Rabeprazole

Rabeprazole is a prescription treatment that belongs to a class of medications called ‘proton pump inhibitors’ (PPIs). They work by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Rabeprazole can effectively treat:

• stomach or duodenal ulcers
• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) with symptoms of acid reflux
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a rare condition where too much gastric acid is produced)
• Helicobacter pylori infections (when combined with antibiotics)

Rabeprazole is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). You can buy Rabeprazole 10mg and 20mg tablets online from euroClinix if your doctor has prescribed this treatment for you.

Stomach acid is produced by specialised cells called parietal cells which can be found in the lining of your stomach. These cells have proton pumps located in their membrane.

We need stomach acid to help us break down and digest food, and to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present in the food we eat. However, too much stomach acid can lead to heartburn and stomach pain.

Rabeprazole sodium, the active ingredient in Rabeprazole, reduces the amount of acid your stomach produces, by blocking these proton pumps. In doing this, less stomach acid is produced, which prevents acid reflux and heartburn and provides symptomatic relief.

PPIs such as Rabeprazole are longer-lasting compared to other reflux remedies such as antacids as they reduce acid production at the source. In comparison, antacids only neutralise stomach acid that is already present, so are much shorter-acting.

These tablets are gastro-resistant. This means they have a special coating to protect them from being broken down by the acid in your stomach.

There are many benefits of taking Rabeprazole, including:

Benefits of Rabeprazole

Protects the stomach lining

It protects the stomach lining by reducing the amount of acid produced. This prevents damage caused by excess acid and promotes the healing of ulcers.

Convenient dosing schedule

Most patients only need to take one tablet daily, making it easy to incorporate into your daily routine.

Well tolerated

Rabeprazole is generally well-tolerated by most patients, and has a mild side effect profile.

Long-acting effects

A single dose of Rabeprazole lasts up to 24 hours, which means that it provides continuous acid suppression throughout the day and night.

Research has shown that Rabeprazole is an effective treatment for symptomatic GORD (acid reflux).

In one study 261 patients with moderately severe non-erosive GORD were randomised to take either Rabeprazole 20 mg or a placebo for 4 weeks. By week 4, complete heartburn relief was experienced by 32% of patients taking Rabeprazole, compared to only 3.8% of patients taking the placebo.

Rabeprazole also greatly improved other symptoms of GORD, such as regurgitation, burping, and early satiety (feeling full after only eating a small amount).

Rabeprazole can be purchased online from euroClinix if you have a prescription from your doctor.

Who can take this medicine?

Rabeprazole is recommended for adults who experience any of the following conditions:

• stomach or duodenal ulcers
• GORD
• heartburn
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
• H. pylori infections

Who cannot take this medicine?

Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to Rabeprazole or any of the other ingredients in this medication. You must also avoid this medicine if you are pregnant, or breastfeeding.

You should inform your doctor before using this medication if you:

• have an allergy to other proton pump inhibitors
• have severe liver problems or liver disease
• have kidney problems
• have a stomach tumour
• have previously had an adverse skin reaction to medicines that reduce stomach acid
• need to have an endoscopys
• have a vitamin B12 deficiency
• are due to have a Chromogranin A blood test

Proton pump inhibitors can increase the risk of hip, wrist and spine fractures, gut infections and vitamin B12 deficiency when taken for more than a year.

Inform your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids, as they may increase your risk of osteoporosis.

If you take this medicine for longer than a year, your doctor will monitor your health regularly to see if you should keep taking it.

Taking this medication for three months or longer may sometimes lead to low magnesium levels. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience fatigue, dizziness, confusion, muscle spasms, or a rapid heart rate.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

Please fill out your consultation accurately so that we can determine that this treatment is suitable for you.

Dosage

It is important that you take this medicine according to your doctor's instructions.

Rabeprazole is available from euroClinix as 10mg and 20mg tablets. One of our doctors will decide the exact dose and advise how long to take it depending on your condition and medical history. Find more information in the table below:

Please note that these dosages are general recommendations, and treatment should always be tailored based on your individual needs.

How and when to take it

This medicine is usually taken once a day, first thing in the morning. If your doctor has prescribed it twice daily, take 1 dose in the morning and 1 dose in the evening.

It's best to take Rabeprazole before a meal as it works by blocking stomach acid production, so taking it before food helps control acid before it spikes during eating.

How to take Rabeprazole

	If you are taking one tablet once a day, it should be taken in the morning before breakfast.
	If you take it twice daily, take 1 dose in the morning and 1 dose in the evening.
	Swallow whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew.

How long do I take it for?

The duration of treatment depends on the condition you are being treated for. A treatment course of Rabeprazole usually lasts between 4 to 8 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe a longer-term treatment if your symptoms return after you stop taking the medication.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, and usually take Rabeprazole once a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is due in less than 12 hours. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time

If you take this medicine twice a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless it’s 4 hours or less until your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

After taking a 20mg dose of Rabeprazole, it begins to reduce the stomach acid within one hour. The maximum effect occurs between two to four hours after taking the dose.

You should start to feel better within 2 to 3 days. However, it may take up to 4 weeks for this medicine to work fully. During this time you may still have some symptoms.

It’s important to make certain lifestyle changes to improve and prevent symptoms of heart burn and acid reflux.

Lifestyle guide for Rabeprazole users

Avoid food triggers

Foods that cause acid reflux are those that are high in fat, salt or spice. This includes foods such as fast food, processed snacks, chilli powder, tomato-based sauces, citrus fruits, chocolate, and carbonated drinks. Try to limit or avoid these.

Avoid eating large meals

Eating large meals can increase stomach pressure, leading to symptoms of acid reflux. Try eating smaller meals more frequently during the day and fill up on fibrous foods. Using smaller plates when eating may help.

Stay in shape

Excess body weight can put pressure on the stomach, increasing the risk of experiencing acid reflux. Exercising and eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you lose weight.

Reduce stress

Stress can contribute to heartburn, by increasing the amount of stomach acid produced. Manage stress by practising relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation.

Avoid tight clothing

Tight clothing around the waist can worsen acid reflux symptoms by increasing the pressure on your stomach. Try to wear loose-fitting clothes to reduce this pressure.

Avoid eating late at night as this may trigger heartburn symptoms. Try to stay upright for 2-3 hours after finishing meals to allow your food to properly digest.

Silvia Fonda Nutritionist

Every medication comes with the risk of side effects, although not everybody experiences them. The side effects of Rabeprazole are usually mild and improve with time. However, if the side effects do not resolve or worsen over time, please speak to your doctor.

Common side effects

Uncommon side effects

Rare side effects

This is not a complete list of adverse effects of Rabeprazole, for the full list please refer to the patient information leaflet.

Some of the common side effects of this medicine can be managed at home. Find some helpful tips on how to manage these below:

Trouble sleeping

Try to wind down by reading or listening to soothing music before bed. Make sure to limit screen time before sleeping, as the blue light from phones and computers can affect your sleep cycle.

Headaches and dizziness

Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water often during the day. Consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, but check with your doctor first.

If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down if needed. Make sure to rise up slowly when going from a sitting to standing position. Avoid making sudden movements and move slowly or take a break.

Nausea

Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day rather than eating 3 large meals. Make sure to stay upright after eating as lying down immediately after eating can worsen reflux and nausea.

Diarrhoea

Stay hydrated by drinking water or oral rehydration solutions to replace any lost fluids. Eat bland foods, like toast or crackers and avoid spicy, greasy or fatty foods.

Constipation

Eat fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and drink plenty of water. Exercise regularly and move your body to help stimulate digestion.

It’s important to inform your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, supplements, or natural health products. There are some medicines that may alter the effect of Rabeprazole or vice versa.

Rabeprazole may reduce the amount of the following medicines in your blood:

• Antifungals (e.g. ketoconazole or itraconazole)
• HIV medicines (e.g. atazanavir)
• Cancer medicines (e.g. dasatinib, gefitinib)

Rabeprazole may increase the amount of the following medicines in your blood:

• Cancer and immune system medicines (e.g. methotrexate - these levels may increase and cause toxicity, your doctor may temporarily stop Rabeprazole)
• Blood thinners (e.g. warfarin)

If you take medicines such as digoxin, or diuretics (water pills), which can lower magnesium levels, your doctors may check your magnesium levels before starting Rabeprazole. This can help to prevent magnesium deficiencies.

This is not a complete list of interactions. For a full list, please refer to the BNF interaction checker.

For more information, refer to the safety information table below:

Safety Tips

Pregnancy Consult your doctor

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor before taking Rabeprazole to discuss potential risks and benefits.

Breastfeeding Consult your doctor

If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using Rabeprazole, as it is unknown if the medication passes into breast milk.

Alcohol Caution

Limit alcohol intake while taking Rabeprazole, as alcohol can increase stomach acid production, potentially reducing the medication's effectiveness.

Driving Caution

Rabeprazole may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience these side effects.

Stomach cancer Consult your doctor

Rabeprazole may mask symptoms of stomach cancer. If you experience unintended weight loss, persistent vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or blood in stools, seek medical advice promptly.

Long-term use Caution

Long-term use of Rabeprazole may be associated with an increased risk of bone fractures. Discuss with your doctor if you have osteoporosis or risk factors for bone fractures.

How to store

Store this medicine in its original packaging to protect it from moisture and light. Do not store it above 30°C. Keep it out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the pack. Throw away any expired or unused medication by taking it to your nearest pharmacy. Do not throw medicines away in your household waste or flush them down the toilet, as this may harm the environment.

No. In the UK, Rabeprazole is not available over the counter. You can buy Rabeprazole online however, you will need to have already been prescribed this treatment by your GP. This is because your doctor will need to evaluate your symptoms and medical history to see if this medicine is suitable for you.

To buy acid reflux tablets, such as Rabeprazole online from euroClinix, follow these simple steps:

1. Complete a quick online consultation to check your eligibility.
2. UK-registered doctors review your responses to ensure the medication is right for you.
3. Upon approval, an e-prescription will be issued.
4. Enjoy free delivery from our licensed pharmacy with tracking details.

Your privacy is our top priority. euroClinix uses secure, encrypted transactions and complies with UK’s medical standards to keep your information confidential.

Start your online consultation today to enjoy professional care from the comfort of your home.

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• Experienced doctors manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• Online consultations, quick approvals, and discreet doorstep delivery add to the convenience.
• A supportive team is on hand to answer treatment-related questions or concerns.
• Patients can manage their prescriptions hassle-free through our secure platform.

Join thousands who trust euroClinix for their healthcare needs and take control of your health today.

The price of Rabeprazole at euroClinix includes everything you need:

• Free online consultation with our experienced doctors
• Free prescription, if approved
• Free delivery straight to your door

Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees. Order today and benefit from our complete, all-inclusive service.

If this medicine is not right for you, we have other options available to treat acid reflux. You can find these alternatives in the table below:

Speak to your doctor about which medication suits your needs based on onset of action, tolerability, or prescription requirements.

Talk to your doctor about which of these options best suits your needs.