Rabeprazole

The Basics

What is Rabeprazole?

Used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems, like as acid reflux and ulcers

Brand names for Rabeprazole

Aciphex

How Rabeprazole is classified

Anti-Ulcer Agents, Gastrointestinal Agents, Proton Pump Inhibitors

Rabeprazole During Pregnancy

Rabeprazole pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Rabeprazole while pregnant

There are no available human data on ACIPHEX use in pregnant women to inform the drug associated risk. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations are unknown. However, the background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2 to 4% and of miscarriage is 15 to 20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. No evidence of adverse developmental effects were seen in animal reproduction studies with rabeprazole administered during organogenesis at 13 and 8 times the human area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) at the recommended dose for GERD, in rats and rabbits, respectively . Changes in bone morphology were observed in offspring of rats treated with oral doses of a different PPI through most of pregnancy and lactation. When maternal administration was confined to gestation only, there were no effects on bone physeal morphology in the offspring at any age .

Taking Rabeprazole While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Rabeprazole?

Because no information is available on the use of rabeprazole during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Because no information is available on the use of rabeprazole during breastfeeding, an alternate drug may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant.

Possible effects of Rabeprazole on milk supply

A retrospective claims database study in the United States found that users of proton pump inhibitors had an increased risk of gynecomastia.[1]

The Spanish pharmacovigilance system found one case of a 90-year-old man who developed gynecomastia associated with rabeprazole reported during the time period of 1982 to 2006. The reaction occurred after 32 days of therapy and resolved after discontinuation of the drug.[2]

Possible alternatives to Rabeprazole

Cimetidine, Famotidine, Nizatidine, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Ranitidine, Sucralfate.