Aciphex Information and Uses

Aciphex

Aciphex Overview

Aciphex (generic: rabeprazole) is a prescription medication used to treat digestive problems such as heartburn and acid reflux. Aciphex belongs to a group of drugs called proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). It works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Aciphex comes in tablet form and is usually taken once a day.

Common side effects of Aciphex include headache, sore throat, and constipation.

Uses of Aciphex

Aciphex is a prescription medicine used for the following conditions:

heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
duodenal ulcers
acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus
H. pylori infections
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a condition in which the stomach makes too much acid)

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Aciphex

Aciphex may cause serious allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

rash
face swelling
throat tightness
difficulty breathing

If a serious allergic reaction occurs, stop taking Aciphex.

Aciphex may cause low blood magnesium, a serious condition. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms:

seizures
dizziness
abnormal or fast heart beat
jitteriness
jerking movements or shaking (tremors)
muscle weakness
spasms of the hands and feet
cramps or muscle aches
spasm of the voice box

Your doctor may check the level of magnesium in your body before you start taking Aciphex, during treatment, or if you will be taking Aciphex for a long period of time.

The most common side effects with Aciphex may include:

headache
pain
sore throat
gas
infection
constipation

People who are taking multiple daily doses of Proton Pump Inhibitor medicines for a long period of time may have an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the side effects of Aciphex. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Aciphex Interactions

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you are taking or are planning to take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

atazanavir (Reyataz)
cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
digoxin (Lanoxin)
ketoconazole (Nizoral)
warfarin (Coumadin)
theophylline (THEO-24 Thelair)
diazepam (Valium)
phenytoin (Dilantin)
antibiotics

Aciphex Precautions

Do not take Aciphex if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Aciphex. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to similar medications, especially other Proton Pump Inhibitors.

Do not take Aciphex if you are less than 12 years of age.

Aciphex and other proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can increase your risk of developing a serious type of diarrhea caused by a bacteria called Clostridium Difficile. Tell your doctor if you experience a new onset of severe diarrhea.

Aciphex Food Interactions

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Aciphex there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Aciphex.

Inform MD

Before you take Aciphex tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have any liver problems.
have any allergies.
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
are breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Aciphex and Pregnancy

Before you take Aciphex tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Aciphex can harm your unborn baby.

Aciphex and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Aciphex is excreted in human breast milk or if it can harm your nursing baby.

Aciphex Usage

Take Aciphex exactly as prescribed.
Do not change your dose or stop taking Aciphex unless you talk to your doctor. Take Aciphex for as long as it is prescribed even if you feel better.
Continue to take this medication for as long as it is prescribed, even if you feel better.
Aciphex is usually taken once a day.
Your doctor will tell you the time of day to take Aciphex.
Aciphex can be taken with or without food.
Swallow each Aciphex tablet whole with water.
Do not chew, crush, or split Aciphex tablets because this will damage the tablet and the medicine will not work. Tell your doctor if you cannot swallow tablets whole. You may need a different medicine.
If you miss a dose of Aciphex, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Aciphex Dosage

Take Aciphex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will determine the right dose for you based on your medical condition.

The usual Aciphex dose is 20 mg once daily for 4 to 8 weeks.

Aciphex Overdose

If you think you have taken too much Aciphex call your doctor or local Poison Control Center right away, or seek emergency medical attention.

Forms of Aciphex

Aciphex is available as 20 mg light yellow delayed-release tablets.

Active Ingredient: rabeprazole sodium

Inactive ingredients of the 20 mg tablet are carnauba wax, crospovidone, diacetylated monoglycerides, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose phthalate, magnesium stearate, mannitol, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, sodium stearyl fumarate, talc, and titanium dioxide. Iron oxide yellow is the coloring agent for the tablet coating. Iron oxide red is the ink pigment.