subject: All You Need To Know About Aciphex [print this page] All You Need To Know About Aciphex All You Need To Know About Aciphex
A report by The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) revealed that an alarming 33% of people in the US suffer from acid reflux diseases. The healthcare cumulative costs of gastronomical condition amounts to approximately $10 billion annually. A popular medication used for treating conditions arising from excessive production of acid in the stomach is Aciphex. The drug belongs to a category of medicines known as proton pump inhibitors. This medication is most commonly used to cure gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Aciphex is also prescribed with antibiotics to prevent gastric ulcer that are caused by helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Note that, this drug must not be used as an immediate relief for symptoms of heartburn. Factors to Consider Before Taking Aciphex Aciphex increases the risk of fracture of the bones in the spine, hip and wrist. Generally, this effect occurs in people who take high doses of the medication and in people over 50. Therefore, if you are suffering from osteoporosis or have low bone density, inform your doctor if he recommends this drug to you. Dosage adjustments are also needed if you have a liver condition. Aciphex is labeled under pregnancy category B by the FDA. This implies that the drug has shown adverse effects in animal studies, but adequate proof about its impact on pregnant women is not available. It is still advisable to inform your doctor if you are currently breast-feeding, are pregnant or are planning to start a family during the treatment. Aciphex Usage and Dosage Guidelines This drug should be consumed in full compliance with your doctor's prescription. Read the directions on the label extremely carefully. Do not alter the size of the dosage or consume the drug for longer than the recommended period. It is equally important to continue the medication for the entire prescribed length, even if your symptoms improve before the completion of the course. The drug is usually prescribed for 4-8 weeks. When treating helicobacter pylori infection, the medication may be required for only seven days. You may have to go through a second course of treatment if your condition improves at a slow pace. Aciphex has to be stored at room temperature, away from heat and moisture. The drug has to be consumed with a full glass of water, and may be taken with or without food. Do not chew, break or crush an Aciphex tablet. It should be swallowed entirely to ensure that the drug is absorbed in the body gradually.