Q. Can I take aluminum hydroxide and magnesium carbonate or other antacids with rabeprazole?
There are no clinically observed interactions when rabeprazole is taken with antacids. However, rabeprazole requires a lower pH for its action and antacids increase the pH of the stomach which could decrease the effect of rabeprazole. This interaction can be avoided by taking antacids two hours before or after taking rabeprazole. Also, rabeprazole may take a few days to show its effect, so you can take antacids during that time to help in your acidity and heartburn complaints.
Q. Is rabeprazole taken with an empty stomach?
Yes, rabeprazole should preferrably be taken in the morning empty stomach.
Q. Is rabeprazole an addictive?
No, rabeprazole has no addictive potential.
Q. Is rabeprazole safe?
Yes, rabeprazole is safe if taken for prescribed duration in prescribed doses as advised by your doctor. However, there are some very common side effects that you can experience at therapeutic doses like nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence.
Q. Does rabeprazole cause hair loss?
No, hair loss has not been reported as a side effect of rabeprazole. Talk to your doctor in case there is excessive hair fall as it could be due to some underlying problem that needs attention.
Q. Does rabeprazole cause flatulence (gas or bloating)?
Flatulence (gas) has been reported as a common side effect of rabeprazole. Although it would be mild to moderate in nature and transient.
Q. Does rabeprazole cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears)?
Tinnitus (ringing sensation in the ears) has not been seen as a side effect with the use of rabeprazole. Talk to your doctor in case you have this problem as it could be due to some underlying condition that needs attention.
Q. Does rabeprazole cause weight gain?
Weight gain has been reported as a rare side effect of rabeprazole. It can add to your problem of acidity and heartburn. So, try to do some exercise and make healthy changes in your diet to control your weight.
Q. Does rabeprazole expire?
Yes, like any other medicine, rabeprazole also expires. Always check the expiry date on the pack of the medicine before using it.
Q. Does rabeprazole cause constipation?
Constipation is a common side effect seen in patients using rabeprazole. Making healthy lifestyle changes like doing yoga, taking high fiber diet and plenty of fluids will prevent constipation.
Q. Does rabeprazole cause high blood pressure?
Rabeprazole is not reported to cause high blood pressure. In case you experience high blood pressure, talk to your doctor as it may need attention.
Q. Does rabeprazole cause headache?
Headache is reported as one of the common side effects of rabeprazole. Please consult your doctor in case you experience an intolerable headache for a prolonged duration while taking rabeprazole.
Q. Can I take rabeprazole with ranitidine?
Both rabeprazole and ranitidine lower the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Rabeprazole is seen to be more effective in resolving heartburn in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It rapidly heals stomach and duodenal ulcers and also prevents ulcers formation in patients who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, the effect of these medicines may vary from patient to patient.
Q. Can I take rabeprazole with ibuprofen?
Rabeprazole can be taken with ibuprofen. Rabeprazole is used to prevent painkiller (NSAIDs) induced gastritis and stomach ulcers by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach. There are no reported drug interactions or harmful effects when they are used together.
Q. Can I take rabeprazole with paracetamol?
Rabeprazole can be taken with paracetamol. Rabeprazole is used to prevent painkiller (NSAIDs) induced stomach ulcers by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach. There are no reported drug interactions or harmful effects when they are used together.
Q. How is rabeprazole metabolized?
Rabeprazole is metabolized in the liver mainly by microsomal CYP450 enzymes (CYP2C19 and CYP3A4). Patients with poor CYP2C19 enzymatic activity will have higher levels of rabeprazole for a long time and a better suppression of stomach acid.
Q. Can rabeprazole be used for the treatment of throat infection?
No, rabeprazole is not meant for throat infections. However, it may be given along with antibiotics and other drugs to protect the stomach from excessive acid secretion.
Q. Why is rabeprazole used with cinitapride for some conditions?
Cinitapride increases the movement of the gut and is useful in the treatment of conditions like heartburn, dyspepsia and is also useful in the treatment of reflux esophagitis. It has much better efficacy when it is used with rabeprazole.
Q. Does rabeprazole play any role in treating ulcerative colitis?
Rabeprazole does not have any role in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. However, it can be given if there is associated dyspepsia or increased stomach acid secretion. Talk to your doctor before taking any treatment for ulcerative colitis.
Q. Can rabeprazole be used for reflux esophagitis?
Yes, rabeprazole is effective in the treatment of reflux esophagitis. It is a disease in which stomach acid or bile irritates the lining of the food pipe, which may become inflamed. Rabeprazole decreases the production of acid in the stomach and can help in healing the inflamed and eroded esophagus.The efficacy is better when it is given in combination with a prokinetic agent like domperidone.
Q. Can rabeprazole be used for treating indigestion?
Yes, rabeprazole can be used for the treatment of indigestion.
Q. Is rabeprazole being used for treating weight loss?
No, rabeprazole is not used for the treatment of weight loss.
Q. Is there any role of rabeprazole in treating hiatus hernia?
A hiatus hernia is the bulging of the stomach into the chest through an esophageal opening in the diaphragm which is larger than the normal size. A hiatus hernia is associated with acidity and heartburn. Rabeprazole does not play any role in treating hiatus hernia, however, it can help in relieving the symptoms of acidity, heartburn and acid reflux.
Q. Is rabeprazole better than omeprazole?
Rabeprazole and omeprazole belong to the same class of medicines known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and work in the same way to decrease acid production in the stomach. However, few clinical studies have shown that rabeprazole provides better relief of the symptoms including the daytime pain of duodenal ulcers. The difference in response may also vary in different patients.
Q. Is rabeprazole better than pantoprazole?
Rabeprazole and pantoprazole belong to the same class of medicines known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and work in the same way to decrease acid production in the stomach. However, few clinical studies have shown that rabeprazole is more effective in decreasing acid secretion as compared to pantoprazole. The difference in response may also vary in different patients.
Q. Can rabeprazole be taken twice a day?
Yes, rabeprazole can be taken two times a day when used for the treatment of stomach ulcers caused by H. Pylori. It is given along with antibiotics and is to be taken for one week once in the morning and once in the evening. It is taken once a day for the treatment of heartburn, acidity, stomach and intestinal ulcers.
Q. Can I take rabeprazole with vitamin D?
Yes, vitamin D can be taken with rabeprazole. Vitamin D is generally advised to be taken as a supplement with rabeprazole as its long-term use decreases the absorption of calcium and cause calcium deficiency. This can lead to osteoporosis (thinning of bones) and increase the risk of bone fractures like hip wrist and spine fractures.
Q. Why are rabeprazole tablets enteric coated?
Rabeprazole gets absorbed in the small intestine, so it must reach there intact form for proper absorption. However, can be easily degraded by the stomach acid and does not reach the small intestine in intact form leading to decrease in its absorption. Enteric coating saves the tablet from stomach acid so that it can reach the small intestine in intact form.
Q. How is rabeprazole different from esomeprazole?
Rabeprazole and esomeprazole both belong to the same class of drugs and are used in disease conditions with excess acid production like heartburn, acidity, stomach ulcers and intestinal ulcers. Both work by decreasing acid production in the stomach and are seen to be almost equally effective and safe in many clinical research studies. However, the response may vary from patient to patient and depend on the dose.
Q. How is rabeprazole useful in the treatment of H. pylori?
Rabeprazole is used along with antibiotics for the treatment of H.Pylori infection. It works by decreasing gastric acid volume and increasing pH of the stomach. It also helps in increasing antibiotic concentration and tissue penetration as it decreases the breakdown and washout of antibiotics, increases their stability and absorption.
Q. Can I take rabeprazole with domperidone?
Rabeprazole can be safely taken with domperidone as no harmful effects have been reported clinically. A fixed dose combination of these two medicines is also available. Domperidone works by increasing the gut motility and rabeprazole decreases the acid production in the stomach. So, this combination is very effective in the treatment of reflux esophagitis associated with acidity, heartburn, intestinal and stomach ulcers.
