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Rabeprazole is a medication belonging to the Proton Pump Inhibitor family of drugs, also known as PPIs.
Its primary indication is as a treatment for adults whose stomachs are producing too much acid, in order to reduce conditions brought on by excess acid issues (i.e., acid reflux, GERD, etc.).
Rabeprazole EC is the brand name for this medication, while the main active ingredient in Rabeprazole prescriptions is rabeprazole sodium.
If you’d like to learn more about how Rabeprazole prescriptions function or details regarding this treatment option, you can click here for more information.
Rabeprazole dosages work by reducing the amount of acid that your stomach produces, in order to reduce the symptoms and conditions associated with excess stomach acid.
It does this by blocking the final step in the gastric acid secretion process, as well as produces dose-related sustained prevention of gastric acid secretion.
What is Rabeprazole used to treat?
There are a number of uses for Rabeprazole prescriptions, depending on the specific symptoms and associated condition you’re experiencing. These include:
- Relieving symptoms of and to assist in healing duodenal ulcers
- Relieving symptoms of and to assist in healing stomach ulcers
- Relieving symptoms of and to assist with healing Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Treating symptoms of non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), such as heartburn and regurgitation
- Maintaining long-term healing after experiencing GERD
- Treating rare conditions that cause the production of excess stomach acid (i.e., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
It’s important that you only take Rabeprazole dosages for the specified amount of time your practitioner has suggested. It will usually be a set period of time.
Their goal will be for you to take the lowest dose of Rabeprazole possible, for the shortest period of time, while still providing relief for stomach acid issues.
Tablets are to be taken on the dosing schedule provided by your practitioner. They can be taken with or without food, but they should always be taken with a liquid. It’s best to take it 30-60 minutes before a meal for maximum effect. Don’t crush or chew the tablets.
Never take more than your prescribed dosage of Rabeprazole, and never double-up on your prescription or stop taking it without consulting your practitioner.
If you miss a dose of Rabeprazole, you can take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s getting close to the time for your next dosage, in which case you should skip the missed tablet. Taking too much Rabeprazole can cause interactions like worsened side effects.
How long does Rabeprazole last after you take it?
Rabeprazole dosages start to work within an hour of you taking the tablet, and it’s fully effective within your body within 1.5-5 hours, depending on your individual metabolics.
Repeat dosages have been shown to increase the ongoing effects of this medication, although the dosages of Rabeprazole are completely expelled from the body (90% in urine and 10% in feces) after being processed by your gastrointestinal tract.
SIDE NOTE: If you’re wondering, “how long is it safe to take Rabeprazole?”, the answer is as short as possible to achieve the results you need. The reason that practitioners typically use specific treatment periods is that use of Rabeprazole for a year or more can lead to an increased risk of fractures in your hips, wrists, or spine.
Most of the side effects of Rabeprazole dosages will be mild. Some patients may not experience side effects from Rabeprazole at all, and those that do may notice that the side effects lessen or disappear as their bodies adjust to the medication.
With that in mind, the most common side effects of Rabeprazole include:
- Headaches
- Diarrhea
- Rashes
- Itchiness
- Dizziness
If any of these side effects of Rabeprazole become severe, be sure to let your practitioner know. They may be able to suggest alternative acid reflux treatments to Rabeprazole without interactions or side effects.
Rarely, there are some more seriously occurring side effects of Rabeprazole to watch for. Let your practitioner know immediately if you start to experience:
- Seizures
- Severe dizziness
- Abnormal or racing heartbeat
- Jitteriness
- Muscle weakness
- Jerking movements or shaking (also called tremors)
- New or worsening joint pain
- Muscle aches or cramping
- Spasms in your hands or feet
- Rashes on your cheeks or arms that worsen in sunlight
- Voice box spasms
- Fractures (a broken bone)
SIDE NOTE: Abruptly stopping PPI treatments after a long time may worsen existing side effects of Rabeprazole, as well as lead to a sudden increase in stomach acid production. If side effects are severe, please seek immediate in-person care. It’s important to let your practitioner know if you’re planning to stop taking your Rabeprazole prescription.
Some people shouldn’t use Rabeprazole, because interactions may occur that could cause negative side effects. These people include:
- Patients taking rilpivirine
- Patient under the age of 18
- Patients who are allergic to Rabeprazole or any of the other active ingredients in this treatment
In addition to these, there are some patients that should be extra cautious about using online Rabeprazole prescriptions. These people include those who:
- Have liver problems
- Are taking methotrexate
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Are breastfeed or planning to breastfeed
- Are due to have a Chromogranin A blood test soon
Be sure to let your practitioner know if any of these apply to you, prior to requesting an online prescription for Rabeprazole. They may be able to suggest an alternative to Rabeprazole without interactions or negative side effects.
Also, be sure to let your practitioner know before starting Rabeprazole dosages if you’re currently experiencing these symptoms:
- Heart palpitations (rapid heartbeat)
- Dizziness
- Twitching
- Spasms
- Seizures
- Muscle weakness
- Cramps
- Convulsions
These may be signs that you currently have low blood magnesium levels, which your practitioner may need to address, prior to providing you with Rabeprazole for GERD or acid reflux symptoms.
Is Rabeprazole Safe During Pregnancy?
The safety of Rabeprazole in pregnancy or during breastfeeding hasn’t been established by any studies at this point.
Because of this, it’s not recommended to use Rabeprazole in pregnancy. You should let your practitioner know before requesting an online Rabeprazole prescription in Canada, if you’re currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed.
They may be able to suggest an alternative medication to Rabeprazole without interactions, while still offering management solutions for stomach acid issues.
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