What Is Aciphex Used For?

Aciphex Uses: An Overview

 Aciphex^® (rabeprazole sodium) has been licensed to treat a number of conditions, which include:

 

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Erosive esophagitis
• Duodenal ulcers
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections
• Pathological hypersecretory conditions (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acids and other contents go back into the esophagus. This can result in GERD symptoms, including the most common symptom of GERD -- heartburn. One of the complications of GERD is erosive esophagitis, which is when the lining of the esophagus becomes damaged from the stomach acid.

 

Aciphex has been licensed to treat symptoms of GERD, including heartburn. It has also been licensed to treat erosive esophagitis. Once the damage has been healed, Aciphex may also be used prevent the return of erosive esophagitis.

 

Duodenal ulcers are ulcers which are located in the first part of the small intestine. Aciphex is used for the treatment of duodenal ulcers for both healing and improvement of ulcer symptoms.

 

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are bacteria known to cause peptic ulcers, which are ulcers in the stomach or first part of the intestines, called the duodenum. Aciphex taken in combination with amoxicillin and clarithromycin has been shown to kill H. pylori. Therefore, your healthcare provider may recommend Aciphex to treat H. pylori if you currently have peptic ulcer disease or have had peptic ulcer disease within the last five years. Treating an H. pylori infection, even if you have no symptoms, will lower the chances of a peptic ulcer occurring.