time you start taking rabeprazole.
- If you are using a tablet, take your dose by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 1 to 2 times daily. Swallow the tablet with water. Do not crush, chew or break the tablet. Doing this can release all drugs at a time, increasing the risk of side effects.
- If you are taking the capsules, take the dosage 30 minutes before the meal as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. Do not swallow the entire capsule. Open the capsule and sprinkle the contents with a small amount of soft food (such as applesauce or yogurt) or liquid. The food or liquid you use should be at or below room temperature. Swallow the mixture within 15 minutes of preparation.
- The dosage and treatment duration is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dose is also based on weight.
- Antacids may be taken along with this medicine if necessary. If you are also taking sucralfate, take rabeprazole at least 30 minutes before taking sucralfate.
- Use this medicine on a regular basis to get the most of it. Take it at the same time every day. Continue to take this medicine for the prescribed duration of treatment, even if you feel better.
- Inform your doctor if your condition persists or starts getting worse. The risk of side effects increases over time. Ask your doctor how long you have to take this medicine.
What are the Side Effects of Rabeprazole?
Some of the common side effects of Rabeprazole are:
- Headache
- Pain in the abdomen
- Sore throat
- Gas
- Infection
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Low levels of magnesium
- Dizziness
- Irregular or fast heartbeat
- Jitteriness
- Tremors
- Jerking movements or shaking
- Muscle weakness
- Spasms of the hands and feet
- Cramps or muscle aches
- Spasm of the voice box
- Trouble breathing
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Hoarse voice
- Throat tightness
- Severe diarrhea
- Watery stool
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- The cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE)
- Rash on the skin and nose
- Raised, red, scaly, red, or purple rashes
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Weight loss
- Blood clots
- Heartburn
What are the Precautions of Rabeprazole?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to rabeprazole; or similar drugs (such as lansoprazole, omeprazole); or if you have any other allergies before taking rabeprazole. This product may contain inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions or other problems.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history before using this medicine, in particular: liver disease, lupus.
- In fact, some symptoms may be signs of a more serious condition. Get medical help right away if you have: heartburn with lightheadedness/sweating/dizziness chest, jaw, arm, shoulder pain (especially shortness of breath, unusual sweating), weight loss.
- Tell your doctor about all the products you use before you have surgery (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
- Proton pump inhibitors (such as rabeprazole) may increase the risk of bone fractures, especially with prolonged use, higher doses, and in older adults. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to prevent bone loss/fracture, such as taking calcium (such as calcium citrate) and vitamin D supplements.
- Elderly people might be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially bone loss and fracture and Clostridium difficile infection.
- This medicine should only be used during pregnancy when clearly needed. Talk to your doctor about the advantages and risk factors.
- It is not known if this medication passes into the breast milk or not. Similar drugs, however, go into breast milk. The effects on a nursing infant are also not known. Before breastfeeding, consult your doctor.
- Severe diarrhea warning- Rabeprazole increases your risk of severe diarrhea. This diarrhea is caused by bacterial infection of the intestines (Clostridium difficile). Talk to your doctor if you have watery stools, stomach pain, or a fever that doesn't go away.
- Bone fracture warning- If you take multiple doses of rabeprazole daily for a long period of time (1 year or longer), your risk of hip, wrist, or spine fractures is increased. This drug should be used at the lowest possible dose. It should also be used for the shortest period of time needed.
- Low magnesium levels- Rabeprazole can cause low levels of a mineral called magnesium in your body. Usually, this happens after 1 year of treatment. However, it may occur after you have been taking rabeprazole for 3 months or longer. Low magnesium levels may not cause symptoms, but serious side effects may occur. These may include muscle spasms, abnormal heart rhythms, or seizures.
Notes
Do not share this medicine with others. If you have been instructed by your doctor to use this medicine regularly for a long time, laboratory and medical tests (such as magnesium blood tests, vitamin B-12 levels) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments on a regular basis.
What if I miss a dose of Rabeprazole?
If you miss any dosage, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is near the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose on a regular basis. Don't double your dosage to catch up.
How to Respond to an Overdose?
Never take more doses. If you have taken more than the prescribed amount, contact the doctor immediately.
How to Store Medicines Safely?
Store away from direct sunlight and moisture at room temperature. Don't store it in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from children.
Rabeprazole vs Pantoprazole
| Rabeprazole | Pantoprazole |
|---|---|
| Formula: C18H21N3O3S | Formula: C16H15F2N3O4S |
| Brand name Aciphex | Brand name Protonix |
| It is a medication that works to decrease stomach acid | Pantoprazole is used for treating certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux) |
| Elimination - 1 hour | Elimination - 1 to 2 hours |
Citations
Rabeprazole Pharmacodynamic effects and kinetic disposition of rabeprazole in relation to CYP2C19 genotypesReady to take control of your health journey? Book your appointment now and start your path towards wellness today!
Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
It is used for acid reflux, heartburn, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). GORD is when you keep getting acid reflux. Rabeprazole is also used to prevent and treat stomach ulcers. Rabeprazole is sometimes used for a rare disease caused by a tumor in the pancreas or intestine called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Rabeprazole side effects are:
- Headache
- Pain in the abdomen (stomach area)
- Sore throat
- Gas
- Infection
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Rabeprazole is for short-term use only, usually for 4 to 8 weeks. If you need extra time for healing, your doctor may recommend a second course of treatment.
Long-term use of rabeprazole may cause you to develop stomach growths called fundic gland polyps. Talk to your doctor about this risk. If you have been using rabeprazole for more than 3 years, you may develop vitamin B-12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor about how you can manage this condition if you develop it.
Check with your doctor right away if you have a change in the frequency of urine or urine, blood in your urine, fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, skin rash, swelling.
Rabeprazole tablets are specially coated so you should swallow them whole. Rabeprazole may be taken either before or after a meal, although it is preferable to take it before a meal. If you forget to take a dose at your usual time, you can usually take it when you remember.
In the present study, a meta-analysis revealed that rabeprazole 20 mg was more effective than omeprazole 20 mg in studies of up to 8 weeks of treatment to relieve the GERD symptom of heartburn. The results of this study favor rabeprazole 20 mg over omeprazole 20 mg in the relief of GERD-related heartburn.
The drug is effective in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other acid-related diseases. Long-term use of rabeprazole has been confirmed to be safe in studies of two to five-year maintenance therapy for GERD.
A low rate of transient and asymptomatic serum aminotransferase elevations is associated with rabeprazole therapy and is an uncommon source of clinically evident liver damage.
Allergic reactions – signs may include: sudden swelling of the face, difficulty breathing, or low blood pressure, which may cause fainting or collapse.
