Aciphex

Aciphex is a prescription medication used to treat digestive problems such as heartburn and acid reflux.  Aciphex belongs to a group of drugs called proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). It works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Aciphex comes in a delayed release tablet and is usually taken once a day.

Swallow Aciphex tablets whole. Do not chew, crush or split Aciphex tablets.

Common side effects of Aciphex include headache, sore throat, and constipation.

Aciphex is a prescription medicine used for the following conditions:

• heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• duodenal ulcers
• acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus
• H. pylori infections
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a condition in which the stomach makes too much acid)

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• A-S Medication Solutions LLC

• Bryant Ranch Prepack

• Cardinal Health, Inc.

• DispenseXpress, Inc.

• Dispensing Solutions, Inc.

• Eisai, Inc

• Lake Erie Medical & Surgical Supplies DBA Quality Care Products LLC

• Lake Erie Medical & Surgical Supply DBA Quality Care Produtcs LLC

• Nuline Pharmaceuticals, LLC

• Physicians Total Care, Inc.

• Quality Care Products, LLC

• Southwood Pharm., Inc.

• Stat Rx Usa Llc

Serious side effects have been reported with Aciphex. See the “Drug Precautions” section.

Common side effects with Aciphex include the following

• headache
• pain
• sore throat
• gas
• infection
• constipation

People who are taking multiple daily doses of proton pump inhibitor medicines for a long period of time may have an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine.

This is not a comple list of Aciphex side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you are taking or are planning to take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• atazanavir (Reyataz)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• warfarin (Coumadin)
• theophylline (THEO-24 Thelair)
• diazepam (Valium)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• antibiotics

Serious side effects have been reported with Aciphex including the following:

• serious allergic reactions. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
• rash
• face swelling
• throat tightness
• difficulty breathing
• low blood magnesium. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms:
  • seizures
  • dizziness
  • abnormal or fast heart beat
  • jitteriness
  • jerking movements or shaking (tremors)
  • muscle weakness
  • spasms of the hands and feet
  • cramps or muscle aches
  • spasm of the voice box

Your doctor may check the level of magnesium in your body before you start taking Aciphex, during treatment, or if you will be taking Aciphex for a long period of time.

• Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) associated diarrhea. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience any or all of the following symptoms:
• watery diarrhea (at least three bowel movements per day for two or more days)
• loss of appetite
• abdominal pain or tenderness
• nausea
• fever

Do not take Aciphex if you are:

• allergic to any of the ingredients in Aciphex
• allergic to other proton pump inhibitors
• less than 12 years of age

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Aciphex there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before you taking Aciphex, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• have any liver problems
• have any allergies
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. 

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Aciphex falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Aciphex. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Aciphex is excreted in human breast milk or if it can harm your nursing baby. Since many drugs can pass into breastmilk, and because of the possibility for serious reactions to infants from Aciphex, a decision should be made to stop nursing or the drug. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

• Take Aciphex exactly as prescribed.
• Do not change your dose or stop taking Aciphex unless you talk to your doctor. Take Aciphex for as long as it is prescribed even if you feel better.
• Continue to take this medication for as long as it is prescribed, even if you feel better.
• Aciphex is usually taken once a day.
• Your doctor will tell you the time of day to take Aciphex.
• Aciphex can be taken with or without food. 
• Swallow each Aciphex tablet whole with water.
• Do not chew, crush, or split Aciphex tablets because this will damage the tablet and the medicine will not work. Tell your doctor if you cannot swallow tablets whole. You may need a different medicine.
• If you miss a dose of Aciphex, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Take Aciphex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Your doctor will determine the right dose for you based on your medical condition.

The recommended dose for Aciphex is 20 mg once daily for 4 to 8 weeks. Your doctor will tell you how long to take Aciphex.

If you take too much Aciphex, call your doctor or local Poison Control Center right away, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Store Aciphex in a dry place at room temperature, 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).

Keep Aciphex and all medicines out of the reach of children.