What is Rabeprazole?

Rabeprazole is available under Aciphex’s brand name; it belongs to the class of medication known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which decrease the amount of acid produced by the stomach. Doctors prescribe Rabeprazole to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenal ulcers, H. Pylori infection, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and other conditions as determined by them. It works by blocking certain parietal cells in the stomach. It is mostly available in the oral form. One can avail of this medication only with a proper prescription from a doctor.

Important Information

• Rabeprazole may affect your kidney; tell your doctor if you experience any problems with urination.
• This medicine may affect a few medical tests; tell your doctor that you are on this medication.
• Taking Rabeprazole for more than three years can develop vitamin B12 deficiency in your body. Talk to your doctor regarding this.
• Long-term use of this medication may lead to fundic gland polyps; talk to your doctor regarding this health condition’s risk.

What to know before taking Rabeprazole?

You should avoid taking this medication if you are allergic to it or any of its components or if you have:

• Taken medicines containing rilpivirine such as durant, complete, etc
• Allergy with similar kinds of medication such as Nexium, pantoprazole, etc

To ensure that Rabeprazole is safe for you, you should tell your doctor if you have or ever had the following medical issues:

• Liver disease
• Osteoporosis (low bone mineral density)
• Lupus (an autoimmune disorder)
• Low magnesium level in the blood

Lactating mothers should not use this medication; it may harm the child. Women should consult their doctor before taking Rabeprazole.

How to take Rabeprazole?

Take Rabeprazole precisely as prescribed by the doctor. You must follow all the directions and instructions given on the prescription label and medication guide. Please don’t take it more often than recommended and try to be consistent throughout the treatment. Consult your doctor if you are not feeling any improvement in your condition. Your doctor will adjust your dose according to your health condition.

Keep Rabeprazole tablets or capsules out of the children’s reach and store it at room temperature away from heat and moisture. After completion of treatment, ask your pharmacist regarding the disposal of leftover medication.

Rabeprazole dosage

The dosage of Rabeprazole prescribed by the doctor is dependent on several factors, such as :

• The age and weight of the patient
• Symptoms
• The seriousness of the condition
• Other medical issues that the patient is having
• Other medications that the patient is using
• How the patient reacted to the first dose of the medication

The doctor may prescribe the dosage of Rabeprazole according to the different medical conditions of the patient.

Dosage for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

In the form of delayed-release capsules

For children (aged between 1 to 11 years and weight more than 15 kg)

10 mg of Rabeprazole delayed-release capsules, once a day.

For children (aged between 1 to 11 years and weight less than 15 kg)

5 mg of Rabeprazole delayed-release capsules, once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if he thinks fits.

For children (below one year of age)

Doctors should not recommend Rabeprazole delayed-release capsules for children below one year.

Dosage for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

In the form of delayed-release tablets

For adults

20 mg of medicine, once a day for four weeks. Your doctor will adjust your dose according to your health condition.

For children (above 12 years of age)

20 mg of medicine, once a day for eight weeks. Your doctor will adjust your dose according to your health condition.

For children (below 12 years of age)

Doctors should not recommend Rabeprazole delayed-release capsules for children below 12 years.

Dosage for preventing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

In the form of delayed-release tablets

For adults

20 mg once a day. Your doctor may change your dose if he thinks it is appropriate.

For children

Your doctor will determine the dose for the child after a full medical check-up.

Dosage for duodenal ulcers

In the form of delayed-release tablets

For adults

20 mg of medicine, once a day, after breakfast. Your doctor may adjust your dose if he thinks fits.

For children

Your doctor will determine the dose for the child after a full medical check-up.

Dosage for duodenal ulcers with H. Pylori infection

In the form of delayed-release tablets

For adults

20 mg of Rabeprazole tablets, twice a day after taking a meal for a week. Your doctor may prescribe to take this medication with amoxicillin and clarithromycin.

For children

Your doctor will determine the dose for the child after a full medical check-up.

Dosage for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

In the form of delayed-release tablets

For adults

60 mg, once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if he thinks it is appropriate.

For children

Your doctor will determine the dose for the child after a full medical check-up.

Overdose

There are no specific Rabeprazole overdose symptoms, but if you ever feel uneasy while taking this medication, you can consult your doctor and seek a medical assistant. You can also call the poison helpline number at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid while using Rabeprazole?

Taking Rabeprazole may cause diarrhea; consult your doctor before taking any medication to treat diarrhea.

Rabeprazole side effects

Some of the common side effects of using Rabeprazole are as follows:

• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Pain in stomach

It is obvious to experience mild side effect symptoms, but if these symptoms bother you so much and are unbearable, you should consult your doctor and ask for medical help. You can stop taking medication and tell your doctor if you face the following problems while taking Rabeprazole:

• Severe pain in the stomach
• Diarrhea (bloody or watery)
• Sudden pain or trouble moving wrist, back, or hips
• Seizures
• Problems in the kidney
• New and worsening symptoms of lupus
• Low magnesium levels in the body
• Signs of bleeding (if you are on warfarin medication)

You should also report to your doctor from time to time if you experience any new symptoms or your symptoms are getting even worse.

What drugs can interact with Rabeprazole?

If your doctor is treating you with Rabeprazole, he must know all the possible interactions with other medications. It is your responsibility to tell the doctor about all the over-the-counter medicines you have taken or have taken in the past few days.

Some of the following medications which can interact with Rabeprazole are:

• Digoxin
• Methotrexate
• Warfarin
• Medicines containing rilpivirine
• Herbal products
• Vitamins and other nutritional supplements