Dexrabeprazole
About Dexrabeprazole
Dexrabeprazole is an oral prescription medication used to treat conditions caused by excess stomach acid, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and stomach ulcers. It works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces, helping to relieve symptoms like heartburn, acid regurgitation, and difficulty swallowing. This medication helps heal acid damage to the stomach and oesophagus, preventing more serious complications over time.
For the best results, you should take Dexrabeprazole consistently every day, exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It is typically taken once daily, usually in the morning on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before your first meal. Making simple lifestyle adjustments, such as eating smaller meals and avoiding eating right before bed, can also significantly improve your recovery.
While taking Dexrabeprazole, you might experience mild side effects like headaches, mild diarrhoea, or stomach pain. These usually go away as your body adjusts to the medicine, but you should contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience severe diarrhoea, muscle spasms, or signs of an allergic reaction.
Talk to your doctor before starting Dexrabeprazole if you have severe liver damage, low magnesium levels, or osteoporosis. Do not take this if you are allergic to this medication or similar acid-reducing drugs.
This medication can interact with certain blood thinners or antifungal drugs, potentially changing how they work in your body. It is also wise to limit alcohol and avoid smoking, as both can worsen stomach irritation and reduce the effectiveness of your treatment. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an elderly individual, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine to ensure it is safe for you.
Uses of Dexrabeprazole
Medicinal Benefits
Dexrabeprazole helps manage digestive problems caused by excess stomach acid and reduces the risk of recurring acid-related problems.
Benefits may include:
- Helps relieve heartburn and acid reflux.
- Reduces stomach acid to improve digestive comfort.
- Supports the healing of stomach and oesophageal ulcers.
- Promotes healing of inflammation caused by acid reflux.
- Helps prevent the recurrence of acid-related ulcers.
- Improves overall comfort and quality of life with regular treatment.
Directions for Use
- Swallow the medicine whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break it, as this can destroy its protective coating.
- Take this medicine in the morning, preferably 30 minutes before breakfast.
- Always follow your doctor's exact instructions regarding how long you need to continue taking this medication.
Storage
Side Effects of Dexrabeprazole
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Mild diarrhoea or constipation
- Stomach pain or gas
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe, persistent watery diarrhoea accompanied by fever or stomach cramps
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Unexplained muscle cramps, shakiness, or irregular heartbeat (which may point to low magnesium levels)
- Sudden bone pain, especially in the hip, wrist, or spine (associated with long-term use)
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the expiry date: Always check the expiry date on the package before taking this medicine. Do not use it if it has expired.
- Inspect the packaging: Make sure the blister pack or bottle is not damaged, and the tablets look normal. Do not take the medicine if the tablets are cracked or have changed colour.
- Inform your healthcare provider: Tell your doctor or any healthcare professional that you are taking Dexrabeprazole, especially before an endoscopy or certain blood tests.
- Attend regular monitoring if needed: If you use this medicine for a long time, your doctor may check your magnesium levels or kidney function through blood tests.
- Do not share your medicine: Never give this medicine to others, even if they have similar symptoms like acidity, heartburn, or acid reflux.
Drug Interactions
- Antifungal medicines (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole): Taking these medicines alongside Dexrabeprazole may reduce their absorption and decrease their effectiveness.
- Blood thinners (e.g., warfarin): Taking these medicines with Dexrabeprazole may increase blood thinner levels and raise the risk of bleeding, which may require closer monitoring.
- Antiviral medicines (e.g., atazanavir): Taking these medicines alongside Dexrabeprazole may reduce the effectiveness of the antiviral treatment.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption as it may lead to increased production of stomach acid, thereby irritates the stomach lining and worsen the symptoms.
Pregnancy
cautionDexrabeprazole is a category B pregnancy drug and is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDexrabeprazole is usually contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers. Therefore, please consult a doctor before taking Dexrabeprazole if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionDexrabeprazole may cause drowsiness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery if you feel drowsy after taking Dexrabeprazole.
Liver
cautionTake Dexrabeprazole with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Dexrabeprazole with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeDexrabeprazole is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat smaller meals: Have smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large meals to reduce pressure on your stomach and help prevent discomfort.
- Avoid trigger foods: Limit foods and drinks that may worsen symptoms, such as spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, caffeine, chocolate, and carbonated beverages.
- Stay upright after meals: Remain upright for 2–3 hours after eating and avoid lying down or reclining immediately to reduce the risk of acid reflux.
- Elevate your sleeping position: Raise the head of your bed by 6–8 inches using bed risers or a wedge pillow to help prevent acid reflux during sleep.
- Wear comfortable clothing: Choose loose-fitting clothes around your waist to avoid extra pressure on your abdomen and reduce reflux symptoms.
Special Advise
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Dexrabeprazole to monitor magnesium levels in the blood.
- Dexrabeprazole may cause some abnormal liver enzymes and blood values. These changes are temporary and may return to normal after treatment with Dexrabeprazole is discontinued.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): The stomach is usually protected from acid by a mucous layer. In some cases, due to excess acid production, the mucous layer gets irritated or eroded, which leads to complications like GERD, hyperacidity, peptic ulcers, and heartburn. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the food pipe (esophagus). This backflow (acid reflux) irritates the food pipe and causes heartburn. Symptoms include heartburn, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, and difficulty swallowing.
Peptic ulcers: These are sores that develop on the lining of the stomach and intestine due to erosion of the stomach's protective lining. Symptoms include nausea, changes in appetite, bloody or dark stools, unexplained weight loss, vomiting, and indigestion.
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: It is characterized by the formation of tumors in the upper part of the small intestine, which leads to excess acid production. Symptoms include bloating, burping, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
FAQs
Dexrabeprazole is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Dexrabeprazole contains Dexrabeprazole that works by blocking the action of proton pumps that are involved in producing stomach acid. Thereby, Dexrabeprazole reduces the amount of acid produced by stomach and prevents excess acid flowing back into foodpipe. Thus, provides relief from heartburn symptoms related to acid reflux.
Dexrabeprazole may cause diarrhoea as a common side effect. However, if the condition persists or worsens with fever, watery or bloody stools or consistent stomach pain, please consult a doctor. Also, drink plenty of water while taking Dexrabeprazole to prevent dehydration.
Dexrabeprazole may cause low levels of magnesium in the blood if taken for more than 3 months. If you experience involuntary muscle contractions, tiredness, fits, increased heart rate or dizziness while taking Dexrabeprazole, please consult a doctor immediately as these might be signs of low magnesium levels. However, regular blood tests are recommended to monitor magnesium levels in the blood while taking Dexrabeprazole.
You are not recommended to take Dexrabeprazole with antifungals such as ketoconazole or itraconazole as it may reduce the effectiveness of antifungal against fungal infections. However, please consult your doctor before taking Dexrabeprazole with other medicines.
Dexrabeprazole should be used with caution in osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones) patients as it may worsen the condition especially if Dexrabeprazole is taken for more than 1 year as it increases the risk of fracture of spine, hip or wrist. Therefore, inform your doctor if have osteoporosis or if you are taking any steroids which may increase the risk of osteoporosis.
Dexrabeprazole may reduce the absorption of vitamin B12 and lead to its deficiency if used for more than 3 years. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have any risk factors for reduced vitamin B12 before taking Dexrabeprazole.
Dexrabeprazole is generally safe when used for the duration prescribed by your doctor. However, using it for more than a year or longer may increase the risk of side effects, such as bone fractures, low magnesium levels, vitamin B12 deficiency, and fundic gland polyps (growths in your stomach lining).
Long-term use of Dexrabeprazole may lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly in magnesium, calcium, and vitamin B12, due to reduced absorption. This may also increase the risk of bone fractures because of lower calcium levels. Therefore, it is important to follow your doctor's instructions when using Dexrabeprazole, especially for extended periods.
It is generally not recommended to drink alcohol while taking Dexrabeprazole, as alcohol can irritate your stomach lining and may reduce the effectiveness of the medication in treating acid-related conditions.
Yes, you can take Dexrabeprazole (a proton pump inhibitor) with antacids if your doctor advises it. Dexrabeprazole works best when your stomach is less acidic, and antacids can change the acidity in your stomach. To avoid any possible interference, it is advisable to maintain a gap of 2 hours between Dexrabeprazole and antacid medicines.
You should not stop taking Dexrabeprazole suddenly without consulting your doctor, even if your symptoms have completely disappeared. Stopping too early can cause your stomach to produce excess acid, leading to a return of your symptoms. Talk to your doctor to plan a safe way to stop using the medication.
Dexrabeprazole usually starts working within an hour of taking it. You may begin to feel better within 2 to 3 days, but it can take up to 4 weeks for your symptoms to fully improve.
The common side effects of Dexrabeprazole include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, stomach pain, and constipation. Most of these side effects of Dexrabeprazole do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
It is highly recommended to take Dexrabeprazole on an empty stomach, typically 30 minutes before your morning meal. Taking it with food can delay its absorption and make it less effective. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about timing.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if your next dose is only a few hours away, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed one. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you frequently miss doses.
Taking medications like Dexrabeprazole in high doses or for a year or longer may increase the risk of bone fractures, especially in older adults. If you have osteoporosis or are at risk for bone loss, discuss this with your healthcare provider. Talk to your doctor about ways to protect your bone health.
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