Rabeprazole (By mouth)

Introduction

Rabeprazole (ra-BEP-ra-zole)

Treats heartburn, stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and conditions that cause your stomach to make too much acid (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). It also helps heal the esophagus when the stomach makes too much acid and helps prevent bleeding in the stomach for patients with a serious illness. This medicine may be used in combination with antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and clarithromycin, to treat certain types of ulcers. This medicine is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Brand Name(s)

Aciphex

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using atazanavir (Reyataz®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®), or medicine to treat fungal infection (such as ketoconazole or Nizoral®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a diuretic or "water pill" (such as bumetanide, chlorothiazide, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], indapamide, metolazone, torsemide, Bumex®, Demadex®, Diuril®, Edecrin®, Lasix®, Lozol®, or Zaroxolyn®) or certain medicines to treat high blood pressure (such as atenolol, enalapril, lisinopril, losartan, metoprolol, olmesartan, valsartan, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Toprol®, or Zestril®).

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Delayed Release Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Swallow the delayed-release tablet whole. Do not chew, crush, or break it.
• You may take this medicine with or without food. For stomach ulcers, it is best to take this medicine after your morning meal.
• If you are taking this medicine to treat an ulcer that is associated with an H. pylori infection, take it together with the antibiotics (such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin) at the same time of day.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, bone problems (such as osteoporosis), or a history of low magnesium in the blood.
• This medicine is sometimes given together with other medicines to treat ulcers. Be sure you understand about the risks and proper use of any other medicine your doctor gives you together with rabeprazole. If you are using this medicine with clarithromycin, do not use it with cisapride (Propulsid®) or pimozide (Orap®).
• This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction when used in patients with conditions treated with antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you or your child are using this medicine.
• Serious stomach conditions may occur while taking this medicine with antibiotics. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if you or your child are having more than one of these symptoms: abdominal or stomach cramps, bloated feeling, watery and severe diarrhea which may also be bloody sometimes, fever, nausea or vomiting, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
• This medicine may increase your risk of having fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine. This is more likely if you are 50 years of age and older, if you receive high doses of this medicine or use it for one year or more.
• This medicine may cause hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood). Your doctor may want to check your blood levels if you are taking this medicine for more than one year, or if you are taking this medicine together with digoxin (Lanoxin®) or certain diuretics or "water pills". Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have convulsions (seizures); fast, racing, or uneven heartbeat; muscle spasms (tetany); tremors; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Black, tarry stools, or bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
• Change in how much or how often you urinate.
• Chest pain.
• Convulsions (seizures), muscle spasms (tetany), or tremors.
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Constipation, diarrhea, gas, nausea or vomiting, or stomach pain.
• Dry mouth.
• Headache or dizziness.
• Mild skin rash.
• Unusual taste in your mouth or tongue.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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