Get Informed: Aciphex
Active Ingredient(s)
Rabeprazole
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and duodenal ulcers. It works by reducing the production of acid in the stomach.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-21 4:36 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:52 PM
Other Names
- Aciphex
- Rabeprazole
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 19 Aug 1999
- Est US Patients*
- 2,973,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Aciphex or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Aciphex
There have been no alerts regarding Aciphex during the past year.
Aciphex Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Aciphex used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 17,400 patients that use Aciphex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Heartburn / GERD | 90% | 
|
| Hiatal Hernia | 3% | 
|
| Colon Polyp Prevention / Treatment | 2% |
|
| Gastritis | 2% |
|
| Other | 8% |
|
How well does Aciphex work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 17,400 users taking Aciphex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Aciphex outweigh the bad things.
- 25%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Aciphex.
Common Side Effects of Aciphex
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 17,400 users taking Aciphex (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
12% of patients experience side-effects on Aciphex
3% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Aciphex
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Chest Pain/Tightness
-
Anxiety
-
Abdominal Pain
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Headache
Global Patient Feedback for Aciphex (Rabeprazole) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I was given Aciphex because of the 2 inhalers I use. Supposedly they will give me heartburn/gerd. I have had no side effects from it and I assume it's doing it's job because I haven't had any heartburn problems.
42 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-05 23:33:35
Answer/Reply:
I love aciphex; like youI have had no side effects and no acid reflux.( 57 year old female)
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-05-16 23:36:44
Question/Comment:
i have taken Rabeflux tabs 4.5 years ago. Dosage is 3 tabs a day in 16 days before eating eating anything. still i am feeling very tiredness specially before meal, constipation, sometimes loose motion in stomuch, stomuch disorders like acidity, can not control hungryness. is this with the side effects of this drug? i feel so. Doctors does not agree with this matter. They feel its due to Psychological reasons like some mental tension or stress.
for valuable suggestions.
28 year old male
29 year old Male
Posted: 2009-04-16 06:01:55
Answer/Reply:
I, too, experienced increased hunger while taking aciphex
77 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 13:36:09
Question/Comment:
i have taken Rabeflux tabs 4.5 years ago. still i am feeling tiredness, constipation, stomuch disorders. is this with the side effects of this drug? i feel so.
for valuable suggestions
29 year old Male
Posted: 2009-04-16 05:50:04
Question/Comment:
I have tried many medications and Aciphex has been a blessing for me. I have Gerd, Ibs, ulcerative colitus and take Asacol and Diphenoylate with atropine. I also have to take coumadin for the rest of my life. I go for monthly INR/PT for the coumadin and every 6 months blood test creatine checked for using Aciphex.
I just finished chemo for who knows how long and still have had no problem. I would love not having to take any medication, but I know that is impossible. Which is only 17 pills a day at this time. Glad to be down from 29, waiting to go down more.
Wish it worked for everyone, tried 4 different kinds myself. I thought Protonix was the one too, but other problems occurred. Wish you well to everyone. Take care
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-01 22:25:06
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking Aciphex for over 1 year. I have tried just about EVERYTHING for Acid Reflux....over the counter...and Rx's....and this is the one with the LEAST side effects for me! I LOVE IT!!
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-16 02:40:59
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking aciphex for about a year now and love it. I am allergic to some of the others such as prilosec etc,,but aciphex is great tho my new insurance is fighting me about it,,again,,so I have to have the doc fill out some papers tomorrow to send to the insurance company to convince them to give it to me. I had the operation nissen fundoplication once in 2002 but looks like I have to have it again. I go tomorrow for a PH study,,,with my red blood cell cancer and just having a stent put in, I am on a lot of meds now,,Fibro too. I have 4 doc appointments this coming week so will be busy,,,Lori
61 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-26 18:22:03
Answer/Reply:
Aciphex is a remarkable drug which I have taken for a number of years. Since I am now on Medicare I can't use it as it isn't covered and I can't afford it. The other medications don't come close in terms of relief.
60 year old Female
61 year old Female
Posted: 2009-04-28 16:03:42
Question/Comment:
I have a hiatal hernia and GERD and after years of trying over-the-counter meds, was prescribed Aciphex. I call it my miracle pill. As long as I take the Aciphex I feel fine.
Prior to January, I had a lifetime approval for Aciphex. In January 2009, my insurance carrier re-evaluated my medical history. They decided I didn't need Aciphex, but could use over-the-counter meds. I filed an appeal and yesterday, I received a letter from BC/BS that my appeal had been denied. I don't know what I'll do for relief. Any ideas?
55 year old female
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-10 14:59:01
Answer/Reply:
I too have had my insurance company deny coverage of Aciphex several times over the years. What is required to get insurance coverage approval is for your doctor to contact your insurance company and tell them that he has prescribed other heartburn medications for you and that none of them work for YOU except Aciphex. He may have to disclose to them the names and dates of the other heartburn meds he prescribed in the past for you which did not work. Then, probably at least every 2 years, the insurance company will again require the doctor to go through the same process all over again with them. Once, after taking Aciphex for about 3 years, my insurance company actual required that my doctor have me use another heartburn med for one month to be sure that Aciphex was still the only med that would work for me. Of course, the other med did not work, so after that month, I contacted my doctor and notified him that the new med did not work and I would still need to take the Aciphex. The doctor then gave me a new prescription for Aciphex and then contacted my insurance company and gave them the update. After that conversation, they said they would cover the Aciphex. All is well for now, but as stated earlier, I expect we'll have to go through the procedure every couple of years at least. Like you, nothing works for me but Aciphex so I hope the above helps you with your insurance coverage of this drug.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-03-23 18:27:01
Answer/Reply:
have your doctor contac drug company that makes it.They have program as to where you can get it for free based on your income>It is rather expensive,but through the program I only pay 5.00 dollars for a months supply
40 year old Male
Posted: 2009-07-05 03:57:02
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Patient Comments about
Aciphex