Rabeprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – rab-ep-pra-zole
Aciphex – brand name

Aciphex (rabeprazole) and GERD

Aciphex is available with a doctor’s prescription and is commonly called by it’s brand name, Aciphex. Aciphex belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors, called PPI’s. They are:

• Aciphex – Rabeprazole
• Nexium – Esomeprazole
• Prilosec – Omeprazole
• Prevacid – Lansoprazole
• Protonix – Pantoprazole

Aciphex is used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in the treatment of ulcers, and long term treatment of situations where the stomach is producing large amounts of acid, including Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.

Aciphex may be used in combination with antibiotics – such as amoxicillin and clarithromycin – to treat certain types of ulcers. Aciphex works by blocking acid production in the stomach. Aciphex may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), pronounced – GAH-stroh-eh-SAW-fuh-JEE-ul REE-fluks duh-zeez, is the flow of the stomach’s contents back up into the esophagus. Happens when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) is weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t. May cause esophagitis. Also called esophageal reflux or reflux esophagitis.