AcipHex.com—Acid Reflux Disease Causes

Important Safety Information

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions.
Serious allergic reactions may occur. Tell your doctor if you have a rash, face swelling, throat tightness, or difficulty breathing.
People who are taking multiple daily doses of Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) medicines for a long period of time may have an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine.
Low magnesium can happen in some people who take a PPI medicine for at least 3 months. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms: seizures, dizziness, abnormal or fast heartbeat, jitteriness, jerking movements or shaking (tremors), muscle weakness, spasms of the hands and feet, cramps or muscle aches, or spasm of the voice box.
In adolescents, the most common side effects with ACIPHEX include headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
In adults, the most common side effects with ACIPHEX include pain, sore throat, gas, infection, and constipation.
Before taking ACIPHEX, tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines: atazanavir, digoxin, iron salts, ketoconazole, or warfarin.

INDICATIONS
In adults (≥18 years of age), one ACIPHEX 20 mg tablet daily is used for the treatment of daytime and nighttime heartburn and other symptoms associated with acid reflux disease. ACIPHEX is also used for the short-term (4 to 8 weeks) treatment in the healing and symptom relief of damaging (erosive) acid reflux disease (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and to maintain healing of damage (erosion) and relief of heartburn symptoms that happen with acid reflux disease. ACIPHEX has not been studied for treatment lasting longer than 12 months (1 year).

In adolescents (≥12 years of age), one ACIPHEX 20 mg tablet daily is used for the treatment of daytime and nighttime heartburn and other symptoms associated with acid reflux disease.

For more information about ACIPHEX, see Full Product Information.

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Why acid reflux occurs

Stomach acid, which we need to digest our food, is not a problem when it stays where it belongs—in your stomach.

Acid reflux is a physical condition where the contents of the stomach—including acid—back up (or reflux) into the esophagus (the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach). If this condition happens too frequently, it could cause acid reflux disease.

The role of the LES

Between your esophagus and your stomach there is a natural barrier, or valve, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). For most people, the LES works just fine. But for some people with acid reflux disease, this valve does not always work the way it should for 2 reasons:

			It relaxes too frequently
			It's too weak

Damage to the esophagus

The lining of your stomach is built to handle stomach acid. But the lining of your esophagus is not. It can protect itself for a while, but when acid comes in contact with this lining for an extended period of time, it can lead to serious damage. And as a result, you may experience heartburn and other painful or uncomfortable symptoms.

If left untreated, acid reflux disease may even cause damage (erosions) to the lining of the esophagus, a condition known as erosive esophagitis. If you have any concerns about your symptoms, please be sure to talk to your doctor.

Next: What happens?

In adults (≥18 years of age), one ACIPHEX 20 mg tablet daily is used for the treatment of daytime and nighttime heartburn and other symptoms associated with acid reflux disease. ACIPHEX is also used for the short-term (4 to 8 weeks) treatment in the healing and symptom relief of damaging (erosive) acid reflux disease (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and to maintain healing of damage (erosion) and relief of heartburn symptoms that happen with acid reflux disease. ACIPHEX has not been studied for treatment lasting longer than 12 months (1 year).

In adolescents (≥12 years of age), one ACIPHEX 20 mg tablet daily is used for the treatment of daytime and nighttime heartburn and other symptoms associated with acid reflux disease.

Symptom relief does not rule out other serious stomach conditions.
Serious allergic reactions may occur. Tell your doctor if you have a rash, face swelling, throat tightness, or difficulty breathing.
People who are taking multiple daily doses of Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) medicines for a long period of time may have an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine.
Low magnesium can happen in some people who take a PPI medicine for at least 3 months. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms: seizures, dizziness, abnormal or fast heartbeat, jitteriness, jerking movements or shaking (tremors), muscle weakness, spasms of the hands and feet, cramps or muscle aches, or spasm of the voice box.
In adolescents, the most common side effects with ACIPHEX include headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
In adults, the most common side effects with ACIPHEX include pain, sore throat, gas, infection, and constipation.
Before taking ACIPHEX, tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines: atazanavir, digoxin, iron salts, ketoconazole, or warfarin.

For more information about ACIPHEX, see Full Product Information.

ACIPHEX^® is a registered trademark of Eisai Co., Ltd.
©2011 Eisai Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
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The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare professional.
All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare professional, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

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For more information about ACIPHEX, call 1-888-274-2378 or 1-888-422-4743.

This site was last modified on: December 23, 2011 at 1:00:00 EST