Rabeprazole
About Rabeprazole
Rabeprazole belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors, which are used to reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is commonly prescribed to treat duodenal ulcers (sores in the upper part of the small intestine), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease or GERD (when stomach acid flows back into the food pipe), heartburn (a burning feeling in the chest caused by acid), and erosive oesophagitis (damage to the lining of the food pipe due to acid). It is also used to treat infections caused by a stomach bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (along with antibiotics), and a rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (when the stomach makes too much acid).
Rabeprazole contains Rabeprazole, which works by blocking the acid-producing pumps in the stomach. By reducing acid levels, it helps relieve symptoms, allows ulcers and damaged areas to heal, and prevents new ulcers from forming.
Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration depending on your condition, so it’s essential to follow their instructions carefully. Some people may experience side effects while taking Rabeprazole. Common ones include headache, dizziness, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, gas (bloating), weakness, or a runny nose. These are usually mild and go away on their own. However, if any of these symptoms continue or become bothersome, you should contact your doctor.
Before taking Rabeprazole, inform your doctor if you have any liver problems or a stomach tumour. Long-term use may lower magnesium and vitamin B12 levels, and slightly increase the risk of bone fractures. Avoid alcohol, as it can increase stomach acid and side effects like drowsiness. Additionally, this medication may cause drowsiness or dizziness, so avoid driving or operating machinery until you feel fully alert. Rabeprazole is not recommended for children, and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using it.
Uses of Rabeprazole
Medicinal Benefits
- Rabeprazole contains Rabeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat conditions caused by excess stomach acid.
- It is commonly prescribed to manage acid-related disorders such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, acid reflux, and GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease).
- Rabeprazole works by blocking proton pumps in the stomach lining, which are responsible for producing acid.
- By reducing acid levels, Rabeprazole helps relieve symptoms like heartburn, indigestion, and sour burps.
- It also promotes the healing of ulcers and acid-related damage in the oesophagus (food pipe).
- When taken as prescribed, Rabeprazole helps prevent the recurrence of ulcers and effectively manages chronic conditions such as GERD and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
- Maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding spicy or acidic foods, reducing stress, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol can improve the effectiveness of Rabeprazole and support better digestive health over time.
Directions for Use
- Rabeprazole can be taken with or without food depending on the medical condition. However, it is preferable to take it at least 30 minutes before a meal for better efficacy.
- It is usually taken 1-2 times daily or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow Rabeprazole as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush or chew this medication.
Storage
Side Effects of Rabeprazole
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Flatulence (wind)
- Weakness
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Rabeprazole if you are allergic to Rabeprazole or any of its ingredients.
- Inform your doctor if you have liver problems, gastrointestinal conditions, or are scheduled for specific lab tests (e.g., Chromogranin A), as Rabeprazole may affect results.
- Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, before starting Rabeprazole.
- Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, persistent diarrhoea, dizziness, muscle cramps, or signs of low magnesium or vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Let your doctor know about all other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal products, or supplements, to avoid interactions.
- Use in children is not recommended, as the safety and effectiveness of Rabeprazole have not been established in pediatric patients.
- Elderly patients (65 years and above) should use Rabeprazole with caution, as they may be at greater risk for side effects like low magnesium levels, vitamin B12 deficiency, and bone fractures with long-term use.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Rabeprazole may have interaction with a pain killer (aspirin, naproxen), anti-depressant (duloxetine, amitriptyline), blood thinner (clopidogrel), a drug used to treat hypothyroidism (levothyroxine), anti-HIV (atazanavir), anti-fungal (ketoconazole, itraconazole), anti-cancer (methotrexate), vitamin (cyanocobalamin), and Medicines to help you to sleep or feel more relaxed (such as diazepam or zolpidem).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Alcohol intake leads to increased production of stomach acid, thereby increasing acidity and heartburn.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea, liver disease, bone fractures, and hypomagnesemia (low levels of magnesium).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Rabeprazole. Alcohol intake leads to increased production of stomach acid, thereby increasing acidity and heartburn.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing Rabeprazole.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will decide if Rabeprazole can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionRabeprazole may cause dizziness and sleepiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeRabeprazole is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat smaller meals more often.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Alcohol intake leads to increased production of stomach acid, thereby increasing acidity and heartburn.
- Maintain a healthy weight by regular exercising.
- Avoid lying down after eating to prevent acid reflux.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothes as it might increase the pressure on the abdomen, leading to acid reflux.
- Practise relaxation techniques and avoid stress by doing yoga or meditation.
- Avoid foods such as high-fat, spicy food, chocolates, citrus fruits, pineapple, tomato, onion, garlic, tea, and soda.
- Avoid sitting continuously, as it may trigger acidity. Take a 5-minute break every hour by brisk walking or stretching.
Special Advise
- Inform your doctor before taking Rabeprazole if you are due to have Chromogranin A blood test.
- Rabeprazole may cause abnormal blood and liver enzyme values. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Rabeprazole.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Acidity: The stomach is usually protected from the acid by a mucous layer. In some cases, due to excess acid production, the mucous layer gets eroded, which leads to complications like acidity, GERD, heartburn, peptic ulcer, and Zollinger Ellison syndrome.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): It is a condition that occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the food pipe (oesophagus). This backflow (acid reflux) irritates the food pipe and causes heartburn.
Duodenal ulcer: It is a painful condition followed by the development of sores or ulcers in the duodenum or stomach lining (first part of the small intestine, i.e., the duodenum).
Zollinger Ellison syndrome: It is a rare condition in which a gastrin-secreting tumour of the pancreas causes excessive acid production, leading to peptic ulcers.
FAQs
Rabeprazole is used to treat duodenal ulcers, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus), heartburn, erosive oesophagitis (acid-related damage to the lining of the oesophagus), infections caused by Helicobacter pylori when given along with an antibiotic, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Rabeprazole works by blocking the action of the enzyme known as gastric proton pump that is responsible for the production of acid. This helps in reducing the amount of acid produced, heals the ulcers and prevents the formation of new ulcers.
Talk to your doctor if you do not feel better even after taking Rabeprazole for 14 days. Do not take Rabeprazole for longer durations unless prescribed by the doctor. If Rabeprazole is prescribed for longer durations, a regular check-up is advised.
Do not discontinue Rabeprazole without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Rabeprazole for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Rabeprazole.
Diarrhoea might be a side-effect of Rabeprazole. Drink lots of fluids and eat non-spicy food if you experience diarrhoea. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you experience severe diarrhoea, consult your doctor. Prolonged intake of Rabeprazole is linked with a greater risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea, so if you develop diarrhoea that does not improve, immediately consult a doctor.
Dry mouth could be a side effect of Rabeprazole. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might help stimulate saliva and thereby prevent dry mouth.
On long-term treatment, Rabeprazole might increase the risk of fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. Inform your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids.
Rabeprazole should be used with caution in the elderly as it may cause bone weakness and increased risk of fractures if taken for longer duration.
Inform your doctor before taking Rabeprazole if you are due to have Chromogranin A blood test. Rabeprazole may cause abnormal blood and liver enzyme values. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Rabeprazole. This medicine may cause dizziness and sleepiness, so drive only if you are alert.
Long term treatment with Rabeprazole may cause malabsorption of vitamin B12 leading to its deficiency. Consult the doctor if you notice symptoms of cyanocobalamin deficiency like tiredness, sore mouth, mouth ulcers and pins & needles sensation.
Rabeprazole can be taken on an empty stomach as it helps regulate acid production.
Side effects of Rabeprazole include headache, dizziness, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, flatulence (wind), weakness, and runny nose. Consult the doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
