Rabeprazole reduces the acid the stomach makes. It treats acidity, reflux and ulcers, and works in the same way as omeprazole and pantoprazole.
- Generic name
- Rabeprazole sodium
- Active ingredient
- Rabeprazole sodium
- Common brands in India
- Razo, Rabekind, Rabium, Veloz, Happi
- Available as
- Tablet, Capsule (often combined with domperidone)
- Common strengths
- 10 mg, 20 mg
- How it is sold
- Commonly available without a prescription
No dosage information on this page
The correct dose depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other medicines and medical history. Follow the dose your doctor prescribed, or the instructions on the pack. Never copy a dose from a website or from someone else's prescription.
What Rabeprazole is used for
- Acidity and heartburn
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Stomach and duodenal ulcers
- Part of combination treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection
- Protecting the stomach in people who need long-term anti-inflammatory painkillers
How it works
Rabeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor, the same family as omeprazole and pantoprazole. It switches off the acid pumps in the stomach lining, so less acid is produced and irritated tissue gets a chance to heal.
How to take Rabeprazole
- Take it 30 to 60 minutes before a meal, usually before breakfast. Taken after food it works considerably less well.
- Swallow the tablet whole — do not crush or chew it.
- Take it every day for the course your doctor set, rather than only on days when you feel acidity.
- If you have been given a combination with domperidone, the same before-food timing applies.
Precautions
- It is meant for a defined course, not indefinite daily use. If you have been taking it for months, ask your doctor whether you still need it.
- Long-term use can affect vitamin B12, magnesium and bone strength, so these may need checking.
- Tell your doctor about all your other medicines and about any liver problem.
- Persistent acidity that keeps coming back when you stop deserves investigation rather than an indefinite prescription.
Common side effects
Not everyone gets side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these are troublesome or do not settle.
- Headache
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Gas and bloating
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
Important warnings
- It relieves symptoms, which can hide a more serious problem underneath. Long-term self-medication is not safe.
- See a doctor promptly for difficulty or pain on swallowing, vomiting blood, black tarry stools, or unexplained weight loss. These need investigation, not stronger acidity tablets.
- Chest pain should never be assumed to be acidity. If it comes with sweating, breathlessness, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw, treat it as a possible heart problem and get emergency help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between rabeprazole, omeprazole and pantoprazole?
All three are proton pump inhibitors and reduce stomach acid the same way. They differ slightly in how quickly they act and in which other medicines they interact with. There is no clear winner for most people — which one suits you depends on the rest of your prescription, and that is your doctor's call.
Should rabeprazole be taken before or after food?
Before food, usually 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. It acts on the acid pumps as they switch on with a meal, so taking it afterwards substantially reduces the effect.
Can I take rabeprazole every day for months?
Only if a doctor has advised it and reviews it periodically. Extended use is linked to lower vitamin B12 and magnesium and to bone thinning, and it can mask something that should be investigated.
What are the side effects of rabeprazole?
Headache, diarrhoea or constipation, gas, bloating, nausea and stomach pain are the common ones. As with the rest of this group, the greater concern is uninterrupted use over months rather than a defined course.
What this costs, and what is free
Commonly available free at government hospitals and health and wellness centres when prescribed there.
Generic versions are sold at Jan Aushadhi Kendras at substantially lower prices than branded packs of the same medicine.
The same molecule is sold under many brand names at very different prices. Ask your doctor to write the generic name, and compare at a Jan Aushadhi Kendra — the saving on a medicine taken daily is often substantial over a year. You can look up any medicine's official ceiling price on NPPA's Pharma Sahi Daam app.
Source: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
Prices and scheme rules change. Confirm current details with the hospital or Kendra before you rely on them.
Looking for Rabeprazole locally?Aswini Medicals is a pharmacy that stocks everyday medicines and can advise on availability.
Visit Aswini Medicals