Rabeprazole

Rabeprazole is an antiulcer drug in the class of proton pump inhibitors. It was developed by Eisai Co. and is marketed by Janssen-Cilag as rabeprazole sodium under the brand names AcipHex (, referring to pH) in the US and Pariet in Britain, Italy, Greece, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, and Russia. It is sold as RAZO in India (Dr. Reddy's: Farhaad)

Indications and usage
Short-term treatment in healing and symptomatic relief of duodenal ulcers and erosive or ulcerative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); maintaining healing and reducing relapse rates of heartburn symptoms in patients with GERD; treatment of daytime and nighttime heartburn and other symptoms associated with GERD; long-term treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and in combination with amoxicillin and clarithromycin to eradicate Helicobacter pylori.


 * Gastric ulcer
 * Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
 * Maintenance of healing of erosive or ulcerative GERD
 * Healing of erosive and ulcerative GERD
 * Healing of duodenal ulcers.
 * Treatment of symptomatic GERD
 * Treatment of pathological hypersecretory conditions (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)
 * Helicobacter pylori eradication to reduce risk of duodenal ulcer recurrence

Contraindications

 * hypersensitivity to rabeprazole, substituted benzimidazoles or any of components of its pharmaceutical forms.
 * pregnancy: FDA Pregnancy Ratings: B
 * lactation: Thomson Lactation Ratings: Infant risk cannot be ruled out.

Restriction of usage

 * acute hepatic failure
 * pediatric use in patients under 18 years of age (there are insufficient data about safety and efficiency of rabeprazole in this group of patients)

Side effects
Rabeprazole adverse reactions/side effects include:
 * In clinical trials the most common side effect assessed as possibly or probably related to AcipHex was headache in 2.4% of patients vs 1.6% taking placebo.
 * diarrhea
 * vomiting
 * nausea
 * abdominal pains
 * constipation
 * meteorism
 * dry mouth
 * increased or decreased appetite
 * asthenia
 * headache
 * anxiety
 * sleeplessness
 * vertigo
 * thrombocytopenia
 * granulocytopenia
 * leukocytopenia
 * skin eruption
 * erythema
 * myalgia
 * arthralgia
 * muscle or bone pain

Drug interactions
Rabeprazole decreases the concentration of ketoconazole in the plasma (in 33%), increases the concentration of digoxin (in 22%), and does not interact with liquid antacids. Rabeprazole is compatible with any medicine metabolized by the CYP450 (theophylline, warfarin, diazepam, phenytoin).

Overdosage
There is no available data on symptoms of rabeprazole overdose.

Formulations and brand names
Rabeprazole as "Elpizole" (Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals), "Elpizole -20" (Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals) Rablet (Lupin), AcipHex, Rabeloc, Pariet is supplied in:
 * Tablet, enteric-coated; 10 mg
 * Tablet, enteric-coated; 20 mg

Rabeprazole is sold under the brand names Razo (DRL: Farhaad),Esoon, Parit,Rabium and Rablet in India, and Zechin in Pakistan. In the Indian rural market Rabiloz is being marketed by Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.