Pariet

Pariet is a GORD treatment that belongs to a class of medicines known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It contains the active ingredient rabeprazole, which decreases stomach acid production.

In the lining of your stomach you have proton pumps. They’re enzymes that produce acid, so you can break down food and easily digest it.^[1] Proton pump inhibitors work by blocking the gastric H,K-ATPase, inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid.^[2] Or put simply — they stop proton pumps from working normally, and reduce the amount of stomach acid you make.

GORD occurs when this acid leaks into your oesophagus.^[3] When this happens, it creates a range of unpleasant symptoms. Heartburn (a burning feeling in your chest, usually after meals), bad breath, bloating and difficulty swallowing are all commonly experienced by anyone with GORD. It can also give you acid reflux, where the acid from your stomach produces a sour taste in your mouth.

Stomach acid is required for normal, healthy digestion. If you suffer from GORD, it’s usually because you’re producing too much of it or it’s going to the wrong places. The excess acid seeps through the ring of muscle at the base of your oesophagus, and eventually enters your throat. PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) like Pariet are effective medications which are prescribed to stop this from happening. Doing so should ease heartburn, acid reflux, bloating and any other GORD-related symptoms you’re experiencing regularly.

There are two different strengths of Pariet (10mg and 20mg tablets) and they can be used for different lengths of time. PPIs counteract the problems caused by your body producing excessive amounts of stomach acid, and prevents it from leaking into your oesophagus on a regular basis.^[4]

For moderate to severe GORD symptoms, you’ll take one 10mg tablet a day for up to 4 weeks. The tablets should be taken each morning before eating.

If you have severe GORD, and it’s erosive or ulcerative, you’ll need the higher dose 20mg tablets. These are also taken once a day (each morning before eating) but can be taken for 4-8 weeks.

Talk to a clinician if you feel like your gastro-oesophageal reflux needs managing long-term. The 10mg or 20mg tablets are usually taken every day in this case, but you’ll need to know if it’s suitable for you to take Pariet for longer than 8 weeks. A clinician can also advise you if you suffer from peptic or duodenal ulcers.

You should always follow the advice of your clinician when taking Pariet. Only take a tablet from the blister pack when you’re about to take it.
Swallow your tablet whole, with a glass of water. A clinician will usually recommend you take Pariet first thing in the morning, before you’ve had any food. Taking the tablets at the same time each morning reduces your chances of missing a dose, or accidentally taking too much.

If for any reason you take more Pariet than you need, you should go to hospital immediately. Bringing your medicine pack with you will mean you can get the right medical attention quicker.

If you forget to take a dose of Pariet, you can take one when you remember so long as it isn’t too close to the time of your next dose. As you only need one tablet a day (this applies to both the 10mg and 20mg strengths), there’s no need to double up your dose to make up for missing a tablet. Carry on with your usual routine and you should avoid taking too much.

You should never stop taking Pariet without speaking to a clinician first. If you forget to take your tablets for five consecutive days, get in touch with us before taking any more medication. Missing this amount could cause problems once you re-start, so it’s recommended you get expert advice before doing so.