Sagarab

Description

Sagarab Tablet (Rabeprazole)

Sagarab Tablet contains rabeprazole, a type of medication called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces.

What is Sagarab Tablet used for?

Sagarab Tablet is prescribed to treat conditions caused by excessive stomach acid, including:

• Peptic Ulcer Disease: This covers ulcers in both the stomach (gastric ulcer) and the first part of the small intestine (duodenal ulcer).
• H. pylori Infection: Used as part of a combination therapy to eliminate Helicobacter pylori bacteria, a common cause of ulcers.
• Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Also known as acid reflux, this includes symptoms like heartburn and acid regurgitation, as well as erosive oesophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid).
• Paediatric GERD: Specifically for children over 12 years of age.
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome: A rare condition where the stomach produces abnormally high levels of acid.

How to take Sagarab Tablet (Dosage Information)

Sagarab Tablet can be taken with or without meals.

Adult Dosing

• Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD):
  • Typical Treatment: 20 mg once daily for 4-8 weeks.
  • Maintenance: 10 mg or 20 mg once daily.
  • Erosive Oesophagitis: 20 mg once daily for 4-8 weeks. Treatment may continue for another 8 weeks if healing is incomplete. Maintenance is 10 mg or 20 mg once daily.
  • All daily doses should be taken in the morning.
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome:
  • Initial Dose: 60 mg once daily in the morning.
  • Adjustments: Your doctor may increase the dose up to a maximum of 120 mg per day if needed. If your daily dose exceeds 100 mg, it should be divided into two doses.
• Peptic Ulcer:
  • Duodenal Ulcer: 20 mg once daily in the morning for 4-8 weeks.
  • Gastric Ulcer: 20 mg once daily in the morning for 6-12 weeks.
• H. pylori Infection (1-week triple therapy):
  • 20 mg twice daily, combined with:
    • Clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily and Amoxicillin 1 g twice daily, OR
    • Clarithromycin 250 mg twice daily and Metronidazole 400 mg twice daily.

Child Dosing

• Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD):
  • Children over 12 years: 20 mg once daily in the morning for up to 8 weeks.

Special Populations

• Elderly: No dosage adjustment is typically needed.
• Hepatic Impairment (Liver Problems): No dosage adjustment is typically needed.
• Renal Impairment (Kidney Problems): No dosage adjustment is typically needed.

Important Considerations

Do Not Take If:

• You have a known hypersensitivity (allergy) to rabeprazole, other PPIs, or any component of Sagarab Tablet.

Precautions:

• Gastric Malignancy: Your doctor should rule out stomach cancer before starting treatment, as PPIs can sometimes mask the symptoms of cancer.
• Severe Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution.
• Pregnancy and Lactation: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss with your doctor whether Sagarab Tablet is safe for you. It’s not known if rabeprazole passes into breast milk, so caution is advised.
• Monitoring: Your doctor may monitor your magnesium levels before starting and periodically during prolonged use.

Potential Drug Interactions

Sagarab Tablet can interact with other medications. It’s crucial to inform your doctor about all medicines you are taking, especially:

• Medications whose effectiveness may be decreased by Sagarab: Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Clopidogrel.
• Medications that increase the risk of low magnesium (hypomagnesaemia) with Sagarab: Diuretics (water pills) and Digoxin.
• Medications whose effects may be increased by Sagarab: Warfarin (may increase prothrombin time and INR), Saquinavir, Methotrexate.
• Medications that may decrease Sagarab’s effectiveness: Sucralfate (if you take Sucralfate, take Sagarab at least 30 minutes before it).
• Potentially Fatal Interactions (may significantly decrease plasma concentrations and pharmacological effects of): Rilpivirine and Atazanavir.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, Sagarab Tablet can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Common Side Effects (1-10% of users):

• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Flatulence (gas)
• Constipation
• Pharyngitis (sore throat)
• General pain

Less Common but Serious Side Effects (Less than 1% of users, seek medical attention if severe):

• Agitation
• Agranulocytosis (severe drop in white blood cells)
• Alopecia (hair loss)
• Anemia
• Angioedema (swelling under the skin)
• Chest pain
• Delirium
• Erythema (skin redness)
• Hypokalemia (low potassium)
• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium)
• Hyponatremia (low sodium)
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)
• Leukocytosis (high white blood cell count)
• Leukopenia (low white blood cell count)
• Migraine
• Osteoporosis-related fractures
• Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown)
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (severe skin reaction)
• Sudden death
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis (severe skin reaction)
• Abnormal taste

Note: Sagarab 20 mg Tablet is manufactured by Saga Laboratories and is available in Nepal. This information is for general knowledge and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.