Rabeprazole

Rabeprazole is a prescription medication used to treat digestive problems such as heartburn and acid reflux.  Rabeprazole belongs to a group of drugs called proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). It works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Rabeprazole comes in a delayed release tablet and is usually taken once a day. Swallow rabeprazole tablets whole. Do not chew, crush or split rabeprazole tablets.

Rabeprazole also comes in a sprinkle delayed release capsule and is usually taken once a day.

Common side effects of rabeprazole include headache, sore throat, and constipation.

CYP2C19 is an enzyme in the blood that is responsible for breaking down rabeprazole and other drugs in the body. Some patients have less of this protein in their bodies, affecting how much of the drug gets eliminated. Levels of CYP2C19 can vary greatly between individuals, and those having less of this protein are known as "poor metabolizers." 

CYP2C19 testing is done to determine whether you are a poor metabolizer. If you are a poor metabolizer, the levels of rabeprazole in your blood can become too high. As a result you may be at an increased risk of having more side effects from rabeprazole. 

Your doctor may adjust your dose of rabeprazole if you are a poor metabolizer.

Rabeprazole is a prescription medicine used for the following conditions:

• heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• duodenal ulcers
• acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus
• H. pylori infections
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a condition in which the stomach makes too much acid)

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Rabeprazole may be found in some form under the following brand names:

• Aciphex

• Aciphex Sprinkle

Serious side effects have been reported with rabeprazole. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Common side effects with rabeprazole include the following

• headache
• pain
• sore throat
• gas
• infection
• constipation

People who are taking multiple daily doses of proton pump inhibitor medicines for a long period of time may have an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine.

This is not a comple list of rabeprazole side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you are taking or are planning to take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• atazanavir (Reyataz)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• warfarin (Coumadin)
• theophylline (THEO-24 Thelair)
• diazepam (Valium)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• antibiotics

Serious side effects have been reported with rabeprazole including the following:

• serious allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
• rash
• face swelling
• throat tightness
• difficulty breathing
• low blood magnesium. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms:
  • seizures
  • dizziness
  • abnormal or fast heart beat
  • jitteriness
  • jerking movements or shaking (tremors)
  • muscle weakness
  • spasms of the hands and feet
  • cramps or muscle aches
  • spasm of the voice box

Your doctor may check the level of magnesium in your body before you start taking rabeprazole, during treatment, or if you will be taking rabeprazole for a long period of time.

• Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) associated diarrhea. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience any or all of the following symptoms:
• watery diarrhea (at least three bowel movements per day for two or more days)
• loss of appetite
• abdominal pain or tenderness
• nausea
• fever

Do not take rabeprazole if you are:

• allergic to any of the ingredients in rabeprazole
• allergic to other proton pump inhibitors
• less than 12 years of age

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of rabeprazole there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before you taking rabeprazole, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• have any liver problems
• have any allergies
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. 

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Rabeprazole falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with rabeprazole. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if rabeprazole is excreted in human breast milk or if it can harm your nursing baby. Since many drugs can pass into breastmilk, and because of the possibility for serious reactions to infants from rabeprazole, a decision should be made to stop nursing or the drug. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

Take rabeprazole exactly as prescribed.

• Do not change your dose or stop taking rabeprazole unless you talk to your doctor. Take rabeprazole for as long as it is prescribed even if you feel better.
• Continue to take this medication for as long as it is prescribed, even if you feel better.
• Rabeprazole is usually taken once a day.
• Your doctor will tell you the time of day to take Rabeprazole.

Rabeprazole delayed release tablets:

• Rabeprazole can be taken with or without food. 
• Swallow each rabeprazole tablet whole with water.
• Do not chew, crush, or split rabeprazole tablets because this will damage the tablet and the medicine will not work. Tell your doctor if you cannot swallow tablets whole. You may need a different medicine.

Rabeprazole sprinkle delayed release capsules:

• Take the dose 30 minutes before a meal.
• Open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto a small amount of soft food such as applesauce, fruit ,or vegetable based baby food, or yogurt. You may also empty the capsule contents into a small amount of infant formula, apple juice, or a pediatric electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte. The food or liquid that you use should be at or below room temperature.
• Swallow the entire mixture. Do not chew or crush the granules.
• Take the entire dose within 15 minutes. If you cannot take the dose within 15 minutes of preparing it, throw it away and prepare a new dose. Do not save it for use later.

If you miss a dose of rabeprazole, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Take rabeprazole exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Your doctor will determine the right dose for you based on your medical condition.

Adults:

• The recommended dose for Aciphex (rabeprazole) is 20 mg once daily for 4 to 8 weeks for adults.

Children:

• The recommended dose of Aciphex (rabeprazole) in ages 1 to 11 who weigh more than 15 kg, is 10 mg daily for up to 12 weeks.  
• The recommended dose of Aciphex (rabeprazole) in children ages 1 to 11 years weighing less than 15 kg, is 5 mg per day for up to 12 weeks. Your doctor will tell you how long to take Aciphex (rabeprazole).

If you take too much rabeprazole, call your doctor or local Poison Control Center right away, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Store rabeprazole in a dry place at room temperature, 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).

Keep rabeprazole and all medicines out of the reach of children.