Common uses

Rabeprazole is used for treating ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, erosive or ulcerative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (in which there is overproduction of acid caused by tumors). It also is used with antibiotics for eradicating Helicobacter pylori infections of the stomach that, along with acid, are responsible for many ulcers.

Before using

Before taking rabeprazole,
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to rabeprazole, lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), and ketoconazole (Nizoral). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking rabeprazole, call your doctor.

Directions

Take Aciphex exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Aciphex is usually given for 4 to 8 weeks only. Your doctor may recommend a second course of treatment if you need additional healing time.
When treating H. pylori infection, Aciphex may be needed for only 7 days. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
Aciphex may be taken with or without food.
Do not crush, break, or chew a Aciphex tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or crushing the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Take Aciphex for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed. Store Aciphex at room temperature away from moisture and heat.


Cautions

You should not use Aciphex if you are allergic to rabeprazole or to similar medicines such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), or pantoprazole (Protonix).
Some conditions are treated with a combination of Aciphex and antibiotics. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.
Take Aciphex for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed.

Possible side effects

This medication is generally well tolerated. Although uncommon, headache may occur. If this effect persists or worsens, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: signs of vitamin B-12 deficiency with long-term (over 3 years) treatment (e.g., unusual weakness, sore tongue, numbness or tingling of the hands/feet).
A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take too much

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a Aciphex overdose are not known.

Additional information

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Aciphex.
PREGNANCY: Use in pregnant women has not been adequately evaluated.
NURSING MOTHERS: Rabeprazole has not been studied in nursing women.

Drug interactions

There have been reports of an increase in the effect of the blood thinner, warfarin, by rabeprazole which theoretically could lead to increased bleeding. Patients taking warfarin should be monitored more frequently if the begin taking rabeprazole.
Rabeprazole may reduce the elimination of cyclosporin in the liver, thereby increasing cyclosporin levels in the blood and potentially lead to cyclosporin toxicity.
The absorption of certain drugs may be affected by changes in stomach acidity. Rabeprazole and other PPIs that reduce stomach acid reduce the absorption and concentration in blood of ketoconazole (Nizoral) and increase the absorption and concentration in blood of digoxin (Lanoxin). This may lead to reduced effectiveness of ketoconazole or increased digoxin toxicity, respectively.