Drug Notes

Rabeprazole (By mouth)

Rabeprazole (ra-BEP-ra-zole)

Treats heartburn, stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagus damage, and conditions that cause your stomach to make too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. This medicine may be used with antibiotics to treat H pylori stomach infections and ulcers.

Brand Name(s):

Aciphex, Aciphex Sprinkle

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Delayed Release Capsule, Coated Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Sprinkle capsule:
  • Take the medicine 30 minutes before a meal. Do not swallow the capsule whole.
  • Open 1 capsule and pour the contents into a small amount of soft food or liquid. You may use applesauce, fruit or vegetable baby food, yogurt, infant formula, apple juice, or pediatric electrolyte solution (Pedialyte®). Swallow the mixture without chewing. Take the entire mixture within 15 minutes.
• Tablet: Swallow whole with water. Do not chew, crush, or break it.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use rabeprazole together with medicine that contains rilpivirine.
• Some foods and medicines can affect how rabeprazole works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Atazanavir, cyclosporine, dasatinib, digoxin, erlotinib, itraconazole, ketoconazole, methotrexate, mycophenolate, nelfinavir, nilotinib, saquinavir
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • Iron supplements

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, liver problems, lupus, osteoporosis, or vitamin B12 deficiency.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Kidney problems
  • Increased risk of broken bones in the hip, wrist, or spine (more likely if used several times per day or longer than 1 year)
  • Low magnesium or vitamin B12 levels in the blood
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, bloody or cloudy urine, swelling of the feet or lower legs
• Joint pain, rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun
• Nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness or weakness, muscle cramps, seizure, confusion
• Severe diarrhea that does not go away, stomach pain, fever

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache
• Mild diarrhea, constipation, gas, nausea, vomiting

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017