Rabeprazole sodium (Aciphex) belongs to a group of medicine known as proton pump inhibitors it acts by reducing the amount of acid that the stomach produces; hence it is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer and duodenal ulcers.
Aciphex is the brand name for Rabeprazole, and it is available as Tablets, Capsules and Sprinkle.
| Generic name | Rabeprazole |
| Brand name | Aciphex, Aciphex Sprinkle |
| Drug class | Proton pump inhibitors |
| Drug group | Antiulcer |
| Black Box Warnings | None |
Rabeprazole is used in the treatment or management of:
- Heartburn, which is clinically known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Severe Erosive esophagitis
- Hypersecretory conditions (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
- Gastric ulcer
- Duodenal ulcer
- NSAIDs associated peptic ulcer
- Helicobacter pylori GI infection (in combination with amoxicillin and clarithromycin).
Off-Label uses of Rabeprazole:
- Indigestion
- Gastric ulcer disease
- Prevention of relapse of duodenal ulcers
Rabeprazole sodium is available as:
Delayed-release Oral Tablets: 20mg.
Capsule: 5 mg, 10mg.
Sprinkle: 5mg, 10mg.
Rabeprazole dosage in detail.Oral Rabeprazole tablets are taken once daily without regarding meals, but the best time to take them is after breakfast. Don’t crush, break, divide or dissolve the tablets which are intended to be taken as a whole.
Aciphex Sprinkle:
Taken 30 minutes before the meal.
Can be taken with an antacid.
Open the capsule and sprinkle it on soft food, this takes within 15 minutes to be prepared.
Do not chew or crush the tablets.
What should I do if I missed a dose? And when can I stop taking the drug?
If you forget a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember; then you can return to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take an extra dose! You can stop taking the drug as soon as you no longer need it.
Storage
Keep the medicine at room temperature out of the reach of children.
Before taking Aciphex, tell your doctor if:
- You are allergic to rabeprazole or any other proton pump inhibitor.
- You have a history of liver problems.
- You are using other drugs and medications.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Rabeprazole is not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, because its safety has not been established.
Precautions
Patients with diarrhea, gastric cancer, hepatic or gastrointestinal disease, irritable bowel syndrome IBS, osteoporosis colitis, ulcerative colitis and vitamin B12 deficiency.
Usually, the common side effects of Rabeprazole are mild.
Common Aciphex side effects include:
- Pain
- Cough
- Asthenia (abnormal lack of energy or physical weakness)
- High risk of infection
- Angioedema
Uncommon side effects of Aciphex include:
- Dyspepsia
- Leg crumps
- Nervousness
- Burping (expelling excess air from your upper digestive tract)
Rare side effects include:
- Decreased appetite
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Neutropenia
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
Several drugs and substances can interact with Rabeprazole resulting in undesired effects, such interactions may affect the effectiveness of the drug.
Interactions with Drugs
Rabeprazole can form drug-drug interactions with the following drugs:
| Drug entity | Nature of interaction |
| Itraconazole & ketoconazole | Rabeprazole reduces the effects of these drugs. |
| Digoxin | Rabeprazole may increase the effects of digoxin. |
| Clopidogrel | The antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel is reduced by Rabeprazole. |
| Warfarin | Rabeprazole increases the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. |
| Atazanavir | Rabeprazole can reduce the blood levels of atazanavir, and the two drugs should not be used concomitantly. |
| Sucralfate, calcium carbonate and vitamin B12 | These may decrease Rabeprazole levels. |
| Clarithromycin | May increase the effects of Rabeprazole. |
Interactions with Herbal medicines:
St. John’s wort can decrease the concentration of Rabeprazole.
1. Kizior, R.J. and Hodgson, B.B. (2018). Saunders nursing drug handbook 2019. Philadelphia: Saunders.
2. British Medical Association (2015). British Medical Association new guide to medicine & drugs. London: Dorling Kindersley.
3. Joint formulary committee, BNF 80 (The British National Formulary), 80th Revised edition, Pharmaceutical Press, London, United Kingdom, [2020]
4. Williams and Wolters Kluwer Health (2012). Nursing 2012 drug handbook. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
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