Aciphex vs. Prevacid

• Are Aciphex and Prevacid the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Aciphex?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Prevacid?
• What Is Aciphex?
• What Is Prevacid?
• What Drugs Interact with Aciphex?
• What Drugs Interact with Prevacid?
• How Should Aciphex Be Taken?
• How Should Prevacid Be Taken?

Aciphex (rabeprazole sodium) and Prevacid (lansoprazole) are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) used to reduce stomach acid to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and duodenal ulcers.

Aciphex is also used in combination with antibiotics to treat Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infections in the stomach.

Prevacid is also used to treat and prevent erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid) and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Prevacid is available over-the-counter (OTC) and as a generic.

Side effects of Aciphex and Prevacid that are similar include diarrhea and headache.

Side effects of Aciphex that are different from Prevacid include rash or itching, upset stomach, gas, sore throat, insomnia, and nervousness.

Side effects of Prevacid that are different from Aciphex include nausea, stomach pain, and constipation.

Both Aciphex and Prevacid may interact with atazanavir, blood thinners, digoxin, diuretics (water pills), ketoconazole, and methotrexate.

Aciphex may also interact with cyclosporine.

Prevacid may also interact with sucralfate, ampicillin, iron, and theophylline.

Common side effects of Aciphex include:

• rash or itching,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea,
• gas,
• sore throat,
• headache,
• insomnia, or
• nervousness.

Serious side effects of Aciphex include:

• hepatitis,
• abnormal brain function or structure (encephalopathy),
• dizziness,
• swelling,
• joint pain, and
• muscle pains.

Common side effects of Prevacid include:

• dizziness,
• fast or irregular heart rate,
• watery or bloody diarrhea,
• muscle cramps or weakness,
• jerky muscle movements,
• confusion,
• feeling jittery, or
• seizures.

Aciphex (rabeprazole sodium) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce stomach acid and is used for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenal ulcers, and used in combination with antibiotics to treat Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infections in the stomach.

Prevacid (lansoprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat and prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers, erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Aciphex may interact with atazanavir, blood thinners, digoxin, diuretics (water pills), ketoconazole, or methotrexate.

Aciphex may also interact with cyclosporine.

Prevacid may interact with sucralfate, ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, iron, ketoconazole, methotrexate, theophylline, blood thinners, or diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with Prevacid. Prevacid is not expected to be harmful to a fetus. It is unknown if Prevacid passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.

• Take Aciphex exactly as prescribed. Your doctor will prescribe the dose that is right for you and your medical condition. Do not change your dose or stop taking Aciphex unless you talk to your doctor. Take Aciphex for as long as it is prescribed even if you feel better.
• Aciphex is usually taken 1 time each day. Your doctor will tell you the time of day to take Aciphex, based on your medical condition.
• Aciphex can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will tell you whether to take this medicine with or without food based on your medical condition.
• Swallow each Aciphex tablet whole. Do not chew, crush, or split Aciphex tablets. Tell your doctor if you cannot swallow tablets whole.
• If you miss a dose of Aciphex, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
• If you take too much Aciphex, call your doctor or your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 right away, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
• Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic medicines with Aciphex to help treat a stomach infection and heal stomach (duodenal) ulcers that are caused by bacteria called H. pylori. Make sure you read the patient information that comes with an antibiotic before you start taking it.

The dose of Prevacid depends on the condition being treated. Lansoprazole capsules should be taken before meals for maximum effect. Capsules should be swallowed whole and should not be crushed, split or chewed.