Details

Rabeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Rabeprazole is used short-term to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults and children who are at least 1 year old. Rabeprazole is used only in adults to treat conditions involving excessive stomach acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Rabeprazole is also used in adults to promote healing of duodenal ulcers or erosive esophagitis (damage to your oesophagus caused by stomach acid). Rabeprazole may also be given with an antibiotic to prevent duodenal ulcer caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Rabeprazole is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms. To make sure rabeprazole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have liver disease osteoporosis low bone mineral density (osteopenia) low levels of magnesium in your blood or a condition for which you take warfarin. Taking a proton pump inhibitor such as rabeprazole may increase your risk of bone fracture in the hip, wrist, or spine.

Typical Uses

Rabeprazole is used to treat certain stomach and oesophagus problems (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent cough. This medication helps heal acid damage to the stomach and oesophagus helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the oesophagus. Rabeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Side Effects

Common rabeprazole side effects may include severe stomach pain, diarrhoea that is watery or bloody seizure (convulsions) kidney problems-urinating more or less than usual, blood in your urine, swelling, rapid weight gain symptoms of low magnesium-dizziness, confusion fast or uneven heart rate tremors (shaking) or jerking muscle movements feeling jittery muscle pain or weakness, muscle spasms in your hands and feet cough or choking feeling or signs of bleeding (if you also take warfarin)-headaches, unusual weakness, dizziness unusual bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums) red or pink urine abnormal vaginal bleeding or heavy menstrual flow bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds or any bleeding that will not stop.

Drug Interactions

• Rabeprazole+atazanavir- Using atazanavir together with rabeprazole is not recommended. By reducing stomach acid, rabeprazole can decrease the absorption and blood levels of atazanavir and make the medication less effective against HIV. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to offer suggestions on safer alternatives if you require treatment for stomach acid or ulcer while you are being treated with atazanavir.
• Rabeprazole+clopidogrel- Talk to your doctor before using clopidogrel together with rabeprazole. Combining these medications may reduce the effectiveness of clopidogrel in preventing heart attack or stroke.
• Rabeprazole+dasatinib- Talk to your doctor before using dasatinib together with rabeprazole. Rabeprazole can interfere with the absorption of dasatinib and reduce its effectiveness. Combining these medications is generally not recommended. You should also avoid using antacids for two hours before or two hours after taking rabeprazole.
• Rabeprazole+rilpivirine- Using rilpivirine together with rabeprazole is not recommended. By reducing stomach acid, rabeprazole can decrease the absorption and blood levels of rilpivirine and make the medication less effective against HIV.
• Rabeprazole+nelfinavir- Using nelfinavir together with rabeprazole is not recommended. By reducing stomach acid, rabeprazole can decrease the absorption and blood levels of nelfinavir and make the medication less effective against HIV.

Mechanism of action

Rabeprazole belongs to class of medications called proton pump inhibitors. It blocks the activity of the proton pumps in the stomach wall that produce acid, thereby reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Pregnancy Category : B