Why is this medication prescribed?
Rabeprazole is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and possible injury of the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat and stomach). Rabeprazole is used to treat the symptoms of GERD, allow the esophagus to heal, and prevent further damage to the esophagus. Rabeprazole is also used to treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Rabeprazole is used to treat ulcers (sores in the lining of the stomach or intestine) and is used in combination with other medications to eliminate H. pylori, a bacteria that causes ulcers. Rabeprazole is in a class of medications called proton-pump inhibitors. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made in the stomach.
How should this medicine be used?
Rabeprazole comes as a delayed-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. When rabeprazole is used to treat most conditions, it is usually taken once a day. When used to treat ulcers, rabeprazole is taken after the morning meal. When used in combination with other medications to eliminate H. pylori, rabeprazole is taken twice a day, with the morning and evening meals, for 7 days. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take rabeprazole exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often or for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the tablets whole with water; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Continue to take rabeprazole even if you feel well. Do not stop taking rabeprazole without talking to your doctor. If your condition does not improve or gets worse, call your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
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This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking rabeprazole,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to rabeprazole, dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in rabeprazole tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), atazanavir (Reyataz), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics ('water pills'), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and iron supplements. 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 a low level of magnesium in your blood or 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.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Rabeprazole may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
headache
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
stomach pain
constipation
gas
sore throat
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
blistering or peeling skin
rash
hives
swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, or throat
difficulty breathing or swallowing
irregular, fast, or pounding heartbeat
excessive tiredness
dizziness
lightheadedness
muscle spasms
uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
seizures
Rabeprazole may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking this medication.
People who take proton pump inhibitors such as rabeprazole may be more likely to fracture their wrists, hips, or spine than people who do not take one of these medications. The risk is highest in people who take high doses of one of these medications or take them for one year or longer. The risk may also be higher in people who are 50 years of age or older. Talk to your doctor about the risk of taking rabeprazole.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
