Aciphex MedFacts

Aciphex

Aciphex is used for:

Treating heartburn or irritation of the esophagus caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It may be used for short-term treatment of ulcers of the small intestine. It may be used with certain antibiotics to treat ulcers of the small intestines and to help prevent them from coming back. It may be used to treat conditions that cause your body to make too much stomach acid (eg, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Aciphex is a proton pump inhibitor. It works by decreasing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Do NOT use Aciphex if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Aciphex or to similar medicines (eg, omeprazole)
• you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, atazanavir)

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Aciphex

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Aciphex . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the medical conditions below applies to you:

• if you are either pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any medicine (either prescription or nonprescription), herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver problems or stomach or bowel cancer

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Aciphex . Inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, in particular any from the list below:

• Clarithromycin or voriconazole because they may increase the risk of Aciphex 's side effects
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), cyclosporine, or digoxin because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Aciphex
• Azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir), or iron because their effectiveness may be decreased by Aciphex

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Clarify with your health care provider whether Aciphex may interact with other medicines you take. Also, consult your health care provider in advance if you are going to start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Aciphex Usage Guidelines

You should use Aciphex as recommended by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• Take Aciphex by mouth with or without food.
• Swallow Aciphex whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• You may take antacids while you are taking Aciphex if you are directed to do so by your doctor.
• If you also take an imidazole antifungal (eg, ketoconazole), take it at least 2 hours before taking Aciphex .
• If you also take sucralfate, take Aciphex at least 30 minutes before taking sucralfate.
• Continue to take Aciphex even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Aciphex , take it as soon as you get it remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, ignore the missed one and get back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Clarify with your health care provider any issues you may have about usage of Aciphex .

Important safety information on aciphex

• Aciphex may cause drowsiness or dizziness. There effects may be worsened when this medicine is taken with aclohol or other medicines. Use Aciphex with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Contact your doctor if you have any symptoms of a bleeding ulcer, such as black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; or if you experience throat pain, chest pain, severe stomach pain, or trouble swallowing.
• Aciphex may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Aciphex .
• Aciphex should be used with extreme caution in Asian patients; the risk of side effects may be increased in these patients.
• Aciphex should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Aciphex while you are pregnant. It is not known if Aciphex is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Aciphex .

Side effects may be caused by Aciphex

Any medicine may cause side effects, but the majority of people have either slight side effects, or dont have it at all. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Headache.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent stomach pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; vision changes.

It sholud be noted, that this is not a full list of possible side effects. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Aciphex storage instructions:

Store Aciphex at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Aciphex out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions on Aciphex , please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
• Aciphex is supposed to be used only by the patient it is prescribed to. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or even become worse, inform your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Aciphex . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.