What Is Pariet Used For?

Pariet contains rabeprazole sodium and belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces, which helps relieve symptoms and allows healing to occur. Your food will still be digested normally.

Primary Uses

Pariet treats gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD or ‘reflux’), which occurs when food and stomach acid flow back up into your food pipe, causing heartburn. It also treats peptic ulcers (gastric ulcers in the stomach or duodenal ulcers in the tube leading from the stomach) and chronic gastritis (stomach inflammation). When combined with antibiotics, it helps eliminate Helicobacter pylori bacteria that can cause ulcers and stomach inflammation.

How It Works

Pariet decreases the amount of acid your stomach makes by blocking proton pumps. This gives relief from symptoms like heartburn and allows ulcers and inflammation to heal properly.

How to Take Pariet

Take Pariet exactly as your doctor has prescribed. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water and taken at the same time each day. It doesn’t matter if you take it with food or on an empty stomach.

Dosage Instructions

The usual dose is one tablet taken once daily. Dosage typically ranges from 10 mg to 40 mg per day depending on your condition and its severity. For treating Helicobacter pylori infections with antibiotics, the usual dose is one 20mg tablet twice daily (morning and evening) for 7 days. Never crush or chew the tablets as they have a special coating that protects them from stomach acid.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss your dose, take it as soon as you remember and continue taking it normally. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• headache
• dizziness
• diarrhea
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• wind
• vomiting
• constipation
• runny or blocked nose
• sore throat
• cough
• back pain
• muscle pain
• rash
• muscle weakness
• physical weakness or lack of energy
• flu-like symptoms
• insomnia
• chest pain

Important Warnings

Before taking Pariet, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications. Some people should not take this medication.

Who Should Not Take Pariet

Do not take Pariet if you are allergic to rabeprazole sodium, other PPIs (omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole), or any ingredients in the tablets. Do not give to children under 18 years of age as safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver problems, or if you take any other medicines for any condition. Long-term use may increase risk of hip, wrist, or spine fractures, and may affect vitamin B-12 absorption or cause low magnesium levels.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. It is not known if Pariet passes into breast milk.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Pariet and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take.

• atazanavir (HIV treatment) – do not take together
• clopidogrel (antiplatelet medicine) – do not take together
• cyclosporin (immunosuppressant)
• methotrexate (cancer/arthritis treatment)
• digoxin (heart medicine)
• ketoconazole (antifungal)
• mycophenolate mofetil (transplant medicine)
• clarithromycin (antibiotic)

Alcohol & Driving

Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Pariet affects you, as it may cause dizziness in some people.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Make sure you know how you react to Pariet before driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that could be dangerous if you feel dizzy.

Storage

Keep Pariet tablets in their blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Do not store in the refrigerator, freezer, bathroom, or car. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended.

Overdose Information

If you think you have taken too much Pariet, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.

Frequently Asked Questions