Aciphex

Aciphex

     * Generic Name: rabeprazole sodium
     * Brand Name: Aciphex


     * What is rabeprazole (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?
     * What are the possible side effects of rabeprazole (AcipHex,
       AcipHex Sprinkle)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       rabeprazole (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       rabeprazole (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?
     * How should I take rabeprazole (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?
     * What happens if I overdose (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?
     * What should I avoid while taking rabeprazole (AcipHex, AcipHex
       Sprinkle)?
     * What other drugs will affect rabeprazole (AcipHex, AcipHex
       Sprinkle)?
     * Where can I get more information (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?

What is rabeprazole (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?

   Rabeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that decreases the amount of
   acid produced in the stomach.

   Rabeprazole is used short-term to treat symptoms of
   gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in adults and children
   who are at least 1 year old.

   Rabeprazole is used only in adults to treat conditions involving
   excessive stomach acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
   Rabeprazole is also used in adults to promote healing of duodenal
   ulcers or erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused
   by stomach acid).

   Rabeprazole may also be given with an antibiotic to prevent
   duodenal ulcer caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori (H.
   pylori).

   Rabeprazole is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

   Rabeprazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of rabeprazole (AcipHex, AcipHex
Sprinkle)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
     * sudden pain or trouble moving your hip, wrist, or back;
     * seizure (convulsions);
     * kidney problems--urinating less than usual, blood in your urine,
       swelling, rapid weight gain;
     * symptoms of lupus--new or worsening joint pain, skin rash on
       your cheeks and arms (worsens in sunlight);
     * symptoms of low magnesium--dizziness, irregular heart rate, feeling
       jittery, muscle pain or weakness, muscle spasms in your
       hands and feet, choking feeling, hoarse voice, seizure;
     * symptoms of low vitamin B--pale skin, tiredness, muscle
       weakness, irregular heartbeats, feeling light-headed or short of
       breath; or
     * signs of bleeding (if you also take warfarin)--headaches,
       dizziness, weakness; pain or swelling; bruising, unusual bleeding
       (nosebleeds, bleeding gums); red or pink urine; heavy menstrual
       flow; bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit
       that looks like coffee grounds; or any bleeding that will not
       stop.

   Common side effects may include:
     * headache;
     * nausea, vomiting;
     * diarrhea, constipation; or
     * stomach pain.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about rabeprazole
(AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?

   Rabeprazole can cause kidney problems, an intestinal infection, or
   lupus (an autoimmune disorder).

   Call your doctor right away if you have new or worsening joint pain, a
   skin rash that gets worse in sunlight, severe stomach pain, watery or
   bloody diarrhea, blood in your urine, or little or no urination.

   Taking rabeprazole may increase your risk of bone fracture in the hip,
   wrist, or spine, especially if you take the medicine long term or more
   than once per day.

   Aciphex Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Heartburn:Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid

   Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow
   Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions

   Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the GERD Quiz

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rabeprazole
(AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?

   Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart
   attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or
   heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea,
   sweating, and a general ill feeling.

   You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to rabeprazole or:
     * if you also take any medicine that contains rilpivirine, such as
       Edurant or Complera; or
     * if you also allergic to medicines like rabeprazole, such as
       esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid),
       omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), or pantoprazole
       (Protonix).

   To make sure rabeprazole is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have
   ever had:
     * liver disease;
     * osteoporosis or low bone mineral density (osteopenia);
     * lupus (an autoimmune disorder); or
     * low levels of magnesium in your blood.

   Taking a proton pump inhibitor such as rabeprazole may increase your
   risk of bone fracture in the hip, wrist, or spine. This effect has
   occurred mostly in people who have taken the medicine long term or more
   than once per day, and in those who are age 50 and older. It is not
   clear whether rabeprazole is the actual cause of an increased risk of
   fracture.

   It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
   your doctor if you are pregnant.

   It is not known whether rabeprazole passes into breast milk or if it
   could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
   baby.

How should I take rabeprazole (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?

   Rabeprazole is usually taken once per day. Follow all directions on
   your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller
   amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Rabeprazole is for short-term use only, usually 4 to 8 weeks. Your
   doctor may recommend a second course of treatment if you need
   additional healing time.

   Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Certain
   forms and strengths of rabeprazole should not be given to a child
   younger than 12 years old.

   AcipHex Sprinkle should not be given to a child younger than 1 year
   old.

   When treating H. pylori infection, rabeprazole may be needed for only 7
   days. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

   Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

   If you take rabeprazole to treat duodenal ulcers, take the medicine
   after a meal. If you take rabeprazole to prevent ulcers caused by
   Helicobacter pylori, take the medicine with food. If you take
   rabeprazole for any other condition, you may take the medicine with or
   without food.

   The rabeprazole delayed-release capsule (AcipHex Sprinkle) should be
   taken 30 minutes before a meal.

   Do not crush, break, or chew a rabeprazole tablet. Swallow it whole.

   To take delayed-release rabeprazole (AcipHex Sprinkle), open the
   capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of soft food such as
   applesauce, yogurt, or baby food made from fruit or vegetable. You
   may also mix the medicine with apple juice, Pedialyte, or
   infant formula. Swallow right away without chewing. Do not save the
   mixture for later use; it will go bad after 15 minutes.

   Some conditions are treated with a combination of rabeprazole and
   antibiotics. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read all
   patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided
   to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

   Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's
   advice.

   Take your medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your
   symptoms may improve before your condition is completely cleared.

   This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests.
   Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using rabeprazole.

   Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse
   while using rabeprazole.

   If you use rabeprazole for longer than 3 years, you could develop a
   vitamin B-12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor about how to manage this
   condition if you develop it.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Aciphex Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Heartburn:Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid

   Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow
   Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions

   Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the GERD Quiz

What happens if I miss a dose (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking rabeprazole (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?

   This medicine can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new
   infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your
   doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you
   to.

What other drugs will affect rabeprazole (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?

   Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or
   stop using, especially:
     * digoxin;
     * methotrexate; or
     * warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

   This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with rabeprazole,
   including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
   herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this
   medication guide.

Where can I get more information (AcipHex, AcipHex Sprinkle)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about rabeprazole.
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