Aciphex Side Effects

Generic name: rabeprazole

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 5, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Aciphex Side Effects associated with rabeprazole. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Aciphex.

Applies to rabeprazole: oral capsule delayed release, oral tablet enteric coated.

Common side effects of Aciphex

Some side effects of rabeprazole may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• change in taste

Less common

• body aches or pain
• congestion
• constipation
• diarrhea
• excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
• full feeling
• heartburn
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hands or feet
• passing gas
• runny nose
• sleepiness
• swollen joints
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• voice changes

Incidence not known

• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• inability to have or keep an erection
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

Serious side effects of Aciphex

Along with its needed effects, rabeprazole (the active ingredient contained in Aciphex) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rabeprazole:

Less common side effects

• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• chills
• cough
• dark urine
• dry mouth
• fever
• general feeling of tiredness and weakness
• hoarseness
• light-colored stools
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• painful or difficult urination
• rapid weight gain
• tingling of the hands or feet
• unusual weight gain or loss
• vomiting
• yellow eyes and skin

Rare side effects

• bloody urine
• continuing ulcers or sores in the mouth
• difficulty with breathing
• seizures
• sore throat
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

• back, leg, or stomach pains
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blood in the urine or stools
• bloody, black, or tarry stools
• change in consciousness
• chest tightness
• clay-colored stools
• cloudy urine
• confusion about identity, place, person, and time
• continuing nausea or vomiting
• difficulty with swallowing
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• fast heartbeat
• general body swelling
• greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
• headache
• high fever
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
• increase in the frequency of seizures
• joint pain
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• loss of appetite
• loss of consciousness
• mood or mental changes
• muscle cramps, pain, spasms, stiffness, or twitching
• muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
• no blood pressure
• no breathing
• no pulse
• nosebleeds
• numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or feet
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• seizures
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach cramps
• swollen glands
• trembling
• trouble breathing
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
• vomiting of blood

For healthcare professionals

Applies to rabeprazole: oral delayed release capsule, oral delayed release tablet, oral tablet extended release.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects are headache, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 21%), abdominal pain (up to 16%), vomiting (up to 14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Benign fundic gland polyps, constipation, flatulence, nausea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry mouth, dyspepsia, eructation
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Gastritis, stomatitis
• Frequency not reported: Microscopic colitis
• Postmarketing reports: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, non-specific pain, pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills, pyrexia/fever
• Postmarketing reports: Sudden death^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Cough, pharyngitis, rhinitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchitis, sinusitis
• Postmarketing reports: Dyspnea, interstitial pneumonia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, taste disturbance/perversion
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Somnolence
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hepatic encephalopathy
• Postmarketing reports: Coma, vertigo^[Ref]

Hepatic encephalopathy occurred in patients with underlying cirrhosis.^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Flu-like syndrome/ influenza-like illness, infection^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, myalgia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia, fracture of hip/wrist/spine, leg cramps
• Postmarketing reports: Bone fractures, rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythema
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bullous reactions, pruritus, sweating
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
• Frequency not reported: Facial swelling, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
• Postmarketing reports: fatal TEN, other drug eruptions, severe dermatological reactions, systemic lupus erythematosus, urticarial skin eruptions^[Ref]

Erythema and bullous reactions usually resolved after discontinuation.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nervousness
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Depression
• Frequency not reported: Confusion
• Postmarketing reports: Delirium, disorientation^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Peripheral edema
• Postmarketing reports: Hypotension^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased hepatic enzymes
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hepatitis, jaundice, serious hepatic dysfunction^[Ref]

Increased hepatic enzymes occurred in patients with underlying cirrhosis.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Leukocytosis, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia
• Postmarketing reports: Agranulocytosis, bicytopenia, blood dyscrasias, hemolytic anemia, increase in prothrombin time/INR, pancytopenia^[Ref]

Increased prothrombin time/INR occurred in patients taking warfarin concomitantly.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anorexia, weight gain
• Frequency not reported: Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B-12) deficiency, hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia
• Postmarketing reports: Hyperammonemia^[Ref]

Renal

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Interstitial nephritis^[Ref]

Ocular

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Visual disturbance
• Postmarketing reports: Blurred vision^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Frequency not reported: Gynecomastia
• Postmarketing reports: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) elevations^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypersensitivity
• Postmarketing reports: Acute systemic allergic reactions, anaphylaxis/anaphylactic reactions, angioedema, potential allergic reactions^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity reactions included facial swelling, hypotension, dyspnea, erythema, and bullous reactions; these reactions typically resolved after discontinuation.^[Ref]

Further information

Aciphex side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer