What is rabeprazole?
Rabeprazole decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
Rabeprazole is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other
conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Rabeprazole is also
used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid).
Rabeprazole may also be given with an antibiotic to prevent gastric ulcer caused by infection
with helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).
Rabeprazole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rabeprazole?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to rabeprazole or to similar medicines
such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), or
pantoprazole (Protonix).
Before taking rabeprazole, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or if you have severe
liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.
Some conditions are treated with a combination of rabeprazole and antibiotics. To best treat
your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor.
Be sure to read the
medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications.
Do
not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn
baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether rabeprazole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take rabeprazole?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Rabeprazole is usually given for 4 to 8 weeks only. Your doctor may recommend a second
course of treatment if you need additional healing time.
When treating H. pylori infection, rabeprazole may be needed for only 7 days. Follow your
doctor's instructions.
Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
Rabeprazole may be taken with or without food.
Do not crush, break, or chew a rabeprazole tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially
made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or crushing the pill would cause too much of the
drug to be released at one time.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed.
Store rabeprazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of rabeprazole?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about rabeprazole?
Your pharmacist has information about rabeprazole written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of rabeprazole?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about rabeprazole?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to rabeprazole or to similar medicines
such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), or
pantoprazole (Protonix).
Some conditions are treated with a combination of rabeprazole and antibiotics. To best treat
your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor.
Be sure to read the
medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications.
Do
not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed.
What should I avoid while taking rabeprazole?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while
you are using rabeprazole.
What other drugs will affect rabeprazole?
The following drugs can interact with rabeprazole. Tell your doctor if you are using any of
these:
-
atazanavir (Reyataz);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
clopidogrel (Plavix);
-
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
-
ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
-
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
rabeprazole. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of rabeprazole?