Aciphex

Aciphex is an antisecretory medication used in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. It contains the drug rabeprazole sodium. It belongs to the group of peptic ulcer medications called proton pump inhibitors. H+, K+-ATPase is called the proton pump. It helps in the secretion of acid from the stomach glands.

The PPIs decrease gastric acid secretion through inhibition of H+, K+-ATPase. There are five PPI approved by FDA for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease and aciphex which contains rabeprazole sodium is one of them. It was developed by Eisai Co. and is marketed by Janssen-Cilag.

Composition

Aciphex contains Rabeprazole sodium. It is available as film coated tablet. Each tablet contains 20 mg of rabeprazole sodium.

Indications

Aciphex is prescribed in patients in whom there is increased secretion of acid in the stomach. The various conditions which are associated with hyperacidity are:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Duodenal ulcer

Other indications include:

• Gastric ulcer
• Maintenance therapy for GERD
• Zollinger Ellison Syndrome
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia
• Systemic mastocytosis

Dosage

Aciphex should be swallowed intact with water. The dosage recommendation for adults is:

• For relief of GERD - One 20 mg taken once daily for 4-8 weeks. For those who have not healed after 8 weeks of treatment an additional 8 week course may be considered.
• For maintenance treatment of GERD - One 20 mg tablet to be taken once daily
• Treatment of daytime and nighttime heartburn of GERD - One 20 mg tablet to be taken once daily for 4 weeks. If symptoms do not resolve completely after 4 weeks, an additional course of treatment may be considered.
• Healing of duodenal ulcer - One 20 mg tablet to be taken once daily after the morning meal for a period of 4 weeks. A few patients may require additional course of treatment to achieve healing.
• For treating Helicobacter pylori infection which is associated with peptic ulcer - 20 mg tablet should be taken once daily along with 1000 mg of amoxycillin in two divided doses and 500 mg of clarithromycin in two divided dosease for 10 days.

Contraindications

Aciphex (rabeprazole sodium) should be avoided:

• If the patient is allergic to rabeprazole
• During pregnancy
• During lactation
• Acute liver failure

Precautions

Since this medication contains sodium, precaution should be taken in patients who are on salt restricted diet like those with heart failure. Patients who are already on blood thinning agent warfarin should be careful while taking aciphex as it may cause bleeding. The safety of this medication in pregnant women is not proved and hence it is not recommended for pregnant women.

Side effects

Aciphex (rabeprazole sodium) is generally well tolerated. The reported side effects of this medication are:

• Fever
• Allergic reactions
• Headache
• Palpitations
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Increased appetite
• Abnormal stools
• Weight gain/ weight loss
• Osteoporosis