Rasonix (Rabeprazole)

Therapeutic Group: Gastro Intestinal Disorders Antiulcerant PPI

Rasonix 20 tablet: Each enteric-coated tablet contains Rabeprazole Sodium INN 20 mg.

The active ingredient in Rasonix tablet is Rabeprazole sodium, a rapid acting proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Rabeprazole is a substituted benzimidazole which suppresses gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the gastric H+/ K+ ATPase at the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cell. This enzyme is regarded as the acid (proton) pump within the parietal cell. Rabeprazole blocks the final step of gastric acid secretion. The stability of Rabeprazole sodium depends on pH; it is rapidly degraded in acid media, and is more stable under alkaline conditions. Because of its enteric coated formulation Rasonix is highly stable in stomach and higher pKa value of Rabeprazole provides faster action compared to other PPIs.

i) Duodenal ulcer: Rasonix 20 mg tablet in the morning is indicated for 4 weeks treatment in the healing and symptomatic relief of duodenal ulcer. Most patients heal within 4 weeks. ii) Benign gastric ulcer: 20 mg daily in the morning for 6 weeks, followed by a further 6 weeks if not fully cured. iii) Duodenal ulcer and benign gastric ulcer associated with H. pylori infection: Rasonix in combination with Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin as a three drug regimen is indicated for the treatment of patients with H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease. Rabeprazole offers a faster therapy option than other PPIs, up to 10 to 14 days 20 mg once daily. iv) Healing of erosive or ulcerative Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): 20 mg daily in the morning 4 to 8 weeks. Those patients who have not healed after 8 weeks of treatment, an additional 8-week course of Rasonix may be considered. v) Treatment of symptomatic GERD: The recommended adult oral dose of Rasonix is 20 mg once daily for 4 weeks. If symptoms do not resolve completely after 4 weeks, an additional course of treatment may be considered. vi) Maintenance of healing of erosive or ulcerative GERD: Rasonix is indicated for maintaining healing and reduction in relapse rates of heartburn symptoms in patients with erosive or ulcerative GERD maintenance. Controlled studies do not extend beyond 12 months. vii) Prevention or treatment of NSAID-induced ulcers: Rasonix 20 mg tablet once daily, in patients receiving treatment with NSAIDs. viii) Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: The recommended adult oral starting dose is 60 mg once a day. Doses should be adjusted to individual patient needs and should continue for as long as clinically indicated. Some patients may require divided doses. Doses up to 100 mg once daily and 60 mg twice daily have been administered.

In general, Rabeprazole is well-tolerated in both short-term and long-term studies. Rabeprazole may some times cause headache, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, increased or decreased appetite, muscle pain, drowsiness, dizziness.

Rabeprazole Sodium tablets should not be splited, chewed or crushed.

Rabeprazole is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to Rabeprazole, other PPIs or to any component of the formulation.

Pregnant women: Rabeprazole is FDA pregnancy category B. No data are available on administration of Rabeprazole to pregnant women. However this drug should be used during pregnancy, only if clearly needed. Lactating mother: There are no data on the excretion of Rabeprazole into the breast milk. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the benefit of the drug to the mother. Paediatric use The safety and effectiveness of Rabeprazole in pediatric patients have not been established.

There is no experience with large overdosages with Rabeprazole. The maximum reported overdose 80 mg. There were no clinical signs or symptoms associated with any reported overdose. Patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome have been treated with up to 120 mg Rabeprazole once daily. No specific antidote for Rabeprazole is known.

Rasonix 20 tablet: Each box contains 5 Alu-Alu blister strips of 10 tablets.