Brand Name

Aciphex {Eisai/Janssen}

Generic Name

rabeprazole, pronounced ra BEP ra zole

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Aciphex?

Aciphex is a medication that decreases the amount of acid that is produced in your stomach. In the group of medications called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, Aciphex helps to prevent and treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease {GERD}, erosive esophagitis and hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Aciphex may also be prescribed alongside an antibiotic to treat an infection with helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori.

Aciphex may also be used for conditions not stated in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Aciphex

Aciphex is part of a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs. Aciphex can help you by decreasing the amount of acid produced in your stomach.

Your doctor may have prescribed Aciphex to help treat your symptoms from conditions involving excess stomach acids, like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Aciphex may also be given alongside antibiotics to treat infections like H. pylori. It is important that you take all of the medications your doctor has prescribed.

Aciphex should not be used for an immediate relief of your heartburn symptoms.

Heartburn may be confused with initial symptoms of a heart attack. You should seek emergency medical assistance if you experience chest pain or a heavy feeling, nausea, sweating, pain spreading to your arm or shoulder, or a general feeling of being ill while taking Aciphex.

If you take a proton pump inhibitor like Aciphex you may have an increased risk of bone fractures in your hips, wrists, or spine. This effect has occurred in people who have either taken this medication for a long time and at high doses, or who are older than age 50. It is not known if Aciphex is the cause of this increased risk of fractures.

Aciphex is in FDA Category B. We do not know if Aciphex can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant if you are taking Aciphex. We do not know if Aciphex can pass into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breast-feeding while you are
taking Aciphex.

Before You Take Aciphex

If you are allergic to rabeprazole or to similar medicines such as lansoprazole (Prevacid), esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), or pantoprazole (Protonix) you should not take Aciphex.

You should tell your doctor if you have low levels of magnesium in your blood or liver disease, as these may be reasons for you not to take Aciphex. Tell your doctor if you have either of these conditions.

Aciphex may cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is bloody or watery immediately stop taking Aciphex and call your doctor. Do not take an anti-diarrhea medication without first consulting your doctor.

Aciphex Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• atazanavir (Reyataz)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune, Neoral)
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
• diuretics or water pills
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• warfarin (Coumadin)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Aciphex. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Aciphex

You should take Aciphex for the entire length of time your doctor has prescribed you to take it, even if your symptoms improve before you have finished your prescription. Sometimes your symptoms may improve but your condition has not yet been fully treated. You should call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if you experience a worsening of your symptoms while taking this medicine.

You can take Aciphex with or without food.

Take Aciphex with a full glass of water.

Aciphex is typically prescribed for a period of 4 to 8 weeks only. Talk to your doctor if you feel that your symptoms have not improved after your first dose period.

If you are taking Aciphex in conjunction with antibiotics to treat an H. pylori infection you may only need 7 days of treatment. Your doctor will give you instructions about how long you will need to take Aciphex and an antibiotic. Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly.

Aciphex should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Aciphex you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Aciphex Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Aciphex and seek emergency medical help immediately.

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives or swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• confusion
• coughing or choking feeling
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• dizziness
• fast heart rate
• feeling jittery
• jerking muscle movements
• muscle cramps or weakness
• seizure activity

Less serious side effects may include:

• diarrhea (mild)
• headache
• insomnia
• nausea
• nervousness
• rash
• stomach pain or upset

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Aciphex. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Aciphex Description and Dosing

Aciphex is available as a 20 mg light yellow, enteric-coated, delayed-release tablets. The name and strength, in milligrams (Aciphex 20) is imprinted on one side of the tablet.

Dosing of Aciphex is based on individual needs. Your doctor will determine the correct dose for your age, situation and state of health. Ask your doctor for specific dosing pertaining to you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you think you may have overdosed on Aciphex seek emergency medical help immediately.

Ingredients in Aciphex

The active ingredient in Aciphex is rabeprazole. Inactive ingredients 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.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.