Most people who take rabeprazole do not have any side effects. If you do get a side effect, it is usually mild and will go away when you stop taking rabeprazole.
Common side effects
These common side effects of rabeprazole happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them.
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking rabeprazole. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.
Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
It may help if you avoid rich or spicy food. Drink plenty of water by having small, frequent sips to avoid dehydration. If you're being sick, take, small, frequent sips. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
If you're taking contraceptive pills and rabeprazole makes you sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Diarrhoea
Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without talking to your doctor.
If you're taking contraceptive pills and you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Constipation
Get more fibre into your diet such as fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Try to increase your level of exercise, for example, by going for a daily walk or run. If this does not help, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
Stomach pain
Try to rest and relax. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help. If you are in a lot of pain, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
Farting
Avoid foods that cause wind, like lentils, peas, beans and onions. It might also help to eat smaller and more frequent meals, eat and drink slowly, and exercise regularly. Some pharmacy remedies, such as simeticone, may relieve the symptoms of wind.
Feeling dizzy or tired
If rabeprazole makes you feel dizzy or tired, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery. Do not drink alcohol as it will make you feel worse.
Sore throat
Try chewing sugar-free gum or suck sugar-free sweets.
Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor if this advice does not help and the side effects bother you or do not go away.
Serious side effects
Some of these serious side effects are more common than others.
Call a doctor or call 111 now if you:
- have joint pain along with a red skin rash, especially in parts of your body exposed to the sun, such as your arms, cheeks and nose (this may be less noticeable on brown on black skin) – these can be signs of a rare condition called subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE). This can happen even if you've been taking rabeprazole for a long time
- have diarrhoea that’s severe or that does not go away – this can be a sign of an inflamed bowel
- notice stomach pains that are getting worse, the whites of your eyes or your skin turns yellow, although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin – this can be a sign of liver problems
- are getting frequent infections, such as a sore throat or high temperature, or ulcers in your mouth or throat
- bruise or bleed easily
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to rabeprazole.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Long term side effects
If you take rabeprazole for more than 3 months, the levels of magnesium in your blood may fall.
Low magnesium can make you feel tired, confused and dizzy, and cause muscle twitches, shakiness and an irregular heartbeat. Tell your doctor if you get any of these symptoms.
Taking rabeprazole for more than a year may increase your chances of certain side effects, including:
- bone fractures
- gut infections
- vitamin B12 deficiency – symptoms include feeling very tired, a sore and red tongue, mouth ulcers and pins and needles
If you take rabeprazole for longer than a year, your doctor will regularly check your health to see if you should carry on taking it.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of rabeprazole. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.