Aciphex

Aciphex is the brand name of rabeprazole, a potent inhibitor of acid secretion which is prescribed to prevent heartburn and treat conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease and ulcers. It is also used with antibiotics to treat certain gastric infections.¹ In the United States, Aciphex is only available with a prescription, since the Food and Drug Administration approved it on August 19, 1999.²

Fast Facts

1. Generic name: Rabeprazole
2. Developer: Eisai Company
3. Marketer: Janssen-Cilag
4. FDA approved: August 19, 1999
5. Drug Class: Proton pump inhibitor
6. Availability: Prescription only
7. Route: Oral

Mechanism of Action

Aciphex blocks the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme, which in the gastric parietal cell, normally pumps protons (H+) into the stomach. Consequently, the H+ are not pumped into the stomach and do not combine with Cl- to make hydrochloric acid (HCl).²

Uses

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Ulcers¹
• Helicobacter pylori infections
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome¹
• Barrett's Esophagus

Common Side Effects

• Headache¹
• Nausea¹
• Diarrhea¹
• Abdominal pain¹
• Fatigue¹
• Dizziness¹

Interactions

May interact with

• Atazanavir¹
• Clopidogrel¹
• Dasatinib¹
• Erlotinib¹

Manufacturer

Eisai Co., Ltd. is the manufacturer of rabeprazole.³ It is one of the 25 largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in the world, and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.³ Over 1/10th of Eisai employees are in research. Another drug Eisai developed is donepezil(brand name Aricept).

Disclaimer

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before taking Aciphex.

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