Rabeprazole

Rabeprazole is used to treat various conditions of the gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) tract including:

• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (a condition where the acid from the stomach goes back up the food tube and throat, causing pain and a burning sensation known as heartburn)
• Ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract (treatment and prevention)   

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• Tablets should be swallowed whole (not chewed or crushed) with water.
• You may take this medication with or without food.

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Skip the dose if it is too near to your next dose. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies
• You experience weight loss for no reason or are vomiting food or blood as this medication may hide the symptoms of other diseases
• You have watery or bloody stools that do not stop after a few days as this medication may increase your risk of diarrhoea caused by a type of bacteria called Clostridium difficile
• You have osteoporosis, a condition where your bones become weak or fragile, as his medication may increase your risk of bone fractures

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.

This includes certain medications such as:

• Medications used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Anti-fungal medications (e.g. ketoconazole)
• Other medications such as digoxin and methotrexate

Common side effects include headache, dizziness, difficulties sleeping, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, passing gas, cough, sore throat, runny nose or non-specific back pain.

Consult your healthcare professional if the symptoms do not go away or when any unexplained or unusual symptoms occur.

Rare but serious side effects include:

• Blood in your stool (including blackened stool) or vomit
• Unusual symptoms such as muscle spasms (uncontrollable muscle movements), palpitations, dizziness and seizures may be a sign of low magnesium in the body.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

• Keep away from children
• Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.