Aciphex
Generic Name: rabeprazole (rah BEH prah zole)
Brand Names: Aciphex
What is Aciphex?
Aciphex decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
Aciphex is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Aciphex is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid).
Aciphex may also be given with an antibiotic to prevent gastric ulcer caused by infection with helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).
Aciphex may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Aciphex?
You should not use Aciphex 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 Aciphex 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 Aciphex for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Aciphex?
You should not use Aciphex if you are allergic to rabeprazole or to similar medicines such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), or pantoprazole (Protonix).
Before taking Aciphex, 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 Aciphex.
Some conditions are treated with a combination of Aciphex 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 Aciphex 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 Aciphex?
Take Aciphex 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.
Aciphex 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, Aciphex may be needed for only 7 days. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Take this medicine with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
Aciphex may be taken with or without food.
Do not crush, break, or chew a Aciphex 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 Aciphex for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed. Store Aciphex at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a Aciphex overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking Aciphex?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Aciphex.
Aciphex side effects
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:
headache;
upset stomach or diarrhea;
insomnia or nervousness; or
a rash or itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Aciphex?
The following drugs can interact with Aciphex. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Aciphex. 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.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about Aciphex.
What does my medication look like?
Rabeprazole is available with a prescription under the brand name Aciphex. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about Aciphex, especially if it is new to you.
Aciphex 20 mg - light yellow, enteric-coated tablets
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Aciphex only for the indication prescribed.
See Also
Pronounced: ASS-ih-fex
Generic name: Rabeprazole sodium
Why is this drug prescribed?
AcipHex blocks acid production in the stomach. It is prescribed for the short-term (4 to 8 weeks) treatment of sores and inflammation in the upper digestive canal (esophagus). This condition, known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is caused by the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus over a prolonged period of time. Because GERD can be chronic, your doctor may continue to prescribe AcipHex to prevent a relapse after your initial course of treatment and to relieve symptoms of GERD such as heartburn.
AcipHex can also be prescribed for the short-term (up to 4 weeks) treatment of duodenal ulcers (ulcers that form just outside the stomach at the top of the small intestine), and for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a disease which causes the stomach to produce too much acid. The drug is classified as a "proton pump inhibitor." It works by blocking a specific enzyme essential to the production of stomach acid. It begins reducing acid within an hour of administration.
AcipHex is sometimes combined with the antibiotics amoxicillin and clarithromycin to treat infections caused by H. pylori, a type of bacteria that lives in the digestive tract and is often associated with recurrent ulcers.
Most important fact about this drug
AcipHex will work even if your symptoms are caused by a serious condition such as stomach cancer. For that reason, doctors are warned to rule out cancer whenever prescribing this drug.
How should you take this medication?
Take AcipHex once a day, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole; it should not be crushed, chewed, or split. You can continue taking antacids during AcipHex therapy.
If you're using AcipHex along with amoxicillin and clarithromycin, take all three drugs at the same time twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. This three-drug regimen should be taken with meals.
--If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once.
--Storage instructions...
AcipHex should be stored at room temperature and protected from moisture.
What side effects may occur?
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking AcipHex. Headache is the most common side effect of AcipHex, occurring in two people out of 100.
Why should this drug not be prescribed?
If AcipHex gives you an allergic reaction, you will not be able to use it.
Special warnings about this medication
If you have stomach ulcers caused by the H. pylori bacteria, AcipHex could make the condition slightly worse. The doctor may order a test for H. pylori before prescribing this drug. If you test positive, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics along with AcipHex.
AcipHex has not been tested in children under 18 years of age.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
If AcipHex is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increase, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining AcipHex with the following:
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The effects of AcipHex during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. The drug may appear in breast milk and should not be taken while you're breastfeeding.
Recommended dosage
ADULTS
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
The usual dose is 20 milligrams once a day for 4 to 8 weeks. For patients who have not healed after 8 weeks, the doctor may prescribe an additional 8-week course of AcipHex therapy.
To Relieve Symptoms or Prevent a Relapse of GERD
The usual dose is 20 milligrams once a day.
Duodenal Ulcer
The usual dose is 20 milligrams taken once daily after the morning meal for a period of up to 4 weeks. Some people may require an additional 4 weeks of treatment.
Combination Drug Treatment to Eliminate H. Pylori
The recommended combination is 20 milligrams of AcipHex, 1,000 milligrams of amoxicillin, and 500 milligrams of clarithromycin taken twice a day for 7 days. It's important to take all three drugs for the entire 7 days. Cutting the treatment short could fail to eliminate the infection and possibly lead to antibiotic resistance.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
The usual starting dose is 60 milligrams once a day, although your doctor may adjust the dose based on your individual need. Doses of up to 100 milligrams once a day or 60 milligrams twice a day are sometimes prescribed.
Overdosage
Little is known about AcipHex overdose. However, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
See Also
Generic name: Rabeprazole sodium
Why is AcipHex prescribed?
AcipHex blocks acid production in the stomach. It is prescribed for the short-term (4 to 8 weeks) treatment of sores and inflammation in the upper digestive canal (esophagus). This condition, known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is caused by the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus over a prolonged period of time. Because GERD can be chronic, your doctor may continue to prescribe AcipHex to prevent a relapse after your initial course of treatment and to relieve symptoms of GERD such as heartburn.
AcipHex can also be prescribed for the short-term (up to 4 weeks) treatment of duodenal ulcers (ulcers that form just outside the stomach at the top of the small intestine), and for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a disease which causes the stomach to produce too much acid. The drug is classified as a "proton pump inhibitor." It works by blocking a specific enzyme essential to the production of stomach acid. It begins reducing acid within an hour of administration.
AcipHex is sometimes combined with the antibiotics amoxicillin and clarithromycin to treat infections caused by H. pylori, a type of bacteria that lives in the digestive tract and is often associated with recurrent ulcers.
Most important fact about AcipHex
AcipHex will work even if your symptoms are caused by a serious condition such as stomach cancer. For that reason, doctors are warned to rule out cancer whenever prescribing this drug.
How should you take AcipHex?
Take AcipHex once a day, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole; it should not be crushed, chewed, or split. You can continue taking antacids during AcipHex therapy.
If you're using AcipHex along with amoxicillin and clarithromycin, take all three drugs at the same time twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. This three-drug regimen should be taken with meals.
If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once.
Storage instructions...
AcipHex should be stored at room temperature and protected from moisture.
What side effects may occur?
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking AcipHex. Headache is the most common side effect of AcipHex, occurring in two people out of 100.
Why should AcipHex not be prescribed?
If AcipHex gives you an allergic reaction, you will not be able to use it.
Special warnings about AcipHex
If you have stomach ulcers caused by the H. pylori bacteria, AcipHex could make the condition slightly worse. The doctor may order a test for H. pylori before prescribing this drug. If you test positive, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics along with AcipHex.
AcipHex has not been tested in children under 18 years of age.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking AcipHex
If AcipHex is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increase, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining AcipHex with the following:
Cyclosporine
Digoxin
Ketoconazole
Warfarin
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The effects of AcipHex during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. The drug may appear in breast milk and should not be taken while you're breastfeeding.
Recommended dosage for AcipHex
ADULTS
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
The usual dose is 20 milligrams once a day for 4 to 8 weeks. For patients who have not healed after 8 weeks, the doctor may prescribe an additional 8-week course of AcipHex therapy.
To Relieve Symptoms or Prevent a Relapse of GERD
The usual dose is 20 milligrams once a day.
Duodenal Ulcer
The usual dose is 20 milligrams taken once daily after the morning meal for a period of up to 4 weeks. Some people may require an additional 4 weeks of treatment.
Combination Drug Treatment to Eliminate H. Pylori
The recommended combination is 20 milligrams of AcipHex, 1,000 milligrams of amoxicillin, and 500 milligrams of clarithromycin taken twice a day for 7 days. It's important to take all three drugs for the entire 7 days. Cutting the treatment short could fail to eliminate the infection and possibly lead to antibiotic resistance.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
The usual starting dose is 60 milligrams once a day, although your doctor may adjust the dose based on your individual need. Doses of up to 100 milligrams once a day or 60 milligrams twice a day are sometimes prescribed.
Overdosage
Little is known about AcipHex overdose. However, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.