Rabemac (Rabeprazole 10mg)

Rabemac general information

What is Rabemac used for?

Rabemac tablets 10mg are used to treat conditions caused by gastric reflux, which is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus.  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), as this condition is known, causes symptoms like heartburn and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain), and can damage the oesophagus causing inflammation (oesophagitis).  Rabemac tablets 10mg are used to treat and prevent relapse of GORD.  Rabemac tablets 10mg also used to treat and prevent peptic ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers or damage to the stomach lining) and duodenum (duodenal ulcers or damage to the lining of the upper intestine); also gastric ulcers caused by use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).  Rabemac tablets 10mg are also used as combination therapy to treat gastric ulcers that are caused by infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, in conjunction with using antibiotics.  Rabemac 10 is also used to treat symptoms of acid-related dyspepsia that can be caused by eating high fat or acidic foods, or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in which increased levels of the hormone gastrin causes an excessive production of gastric acid.

How does Rabemac work?

Rabemac tablets 10mg (also known as Aciphex) contain rabeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that is used to treat conditions caused by excess gastric acid, by reducing the amount of gastric acid released into the stomach.  Stomach acid is needed for digestion of proteins in the diet and is made by the parietal cells of the stomach wall.  Gastric acid production is dependent on the action of the enzyme H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which is the proton pump responsible for pumping positive hydrogen ions out of the cells into the stomach; and this increases the acidity of the stomach contents.  Rabeprazole in Rabemac tablets 10mg inhibits the functioning of the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which prevents acid secretion by blocking the source of acid production.  This action of rabeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces the acid damage that can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and oesophagitis and relieves symptoms caused by excess gastric acid, like heartburn and dyspepsia.  By inhibiting gastric acid secretion Rabemac tablets 10mg also help prevent the formation of gastric (stomach) and duodenal (upper intestine) peptic ulcers and also helps ulcers and damage caused by gastric reflux to heal. 

What does Rabemac contain?

Rabemac tablets 10mg contains the active ingredient rabeprazole (10mg), which is a proton pump inhibitor that is used to treat conditions caused by excess gastric acid secretion.  

Treating gastric reflux with Rabemac

Rabemac tablets 10mg contain rabeprazole, which is used to treat conditions caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD).  Gastric reflux is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus (gullet), because the sphincter muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach that normally prevents backflow of stomach contents, does not function properly or is damaged.  Symptoms caused by gastric reflux include heartburn and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain), and damage to the oesophagus causing inflammation (oesophagitis).  Rabeprazole in Rabemac tablets 10mg reduces acid secretion by parietal cells of the stomach wall, by blocking the action of the enzyme H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which is responsible for acid production.  This action of rabeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces the acid damage that can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and oesophagitis, relieves symptoms caused by excess gastric acid like heartburn and dyspepsia; as well as helping damaged tissues caused by excess acid to heal.

Rabemac for peptic ulcers

Rabemac tablets 10mg contain the active ingredient rabeprazole, which is used to treat and prevent peptic ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers or damage to the stomach lining) and duodenum (duodenal ulcers or damage to the lining of the upper intestine), caused by excess secretion of gastric acid; also gastric ulcers caused by use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).  Rabemac tablets 10mg are also used as combination therapy to treat and prevent gastric ulcers that are caused by infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, in conjunction with using antibiotics.  Rabeprazole in Rabemac tablets 10mg reduces acid secretion by parietal cells of the stomach wall, by blocking the action of the enzyme H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which is responsible for acid production.  This action of rabeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces acid damage to the stomach wall and allows ulcers that have already developed to heal.

What are the side effects of Rabemac?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Rabemac tablets 10mg include infection, flu-like symptoms, asthenia (weakness), constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, wind (flatulence), headache, skin rash, dizziness, insomnia, dry mouth.

When should Rabemac not be used?

You should not use Rabemac tablets 10mg if you:

• are allergic to rabeprazole any other proton pump inhibitor or any ingredients in Rabemac
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease, without discussion with your doctor
• are taking medicines that interact with Rabemac including: the antifungals ketoconazole and itraconazole, the antiretroviral atazanavir, digoxin for heart failure

How should Rabemac be taken?

You should take your Rabemac 10mg with a glass of water at least one hour before a meal.  You should continue to take your Rabemac tablets 10mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually for a few weeks to 6 months, depending on the condition you are being treated for. 

How long should you take Rabemac?

You should continue to take your Rabemac tablets 10mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually for a few weeks to 6 months, depending on the condition you are being treated for. 

Missed dose of Rabemac

If you miss a dose of Rabemac tablets 10mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Rabemac be stored?

You should store your Rabemac tablets 10mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.