In the U.S.—

• Gastric acid pump inhibitor
• Antiulcer agent

Rabeprazole (ra-BE-pray-zole) is used to treat certain conditions in which there is too much acid in the stomach. It is used to treat duodenal ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which the acid in the stomach washes back up into the esophagus. Rabeprazole is also used to treat Zollinger-Ellison disease, a condition in which the stomach produces too much acid.

Rabeprazole works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Oral
• Delayed-release tablet (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For rabeprazole, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to rabeprazole. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Studies have not been done in humans. However, studies in animals have not been shown that rabeprazole causes harm to the fetus.

Breast-feeding—Rabeprazole may pass into the breast milk. Since this medicine has been shown to cause a decrease in body weight gain in animal studies, it may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast-feeding during treatment. Be sure you discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.

Children—There is no specific information comparing the use of rabeprazole in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—In studies done to date that have included older adults, rabeprazole did not cause different side effects or problems than it did in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking rabeprazole, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Digoxin (e.g., Lanoxin)—Rabeprazole may increase the amount of digoxin in the blood.
• Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral tablets)—Rabeprazole may decrease the amount of ketoconazole absorbed into the body.

• Liver disease—may increase chance of side effects
• Stomach infection—May make the condition worse

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, or split the tablet. Take this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. Also, keep your appointments with your doctor for check-ups so that your doctor will be better able to tell you when to stop taking this medicine.

Dosing—

The dose of rabeprazole will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of rabeprazole. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of doses you take each day and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking rabeprazole

• For oral dosage form (delayed-release tablet):
  • To treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):
    • Adults—20 mg once a day for 4 to 8 weeks.
    • Children up to 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor
  • To prevent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):
    • Adults—20 mg once a day.
    • Children up to 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor
  • To treat duodenal ulcers:
    • Adults—20 mg once a day after the morning meal for up to 4 weeks.
    • Children up to 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • To treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid:
    • Adults—At first, 60 mg once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
    • Children up to 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. If your condition does not improve, or it it becomes worse, discuss this with your doctor.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Breathing interruptions;  bloody urine ;  convulsions (seizures);  chills, fever, or sore throat;  continuing ulcers or sores in mouth;  unusual bleeding or bruising;  unusual tiredness or weakness;  yellow eyes or skin 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• More common
  • Headache 
  
  

• Less common or rare
  • Constipation;  diarrhea ;  dizziness;  feeling weak;  gas;  heartburn;  itchy skin;  nausea and vomiting;  numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet;  sleepiness;  stomach pain 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.