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RABEprazole (Monograph)

Brand name: AcipHex
Drug class: Proton-pump Inhibitors
- Antiulcer Agents
- Gastric Antisecretory Agents
- Acid-pump Inhibitors
VA class: GA900
Chemical name: 2-[[[4-(3-Methoxypropoxy)-3-methyl-2-pyridyl]methyl]sulfinyl]-benzimidazole sodium
Molecular formula: C18H20N3NaO3S
CAS number: 117976-90-6

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 5, 2024. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Acid- or proton-pump inhibitor; gastric antisecretory agent.

Uses for RABEprazole

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)

Short-term treatment of symptomatic GERD (e.g., heartburn) in patients without erosive esophagitis.

Short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis in patients with GERD.

Maintain healing and decrease recurrence of erosive esophagitis.

Duodenal Ulcer

Short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer.

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease. Used in conjunction with amoxicillin and clarithromycin (triple therapy).

Pathologic GI Hypersecretory Conditions

Long-term treatment of pathologic GI hypersecretory conditions (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

Crohn’s Disease-associated Ulcers

Some evidence for use of proton-pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole) for gastric acid suppressive therapy as an adjunct in the management of upper GI Crohn’s disease [off-label], including esophageal [off-label], gastroduodenal [off-label], and jejunoileal [off-label] disease.

RABEprazole Dosage and Administration

Administration

Oral Administration

Administer orally; may give without regard to meals, but manufacturer recommends administration after morning meal in patients with duodenal ulcer.

When used in combination with clarithromycin and amoxicillin for treatment of H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease, take all 3 drugs twice daily with morning and evening meals.

Swallow tablets intact; do not chew, crush, or split.

Antacids may be used concomitantly as needed for pain relief.

Dosage

Available as rabeprazole sodium; dosage expressed in terms of the salt.

Pediatric Patients

GERD
Symptomatic GERD
Oral

Adolescents ≥12 years of age: 20 mg once daily for up to 8 weeks.

Adults

GERD
GERD without Erosive Esophagitis
Oral

20 mg once daily for 4 weeks; may give additional 4 weeks if symptoms are not completely resolved.

Treatment of Erosive Esophagitis
Oral

20 mg once daily for 4–8 weeks. If not healed after 8 weeks, consider additional 8 weeks of therapy (up to 16 weeks for a single course).

Maintenance of Healing of Erosive Esophagitis
Oral

20 mg once daily. Chronic, lifelong therapy may be appropriate.

Duodenal Ulcer
Treatment of Active Duodenal Ulcer
Oral

20 mg once daily for up to 4 weeks; some patients may require additional therapy.

Helicobacter pylori Infection and Duodenal Ulcer Disease
Oral

Triple therapy: 20 mg twice daily for 7 days in conjunction with amoxicillin and clarithromycin.

Pathologic GI Hypersecretory Conditions (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome)
Oral

60 mg once daily. Dosages up to 100 mg once daily or 60 mg twice daily have been used. Divided doses may be required. Adjust dosage as needed, continue treatment as long as necessary. Has been used continuously for up to 1 year.

Cautions for RABEprazole

Contraindications

Warnings/Precautions

Gastric Malignancy

Response to rabeprazole does not preclude presence of occult gastric neoplasm.

Clostridium difficile Infection

Proton-pump inhibitors associated with possible increased (1.4–2.75 times) risk of Clostridium difficile infection, including C. difficile-associated diarrhea and colitis (CDAD; also known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis or pseudomembranous colitis). Many patients also had other risk factors for CDAD. May be severe; colectomy and, rarely, death reported.

Use the lowest effective dosage and shortest duration of therapy appropriate for the patient's clinical condition.

Consider CDAD if persistent diarrhea develops and manage accordingly; initiate supportive therapy (e.g., fluid and electrolyte management), anti-infective therapy directed against C. difficile (e.g., metronidazole, vancomycin), and surgical evaluation as clinically indicated.

Respiratory Effects

Administration of proton-pump inhibitors has been associated with an increased risk for developing certain infections (e.g., community-acquired pneumonia).

Bone Fracture

Several observational studies suggest that use of proton-pump inhibitors, particularly in high dosages (i.e., multiple daily doses) and/or for prolonged periods of time (i.e., ≥1 year), may be associated with increased risk of osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine. Magnitude of risk is unclear; causality not established. FDA is continuing to evaluate this safety concern.

Use the lowest effective dosage and shortest duration of therapy appropriate for the patient’s clinical condition.

Individuals at risk for osteoporosis-related fractures should receive an adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D; assess and manage these patients’ bone health according to current standards of care.

Hypomagnesemia

Hypomagnesemia, symptomatic and asymptomatic, reported rarely in patients receiving long-term therapy (≥3 months or, in most cases, >1 year) with proton-pump inhibitors, including rabeprazole. Serious adverse effects include tetany, seizures, tremors, carpopedal spasm, arrhythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia), and abnormal QT interval. Paresthesia, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, lethargy, fatigue, and unsteadiness may occur. Most patients required magnesium replacement and discontinuance of the proton-pump inhibitor. Hypomagnesemia resolved within 1 week (median) following discontinuance and recurred within 2 weeks (median) of rechallenge.

In patients expected to receive long-term proton-pump inhibitor therapy or in patients currently receiving digoxin or drugs that may cause hypomagnesemia (e.g., diuretics), consider measuring serum magnesium concentrations prior to initiation of prescription proton-pump inhibitor therapy and periodically thereafter.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Category B.

Lactation

Not known whether rabeprazole is distributed into milk; discontinue nursing or the drug.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy for short-term treatment of symptomatic GERD established in adolescents 12–16 years of age. Pharmacokinetic and adverse effect profiles similar to those in adults.

Safety and efficacy not established in children <12 years of age.

Geriatric Use

No substantial differences in safety or efficacy relative to younger adults, but increased sensitivity cannot be ruled out.

Hepatic Impairment

Use with caution in patients with severe impairment.

Common Adverse Effects

Pain, pharyngitis, flatulence, infection, constipation.

Drug Interactions

Metabolized in the liver, principally by CYP3A and 2C19 isoenzymes.

Drugs Metabolized by Cytochrome P-450 Enzymes

No clinically important interactions with some drugs that are metabolized by CYP isoenzymes under single dose conditions; effects of rabeprazole have not been studied under steady-state conditions.

Drugs that Cause Hypomagnesemia

Potential pharmacologic interaction (possible increased risk of hypomagnesemia). Consider monitoring magnesium concentrations prior to initiation of prescription proton-pump inhibitor therapy and periodically thereafter. (See Hypomagnesemia under Cautions.)

Specific Drugs

Drug

Interaction

Comments

Amoxicillin

Increased rabeprazole and 14-hydroxyclarithromycin AUC and plasma concentrations when administered with amoxicillin and clarithromycin

Not expected to result in toxicity

Antacids

No clinically important effects on rabeprazole pharmacokinetics

Atazanavir

Possible altered oral absorption of atazanavir, resulting in decreased plasma atazanavir concentrations; possible loss of virologic response

Manufacturer of rabeprazole states that concomitant administration with atazanavir is not recommended

Antiretroviral treatment-naive patients: If a proton-pump inhibitor is used concomitantly with atazanavir, administer ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (atazanavir 300 mg and ritonavir 100 mg once daily with food); administer the proton-pump inhibitor approximately 12 hours before ritonavir-boosted atazanavir

For treatment-naive patients, dosage of proton-pump inhibitor should not exceed omeprazole 20 mg daily (or equivalent)

Antiretroviral treatment-experienced patients: Concomitant use of proton-pump inhibitors with atazanavir not recommended

Clarithromycin

Increased rabeprazole and 14-hydroxyclarithromycin AUC and plasma concentrations when administered with amoxicillin and clarithromycin

Not expected to result in toxicity

Clopidogrel

Certain CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole, esomeprazole) reduce exposure to clopidogrel’s active metabolite and decrease platelet inhibitory effect; potentially may reduce clopidogrel’s clinical efficacy

Dexlansoprazole, lansoprazole, or pantoprazole had less effect on clopidogrel's antiplatelet activity than did omeprazole or esomeprazole

Assess risks and benefits of concomitant proton-pump inhibitor and clopidogrel use in individual patients

American College of Cardiology Foundation/American College of Gastroenterology/American Heart Association (ACCF/ACG/AHA) states that GI bleeding risk reduction with concomitant proton-pump inhibitor in patients with risk factors for GI bleeding (e.g., advanced age; concomitant use of warfarin, corticosteroids, or NSAIAs; H. pylori infection) may outweigh potential reduction in cardiovascular efficacy of antiplatelet treatment associated with a drug-drug interaction. In patients without such risk factors, ACCF/ACG/AHA states that risk/benefit balance may favor use of antiplatelet therapy without a proton-pump inhibitor.

If concomitant therapy with a proton-pump inhibitor and clopidogrel is deemed necessary, consider using an agent with little or no CYP2C19-inhibitory activity; alternatively, consider using a histamine H2-receptor antagonist (ranitidine, famotidine, nizatidine) but not cimetidine (also a potent CYP2C19 inhibitor)

Cyclosporine

Rabeprazole inhibited cyclosporine metabolism in vitro

Diazepam

No pharmacokinetic interaction observed after single doses

Digoxin

Hypomagnesemia (e.g., resulting from long-term use of proton-pump inhibitors) sensitizes the myocardium to digoxin and, thus, may increase risk of digoxin-induced cardiotoxic effects

See table entry for gastric pH-dependent drugs

Consider monitoring magnesium concentrations prior to initiation of prescription proton-pump inhibitor therapy and periodically thereafter

Diuretics (i.e., loop or thiazide diuretics)

Possible increased risk of hypomagnesemia

Consider monitoring magnesium concentrations prior to initiation of prescription proton-pump inhibitor therapy and periodically thereafter

Fosamprenavir

Use of esomeprazole with fosamprenavir (with or without ritonavir) did not substantially affect concentrations of amprenavir (active metabolite of fosamprenavir)

No dosage adjustment required when proton-pump inhibitors used with fosamprenavir (with or without ritonavir)

Gastric pH-dependent drugs (e.g., digoxin, ketoconazole)

Rabeprazole may alter drug absorption

Monitor if used concomitantly

Lopinavir

Lopinavir/ritonavir: Omeprazole had no clinically important effect on plasma concentrations or AUC of lopinavir

No dosage adjustment required when proton-pump inhibitors used with lopinavir/ritonavir

Methotrexate (high-dose)

Possible delayed clearance and increased serum concentrations of methotrexate and/or its metabolite hydroxymethotrexate; possible methotrexate toxicity

Reported mainly with high-dose methotrexate (300 mg/m2 to 12 g/m2), but also reported with low dosages (e.g., 15 mg per week)

Manufacturer of rabeprazole recommends considering temporary discontinuance of proton-pump inhibitor therapy in some patients receiving high-dose methotrexate

Some clinicians recommend withholding the proton-pump inhibitor for several days before and after administration of either high-dose or low-dose methotrexate or, alternatively, substituting a histamine H2-receptor antagonist for the proton-pump inhibitor

Phenytoin

No pharmacokinetic interaction observed after single doses

Raltegravir

Omeprazole increased peak plasma concentration and AUC of raltegravir

No dosage adjustment recommended when proton-pump inhibitors used with raltegravir

Rilpivirine

Omeprazole decreased plasma concentrations and AUC of rilpivirine

Concomitant use of rilpivirine and proton-pump inhibitors contraindicated

Saquinavir

Ritonavir-boosted saquinavir: Omeprazole increased peak plasma concentration and AUC of saquinavir

Caution advised if proton-pump inhibitor used with ritonavir-boosted saquinavir; monitor for saquinavir toxicity

Sucralfate

Possible delayed proton-pump inhibitor absorption and decreased bioavailability

Administer proton-pump inhibitor at least 30 minutes before sucralfate

Theophylline

No pharmacokinetic interaction observed after single doses

Warfarin

Potential for increased INR and PT

Monitor PT and INR

RABEprazole Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Absolute bioavailability with 20 mg dose is about 52%. Repeated dosing does not affect pharmacokinetics.

Onset

Within 1 hour. Median inhibition of 24-hour gastric acidity is 88% of maximum after first dose.

Food

High-fat meal may delay absorption but does not affect extent.

Special Populations

AUC increased 50–60% in Japanese males receiving a different rabeprazole formulation.

AUC doubled in patients with mild to moderate compensated cirrhosis. Peak plasma concentrations and AUCs increased 20% in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment.

In geriatric patients, peak plasma concentration increased by 60% and AUCs doubled.

Distribution

Extent

Not known whether rabeprazole crosses the placenta or is distributed into milk.

Prolonged binding to gastric parietal proton pump enzyme.

Plasma Protein Binding

Approximately 96%.

Elimination

Metabolism

Metabolized in the liver, principally by CYP3A and CYP2C19. Principal thioether and sulphone metabolites found in plasma are inactive.

Elimination Route

Excreted as metabolites in urine (90%); remainder in feces.

Half-life

1–2 hours.

Special Populations

In patients with mild to moderate compensated cirrhosis, elimination half-life was 2–3 times greater, and clearance decreased to less than one-half.

In patients with poor CYP2C19 metabolizer phenotype, metabolism is slower than in those with extensive (or rapid) metabolizer phenotype.

Stability

Storage

Oral

Tablets

25°C (may be exposed to 15–30°C). Protect from moisture.

Actions

Advice to Patients

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

RABEprazole Sodium

Routes

Dosage Forms

Strengths

Brand Names

Manufacturer

Oral

Tablets, delayed-release (enteric-coated)

20 mg

AcipHex

Eisai (also promoted by Janssen [formerly Ortho-McNeil-Janssen])

AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2024, Selected Revisions February 15, 2013. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

† Off-label: Use is not currently included in the labeling approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

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