Rabeprazole sodium is a prescription medication used to treat certain digestive conditions. It is more commonly known by the brand name AcipHex. The drug is a proton-pump inhibitor that blocks enzymes responsible for stomach acid production, according to the National Institutes of Health. The most commonly reported side effect of the drug is headaches, which affect about 2 percent of users, according to Drugs.com. Proper dosage depends on the condition being treated. Always carefully follow label directions when using prescription drugs.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
One use for rabeprazole sodium is for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. People with GERD can take rabeprazole sodium to heal erosion in the stomach and esophagus that is caused by the condition, according to RXList. Treatment takes between four and eight weeks, but patients can continue taking the drug if problems persist after an eight-week period. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe rabeprazole sodium to prevent a relapse of GERD symptoms or to treat heartburn and other bothersome symptoms associated with the conditions.
H. Pylori Infection
Another approved use for rabeprazole sodium is to treat Helicobacter pylori infections, which cause recurrent stomach ulcers. When used to treat H. pylori, rabeprazole sodium is typically prescribed in conjunction with antibiotics such as amoxicillin that can kill the infection-causing bacteria, according to Drugs.com.
Duodenal Ulcers
People with duodenal ulcers can also use rabeprazole sodium as a drug treatment for the condition. In these patients, the drug can be used for periods of up to four weeks to aid in healing the ulcers as well as relieve bothersome symptoms, according to RXList.
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Rabeprazole sodium can also treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a rare condition classified as a pathological hypersecretory condition that causes tumors in the pancreas and/or duodenum, according to the National Digestive Disorders Information Clearinghouse. When these tumors form, the stomach increases acid production, in turn causing ulcers. The use of rabeprazole sodium in these patients can limit acid production.
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