Aciphex Information
ACIPHEX has a well-established safety record. The most common side effect possibly related to ACIPHEX is headache. Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions. Patients also on warfarin (such as Coumadin®) may need to be monitored more closely by their doctor
Before taking any prescription medication, you should learn as much as possible about the product. Following are the questions people most frequently ask about Aciphex® (rabeprazole sodium)
and how it treats heartburn and the other symptoms of erosive GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
What is Aciphex and how does it work?
What is erosive GERD?
What causes erosive GERD?
How does Aciphex differ from the other medications I have taken for heartburn pain due to erosive GERD?
Can Aciphex be taken safely with my other medications?
Who should not take Aciphex?
Can I take Aciphex during pregnancy?
Can I take Aciphex if I am a nursing mother?
Can Aciphex be used by children?
How should I take Aciphex?
I have difficulty swallowing pills. Can I crush the tablet?
What are the possible side effects of Aciphex?
How should I store Aciphex?
Do Aciphex tablets contain latex?
Do Aciphex tablets contain gluten?
Is there a patient assistance program for Aciphex?
Who can I talk to if I have other questions about Aciphex?
What is Aciphex and how does it work?
Aciphex belongs to a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which block the production of stomach acid.
Doctors prescribe Aciphex for patients with erosive GERD to:
- Relieve heartburn symptoms
- Achieve and maintain healing of erosive GERD
- Prevent heartburn symptom relapse
Doctors also prescribe Aciphex for the healing and relief of symptoms associated with a common form of ulcer known as duodenal ulcer and to treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) and other hypersecretory conditions.
Back to Top
What is erosive GERD?
Erosive GERD is a common disease of the digestive tract that affects millions of people. It occurs when stomach acid moves in the wrong direction, flowing back up (reflux) into your esophagus (the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach), causing discomfort and erosion to the esophagus. Unlike the occasional pain that mild heartburn sufferers experience, people with erosive GERD suffer more frequently from heartburn pain and discomfort.
Some patients with erosive GERD may also experience regurgitation, difficulty or pain in swallowing, wheezing or asthma, sore throat or hoarseness, tooth or gum decay, severe chest pain, and bloating or gas.
Back to Top
What causes erosive GERD?
Erosive GERD occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, damaging its lining. This may be because the valve that connects the esophagus and the stomach is weakened. This muscular valve is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, the LES opens to permit food or saliva to pass into the stomach and tightens when food is not present.
A weakened LES does not tighten all the way or opens too easily. This means stomach acid can escape from the stomach and move back up into the esophagus, causing a great deal of pain. The less acid you have in your stomach, the less likely you'll have heartburn pain.
Back to Top
How does Aciphex differ from the other medications I have taken for heartburn pain due to erosive GERD?
Aciphex belongs to a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which most effectively block the production of stomach acid and can provide effective healing and relief of the symptoms of erosive GERD, such as heartburn. PPIs are also commonly used for the treatment of duodenal ulcers and the long-term healing of erosive GERD and its symptoms.
Other types of medications used to treat heartburn pain due to erosive GERD include:
- Antacids
May relieve symptoms by temporarily neutralizing acid in your stomach. They are available without a prescription. - H2 blockers
In general, H2 blockers work less effectively than PPIs to reduce production of acid in the stomach. By reducing acid in your stomach, they reduce the amount of acid that can flow back up into your esophagus. H2 blockers are available by prescription, and without a prescription in lower doses.
Back to Top
Can Aciphex be taken safely with my other medications?
You should always tell your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and non-prescription medication you are taking when you are being prescribed any medication.
Some drugs, like ketoconazole and digoxin, may be affected by a change in the amount of acid in your stomach. Talk to your doctor if you are taking any of these medications.
Back to Top
Who should not take Aciphex?
Although serious allergic reactions to Aciphex are rare, the medication should not be used if you have had a reaction to Aciphex, any of the tablet ingredients, or another PPI (proton pump inhibitor).
Although it is not known whether Aciphex is excreted in human breast milk, many drugs are. Because of the potential for adverse reactions to nursing infants from Aciphex, a decision should be made to either discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions you have and any medications you are taking, so he or she can determine whether Aciphex is right for you.
Back to Top
Can I take Aciphex during pregnancy?
The safety and efficacy of Aciphex for use by pregnant women has not been established. Please speak with your doctor before using Aciphex or any other medication while pregnant.
Back to Top
Can I take Aciphex if I am a nursing mother?
If you are a nursing mother, please speak to your physician before using Aciphex or any other medication.
Back to Top
Can Aciphex be used by children?
The safety and efficacy of Aciphex for use by children have not been established. Please speak with your child's physician before administering Aciphex or any other medication to your child.
Back to Top
How should I take Aciphex?
As with other medications, take Aciphex exactly as your doctor prescribes it.
- Aciphex is a small, light-yellow tablet that should be swallowed whole. The tablets should not be chewed, crushed, or split.
- Never take more than the dose of Aciphex prescribed for you by your doctor.
- Always take your medication for as long as the doctor has prescribed it.
Back to Top
I have difficulty swallowing pills. Can I crush the tablet?
No. Aciphex is a small tablet and should be swallowed whole. Aciphex tablets should not be chewed, crushed, or split. The tablet is coated to ensure proper delivery of the medication.
Back to Top
What are the possible side effects of Aciphex?
Aciphex is generally safe and well-tolerated. In clinical studies of patients using Aciphex, headache was the most common side effect possibly related to the drug (2.4% vs. 1.6% for sugar pill). For more information about the safety profile of Aciphex and possible side effects, talk to your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist, or refer to the full product information.
Back to Top
How should I store Aciphex?
- Keep Aciphex out of the reach of children.
- Store Aciphex at room temperature (between 59°F and 86°F).
- Protect Aciphex from moisture.
Back to Top
Do Aciphex tablets contain latex?
No, Aciphex tablets do not contain latex. However, the manufacturer cannot guarantee against exposure of this product to latex during manufacturing or processing operations (for example, contact with latex gloves).
Back to Top
Do Aciphex tablets contain gluten?
No, Aciphex tablets do not contain gluten.
Back to Top
Is there a patient assistance program for Aciphex?
Yes, Eisai Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc. offer a patient assistance program for Aciphex. The program is for patients who meet certain financial criteria and would have difficulty paying for their treatment. For further information regarding the Aciphex Patient Assistance ProgramTM, or to reach a program representative, please call 1-800-523-5870.
Back to Top
Who can I talk to if I have other questions about Aciphex?
If you have more questions about Aciphex, please contact your physician or other healthcare providers.
Back to Top
Coumadin is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company.
Aciphex® is a registered trademark of Eisai Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.
© 2001 Eisai Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceutica Inc. This site originates in the United States.
|
