Rabeprazole

Rabeprazole oral tablet is a prescription medication also accessible as a generic medication. Rabeprazole belongs to the proton pump inhibitor family of medicines (PPIs). The amount of acid produced by your stomach is decreased with Rabeprazole. Therefore, it is frequently used to treat conditions such as indigestion, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Both the pill and capsule versions of Rabeprazole have a delayed release, as the medication needs to be gradually delivered into your body over time.

How Does Rabeprazole Work?

Rabeprazole exerts its effects by inhibiting the action of proton pumps in the stomach lining. Proton pumps are responsible for the secretion of stomach acid. By blocking these pumps, Rabeprazole reduces the production of acid, leading to a decrease in acidity levels in the stomach.

What are the uses of Rabeprazole? 

Rabeprazole is a medication that treats stomach and oesophagal issues (such as acid reflux and ulcers). It functions by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach produces. As a result, it alleviates symptoms, including heartburn, trouble swallowing, and coughing. In addition, this medicine helps counter acid damage to the stomach and oesophagus, preventing ulcers and oesophagal cancer.

How and when to take Rabeprazole?

Rabeprazole is typically taken once daily, first thing in the morning. Follow doctors’ advice The ideal time to take Rabeprazole is before food. Your pills should be consumed whole, along with some water or fruit juice. If Rabeprazole isn't functioning well enough, your doctor may occasionally up the dosage. Depending on why you're taking it, you could start on Rabeprazole at a higher dose, often for a month or two. Following this, your doctor could advise that you take a reduced dose.

Depending on your health, you might only take Rabeprazole for a few weeks or months. After that, you might need to take it longer, perhaps even for years.

What are the side effects of Rabeprazole?

Rabeprazole often has no negative side effects on users. In case of a side effect, it will often be minor and go away once you stop taking Rabeprazole. About 1 in 100 individuals have these adverse effects.

• Headache
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Sore throat
• Feeling tired.

Along with minor side effects, there may be some severe ones:

• Severe joint pain and a red skin rash
• Experiencing persistent or severe diarrhoea
• Stomach aches that seem to be getting worse.

What precautions should be taken?

• Inform your doctor about your current medications, including those you are taking for lupus or liver illness.
• Before using Rabeprazole, let your doctor know if you have any additional allergies or any sensitivities to any related medications.
• When used for a longer period, at larger dosages, or in older persons, proton pump inhibitors (like Rabeprazole) may raise the risk of bone fractures. Using vitamin D and calcium supplements is one method of preventing bone loss and fractures. Discuss this with your doctor or chemist.
• The adverse effects of this medication, particularly bone loss, fractures, and Clostridium difficile infection, may be more severe in elderly individuals.
• This drug should be used only if essential during pregnancy. Analyse the advantages and disadvantages with your doctor.
• Rabeprazole might cause your body to have low magnesium levels. This usually occurs after a year of medication. Although low magnesium levels may not create symptoms, significant negative effects are possible. They can include muscular spasms, irregular heartbeats, or seizures.

What if I miss a dose or have an overdose of Rabeprazole?

If you missed your prescription dosage, take it as soon as you recall. Nevertheless, take just one dose if you remember only a few hours before your next dosage. Never take two doses at once in an attempt to catch up. This could have harmful effects.

If you think you may have taken too much, call your doctor right away. Lactic Acidosis, which needs rapid medical attention, may result from certain overdoses.

What are the storage conditions of Rabeprazole?

• Rabeprazole should be kept between 15 and 30C (59 and 86F) at room temperature.
• This drug shouldn't be kept in a bathroom or any other moist or damp environment.
• Avoid flushing or pouring drugs down the drain unless specifically directed to do so. When the product has run its course or is no longer required, dispose of it safely.

Caution with other medicine

Any medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements may interact with Rabeprazole oral tablets. As a result, the medicine may not function as intended or may even be hazardous. Your doctor should carefully monitor all of your prescriptions to assist you in preventing interactions. Tell your doctor about all the drugs, supplements, and herbal remedies you are using.

Medications you shouldn't take with Rabeprazole:

• HIV medications like rilpivirine, nelfinavir, and atazanavir
• Antifungal medications like itraconazole and ketoconazole
• Anti-cancer medications such as erlotinib, dasatinib, and nilotinib.
• Iron salts.

How fast does Rabeprazole work?

Within two to three days, you will start feeling better. Nevertheless, Rabeprazole may not start to function completely for up to 4 weeks, so you could still experience some side effects during this period.

Comparison of a Rabeprazole medicine with a Lansoprazole

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/Rabeprazole-oral-tablet#about https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/Rabeprazole/how-and-when-to-take-Rabeprazole/
https://www.rxsaver.com/drugs/Rabeprazole-sodium

Disclaimer: The information provided here is not meant to substitute an advice from a healthcare professional. The information is not intended to cover all the possible uses, side-effects, precautions, and drug interactions. This information is not intended to suggest that using a specific drug is suitable, safe, or efficient for you or anyone else. The absence of any information or warning regarding the drug should not be interpreted as an implicit guarantee from the organisation. We strongly advise you to consult a doctor if you have any concerns about the drug and never use the medication without a doctor’s prescription.