People with stomach ulcers and related conditions may take rabeprazole to reduce acid production. As the medication is in the form of an oral tablet, many of the most common rabeprazole side effects relate to the gastrointestinal system. These include diarrhea, flatulence, and nausea. Other common side effects include muscle aches, an alteration in heartbeat, and dizziness.
Rabeprazole acts on the cells that line the stomach, stopping them from producing stomach acid. In healthy people, the cells produce a reasonable amount of stomach acid, and the stomach and duodenum areas of the gastrointestinal tract have a covering of cells that protect from acid damage. People with ulcers have patches where the lining cells do not prevent acid from irritating the exposed surfaces. Other conditions where rabeprazole may be useful include gastro-esophageal reflux disease, where the acid makes its way up into the food pipe and causes a burning sensation. If a tumor is present in the stomach that promotes high levels of stomach acid, then the medication may also be useful.
After a patient swallows a rabeprazole tablet, he or she may experience nausea and stomach pain and need to vomit. Rabeprazole side effects on the gastrointestinal system can also extend to diarrhea or constipation, along with high levels of gas and, therefore, an increase in flatulence. As well as these symptoms, the drug can also cause headaches or result in a skin rash.
Some patients find that they experience trouble sleeping or feel weaker than before. Sometimes, a patient can become dizzy or have pain in his or her back. Another possible part of rabeprazole side effects is that a patient has symptoms similar to the flu or develops a cough. Irritation and inflammation of the nose or throat can also be attributable to rabeprazole.
As the drug lowers the level of acid in the stomach, the treatment can make the patient more susceptible to infections. These primarily originate from contaminated food or drink as the stomach acid is the first line of defense against these pathogens. Along with these more common rabeprazole side effects, the drug may also cause rarer problems.
Nervous system effects include an increase in drowsiness or abnormal nervousness. Affected people can also suffer cramps in the legs, a dry mouth, or an unusual heartbeat pattern. A blush-like rash can also occur, as can fever or pain in the chest. In people who take the drug long term for more than a year, bone density can also be affected and result in an increased risk of broken bones.