Rabeprazole is a gastric medicine.
It is used to treat conditions caused by excessive acidity in your stomach such as:
- ulcers in the stomach or duodenum (upper portion of the small intestine)
- reflux disease (also known as "heartburn," in which food or acid from your stomach backs up into your mouth, leaving a sour or bitter taste)
- hypersecretory conditions e.g. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a condition in which a growth in the pancreas or duodenum or both secretes too much acid)
Rabeprazole treats these conditions by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes.
This medicine may also be used together with other medicines to treat a specific type of stomach problem caused by
Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
Take Rabeprazole exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about whether you should take this medicine with or without food. Different brands of Rabeprazole may be taken differently. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Rabeprazole is available as a tablet or as a capsule.
If you are taking the tablet, swallow it whole. Do not divide, crush or chew the tablet.
If you are taking a capsule, you may open it and sprinkle the contents on a small amount of soft food (e.g. applesauce, yoghurt, fruit- or vegetable-based baby food) or empty the contents into a small amount of liquid (e.g. apple juice, infant formula, pediatric electrolyte solution). Do not swallow the capsule whole, or chew or crush the granules. Do not store for future use. Take it within 15 minutes of preparation.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the dosage and course of your treatment depending on your condition.
Rabeprazole must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Rabeprazole with rilpivirine (medicine for HIV infection).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- osteoporosis (thinning or weakening of bones)
- reduced body stores or risk factors for vitamin B12 malabsorption
- autoimmune disease (a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body)
- severe liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child or an elderly.
If you are going for certain laboratory tests (e.g. tetrahydrocannabinol screening test, chromogranin A, secretin stimulation test), inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
Individuals who are poor metabolisers of
CYP2D6 may experience enhanced effects of this medicine. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to take genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you. If you know you have this gene type, inform your doctor.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. You may need to have routine blood tests (e.g. magnesium level) to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Rabeprazole may cause you to be sleepy. Do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, constipation, stomach wind, back pain, weakness, flu-like illness, cough, runny nose, and difficulty sleeping.
Rabeprazole may cause severe, persistent diarrhoea. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain or cramps, watery or bloody stools.
If you are taking Rabeprazole for a long period of time, it may cause any of the following:
- fall in the magnesium levels in your blood which is usually characterised by spasm, cramps or muscle weakness, disorientation, convulsions, dizziness, increased heart rate
- increase risk of fracture in the hip, wrist or spine
- vitamin B12 malabsorption due to reduced amount of acid in your stomach
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Rabeprazole with rilpivirine (medicine for HIV infection).
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. tacrolimus
- methotrexate (medicine for cancer)
- warfarin (blood-thinning medicine)
- other medicines for HIV infection e.g. atazanavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Rabeprazole.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Do not eat raw food or food that is not cooked thoroughly, such as sushi and soft-boiled eggs. Meat should be cooked until well-done. Do not take unpasteurised whole milk, cheese or fruit juices. Spicy food and carbonated "fizzy" drinks like soft drinks should also be avoided.
Eat small but frequent meals as large single meals may increase the pressure in your stomach leading to reflux.
You should try to avoid lying down soon after eating as this may worsen reflux symptoms.
It may be helpful to discuss your diet with your doctor or dietitian as a change in diet may help improve your symptoms.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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