Aciphex

Aciphex tablet contains the active substance rabeprazole sodium. Aciphex belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors. They work by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Remember that Aciphex should not be chewed or crushed, but should be swallowed whole. Dosage and dosing schedule will depend on your condition.

Active duodenal ulcer and active benign gastric ulcer: The recommended oral dose for both active duodenal ulcer and active benign gastric ulcer is 20mg once daily in the morning.

Most patients with active duodenal ulcer heal within four weeks. Some patients may need a further four weeks of therapy to achieve healing. Most patients with active benign gastric ulcer heal within six weeks. However, even here a few patients may need additional six weeks of therapy to achieve healing.

Erosive or ulcerative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): The recommended oral dose for this condition is 20mg daily for four to eight weeks.

Long-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD Maintenance): For long-term treatment, Aciphex 20mg or 10mg given daily, depending on how the patient responds to treatment.

Symptomatic treatment of moderate to very severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: 10mg once daily in patients without esophagitis. If symptoms has not been achieved after 4 weeks, the patient should be further investigated. Since the symptoms subsided, reoccurring symptoms can be treated by the demand treatment, with the dose of 10mg once daily as needed.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: The recommended starting dose for adults is 60mg once daily. The dose may be titrated up to 120mg per day, tailored to the individual patient. Doses up to 100mg can be given once daily. For dose 120mg may be required in divided doses of 60mg 2 times daily. Treatment should continue as long as clinically indicated.

Aciphex is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to rabeprazole sodium or any of the other ingredients of the formulation. Aciphex is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.

Rabeprazole sodium gives heavy and prolonged inhibition of acid secretion in the stomach.

Interactions with substances whose absorption is pH dependent may occur. Co-administration of rabeprazole sodium with ketoconazole and itraconazole may result in a significant reduction in plasma levels of these agents. Some patients may need to be monitored to determine if dose adjustment is needed when ketoconazole and itraconazole are taken concomitantly with Aciphex.