Rabeprazole

• Rabeprazole is used in the treatment of heartburn and chest pain due to stomach acid reflux disease in which acidic content from the stomach comes up to the food pipe and mouth.
• Treatment of ulcers of stomach, intestine and inflammation and erosion of food pipe due to stomach acid.
• Management of a condition of increased gastric acid production induced by a tumour of the intestine or pancreas, also known as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

When should one not use Rabeprazole

• If you are allergic to Rabeprazole.
• If you are pregnant or think that you could be pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Sleeplessness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach discomfort

Other General Warnings

• You have stomach pain, indigestion and problems in swallowing, family history of stomach cancer.
• You vomit food or blood or you are passing black stools.
• You have a skin reaction after taking similar medicine.
• You are experiencing frequent diarrhoea.
• You have a liver function problem.
• You are experiencing symptoms like painful joints, skin rashes and tiredness.
• You are to undergo any blood test (Chromogranin A).
• You are expected to take this medicine for a longer duration as there are several risks associated with that.
• The long term treatment with the Rabeprazole may lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12 which can produce symptoms like pale skin, sore tongue, weakness, headache, disturbed vision and irritability.
• The long term treatment of this medicine may also weaken your bones or may slightly increase the risk of fracture.
• In some patients with ulcers, the course of this medicine may take 1 to 3 months. Do not stop the medicine on your own.
• Rabeprazole is not recommended for use in children.

How Does It Work?

• In an average healthy individual, specific cells in the stomach get stimulated and release acid after intake of food. In certain individuals, the stomach wall secretes an excess of acids and lead to acid-related stomach problems such as ulcers.
• Rabeprazole blocks the activity of certain processes in the stomach walls known as proton pumps thus acid release in the stomach decreases and this helps in the healing of ulcers and improves symptoms such as acidity and heartburn.

Interactions with other medicines

• Rabeprazole may interact with other medicines, discuss with your doctor about all the medicines, supplements or herbal preparations you are taking. Also, you should inform your doctor if you have a planned surgery or vaccination scheduled.
• Concomitant use of Rabeprazole along with medicines used to treat HIV infections, like Atazanavir, Nelfinavir, Rilpivirine, or the use of antacids should be avoided as Rabeprazole may decrease the effectiveness of these medicines.
• There can be increased chances of getting side effects if you are taking a medicine containing Digoxin used to treat heart failure along with Rabeprazole, especially in elderly patients.
• Concomitant use of anticoagulants like Warfarin can increase the risk of bleeding and ulcers.
• Other medicines like Methotrexate and antifungals such as Ketoconazole or Itraconazole should be used cautiously, as they can alter the effects of the Rabeprazole.

Interactions with food items

Overdose

Missed a Dose