Drug Uses

Aciphex decreases the amount of acid produced in your stomach. Aciphex is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or heartburn), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.

How Taken

Aciphex is available for oral administration as delayed-release, enteric-coated tablets. The recommended adult oral dose is one Aciphex 20 mg delayed-release tablet to be taken once daily for four to eight weeks. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Do not break, chew, or split the tablets. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body.

Warnings/Precautions

Before taking Aciphex, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: ketoconazole (Nizoral), ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others), digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), or cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral). You may not be able to take Aciphex, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Aciphex. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Possible Side Effects

Serious side effects from Aciphex are rare. Stop taking Aciphex and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives) to Aciphex. Less serious side effects from Aciphex are also uncommon. Continue to take Aciphex and talk to your doctor if you experience headache; upset stomach or diarrhea; insomnia or nervousness; or a rash or itching. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Storage

Keep Aciphex out of the reach of children. Store Aciphex at room temperature (between 59°F and 86°F). Protect Aciphex from moisture.

Overdose

Symptoms of an Aciphex overdose are not known. Seek emergency medical attention.

More Information

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking Aciphex, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking Aciphex even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before your condition is fully treated.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.

Other info about Aciphex at Wikipedia.org and other resources:

Aciphex360 - About ACIPHEX
Aciphex360 - About Aciphex (Source: Modern Medicine)

FDA Warns on Fracture Risks With PPIs
The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to physicians and consumers that proton pump inhibitors may increase the risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures. The agency said that it is changing the labeling for prescription and over-the-counter versions of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reflect new safety information that is the result of a review of seven epidemiologic studies. Most of the observed risk was in people older than age 50 years and those who took high doses or used the drugs for more than a year. Prescription PPIs include esomeprazole (Nexium), dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid), lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), and rabeprazole (Aciphex). There are OTC versions of Prilosec, Zegerid, and Prevacid. (Source: Ob.Gyn. News)

Warning: Common acid-suppressing PPI drugs are over-used and have serious health risks
(NaturalNews) Have heartburn occasionally? Suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms? Mention your indigestion to a pharmacist and the odds are you'll be directed to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs that are now sold over the counter. Or, if you tell your doctor about your heartburn problems, you'll most likely be given a prescription for an even stronger dose of a PPI. These Big Pharma profit making drugs (which include Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, Aciphex and Protonix) are pushed for indigestion because they are supposedly stronger and faster acting than other older acid suppressing and acid neutralizing meds.But there are problems with these widely hyped drugs. According to a series of reports just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, not only are PPIs being...

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI): Class Labeling Change
Audience: Family Practice, consumers including Nexium, Dexilant, Prilosec, Zegerid, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex, Vimovo, Prilosec OTC, Zegerid OTC, and Prevacid 24HR   [Posted 05/25/2010] FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients of... (Source: Drugs.com - FDA MedWatch Alerts)

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