Rabeprazole: a second-generation proton pump inhibitor in the treatment of acid-related disease

Abstract

Rabeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) presenting a very advantageous pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile over older PPIs. In particular, this drug has a very fast onset of action, due to a short activation time and a very high pKa, and may therefore be defined as a ‘second generation’ PPI. The aim of this article is to provide an update on the pharmacology and clinical profile of rabeprazole and its use in acid-related disorders, with a particular focus on its role in gastroesophageal reflux disease; in the treatment and prevention of duodenal and gastric ulcers and Zollinger–Ellison syndrome; in the therapy of the extraesophageal manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (in particular the respiratory and ear, nose and throat ones); and in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

Keywords::

• acid-related disorder
• atypical symptoms
• gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Helicobacter pylori eradication
• peptic ulcer disease
• proton pump
• rabeprazole
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Silvia Marelli belongs to Medical Department of Janssen-Cilag, Italy. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.