Rabeprazole: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Rabeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that reduces stomach acid and is used for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, including heartburn and acid-related damage to the oesophagus. It can help relieve reflux symptoms and maintain healing after erosive or ulcerative disease has improved. Rabeprazole requires a prescription in the United Kingdom and is available as a generic medicine.

Rabeprazole treats gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, where stomach contents flow back into the oesophagus and cause symptoms such as daytime or night-time heartburn. In adults, its indications include healing erosive or ulcerative damage to the oesophagus, relieving symptoms and maintaining healing. It is also used to heal duodenal ulcers, which affect the first part of the small intestine.

Combined with amoxicillin and clarithromycin, it treats Helicobacter pylori infection in adults with duodenal ulcer disease, reducing the risk of ulcers returning. Rabeprazole also treats conditions that cause excessive stomach acid production, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In adolescents aged 12 years and older, it is indicated for short-term treatment of symptomatic reflux disease.

Rabeprazole belongs to the proton pump inhibitor class. These medicines act on acid-producing cells in the stomach, blocking the enzyme system known as the proton pump that performs the final step in acid production. This reduces the amount of acid released into the stomach.

Lower acidity can reduce irritation when stomach contents reflux into the oesophagus and allows acid-damaged tissue in the oesophagus or duodenum to heal. When used with antibiotics for Helicobacter pylori infection, rabeprazole provides acid suppression while the antibiotics act against the bacteria.

The label lists 20 mg delayed-release oral tablets. The label lists 20 mg once daily for adult erosive or ulcerative reflux disease for 4 to 8 weeks, and for maintenance of healing. The label lists 20 mg once daily for adult symptomatic reflux disease for up to 4 weeks.

The label lists 20 mg once daily after the morning meal for duodenal ulcers for up to 4 weeks. The label lists rabeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1,000 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg, all twice daily with morning and evening meals for 7 days, for Helicobacter pylori eradication. The usual starting dose is 60 mg once daily for pathological acid hypersecretion, with subsequent adjustment according to patient needs.

The label lists 20 mg once daily for symptomatic reflux in adolescents aged 12 years and older for up to 8 weeks. The tablets are intended to remain whole, rather than being chewed, crushed or split.

A missed dose is generally used as soon as it is remembered, unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that situation, the missed dose is omitted and the normal schedule resumes. Doses should not be doubled or used together to make up for a missed dose.

There are no available human pregnancy data to establish the risk associated with rabeprazole. Animal studies during organ development showed no evidence of adverse developmental effects, although reduced offspring weight gain occurred with exposure during late pregnancy and lactation.

Human lactation studies have not assessed milk levels, effects on breastfed infants or milk production; rabeprazole is present in rat milk. Decisions about breastfeeding should consider its benefits, the mother's clinical need and potential effects on the infant.

The label specifies storage at 25°C, with excursions permitted to 15 to 30°C. Protect the tablets from moisture to maintain quality and follow the storage directions on the dispensing pack.