Aciphex, also known under its generic name of rabeprazole, is part of a drug group called pump inhibitors. Simply put, this medicine reduces the amount of acid in your stomach. The drug is used for treatment of the following conditions:

• Condition of Increased Mast Cells;

• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, a condition when the stomach acid is pressed into the esophagus (also known as a gullet);

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);

• Benign tumors of the glands producing hormones;

• Esophageal reflux of stomach acid and related symptoms;

• Duodenum ulcer that is caused by bacteria helicobacter pylori;

• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome;

• Other conditions in which there is an excess of stomach acid secretion.

This medicine is sometimes also used to address the following:

• Stomach bleeding;

• Duodenum or Esophagus;

• Stomach ulcer resulted from Aspirin and/or Ibuprofen-like drugs;

• Other conditions when your esophagus has been damaged by stomach acid.

Aciphex is sometimes administered with an antibiotic to treat gastric ulcer related to an infection with helicobacter pylori.

Generally, it should be known that this medication is not meant to immediately relief symptoms related to heartburn. It acts over time so it is important not to miss your dose and to consult your physician if you wish to increase, decrease or otherwise change the dose, or to discontinue taking the drug.

Precautions

One should avoid taking this medication if there is a known history of allergic reaction to rabeprazole or similar drugs, such as omeprazole (Zegerid or Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix) or esomeprazole (Nexium).

Because heartburn is frequently confused with the first symptoms that might occur in case of a heart attack, you should immediately seek medical attention if you feel one of the following:

• Heavy feeling in your chest or chest pain;

• Pain coming from your chest but spreading to your shoulder area and arms;

• Sweating;

• Nausea;

• General feeling of illness.

The medication dosage may need to be adjusted if the patient has a severe liver condition. In such case, please consult your doctor before taking the drug.

Because Aciphex acts as a pump inhibitor it may raise the risk of bone fracture in the spine, hip or wrist areas. Such cases were very rare and only observed in people who had been taking the drug for very long periods of time at high dosage, as well as in elderly people in their 50s and later. It has not been definitely proven that the drug alone causes the risk of bone fracture but if you do have osteopenia (low density of minerals in your bones) or osteoporosis, please seek your doctor's advice before taking this medication.

How to take this medication

Aciphex oral is taken by mouth with plenty of water. It does not matter whether you take it with food or without food. The pill should be swallowed in whole, not to be crushed, chewed or broken. The usual length of treatment with this medication is four to eight weeks. In some cases a second round of treatment is required. Because this medication is not intended for immediate relief of your symptoms, it is important to continue taking it for the full length of time prescribed by your pharmacist or doctor. You should continue using Aciphex even if you feel better without missing any dose.