Dexilant (Dexlansoprazole) - Oral

What Is Dexilant?

Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) is an oral medication that helps treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)—a condition that causes the acid in your stomach to flow backward, up into your esophagus, and cause heartburn. Dexilant also helps heal the lining of the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach), which may become damaged due to stomach acid irritation.

Dexilant belongs to a group of medications called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs. PPIs work by decreasing the amount of acid in the stomach.

While some PPIs are available over-the-counter (OTC), Dexilant requires a prescription, so you’ll need to visit your healthcare provider to see if this medication is an option for you.

What Is Dexilant Used For?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Dexilant for people 12 years and older to:

• Heal erosive esophagitis (acid-related damage to the lining of the esophagus) for up to eight weeks  
• Maintain healing of erosive esophagitis and provide relief from heartburn for up to 16 weeks for people aged 12 to 17 years and up to six months for people aged 17 and older.
• Treat heartburn associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for four weeks

How to Take Dexilant

Dexilant is taken once per day, with or without food. It is important to swallow the capsule whole and not chew the granules inside the capsule—doing so can affect how quickly Dexilant is released into your body.

Unlike other heartburn medications (e.g., Maalox, Tums, and others), Dexilant needs to be taken daily, as prescribed—not on an “as needed” basis—to work appropriately.

Storage

Store Dexilant at room temperature. Remember to keep Dexilant, and all your medications in a safe location, away from children and pets.

Off-Label Uses

Healthcare providers may prescribe Dexilant for other conditions not approved by the FDA. Some common “off-label” uses of Dexilant include:

• Barrett’s esophagus—a condition that involves changes to the esophagus lining usually due to chronic damage from GERD 
• Peptic ulcer disease 
• Treating symptoms of upset stomach without a clear cause (functional dyspepsia)
• Treating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection (in combination with antibiotics)—a bacterial infection that can cause stomach ulcers, pain, and nausea
  

What Are the Side Effects of Dexilant?

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Common Side Effects

Dexilant is generally well-tolerated, but as with any drug, side effects can occur. Common side effects include:

• Diarrhea 
• Gas
• Headache 
• Nausea
• Stomach pain 
• The common cold 
• Vomiting 

Let your healthcare provider know if any of these side effects become bothersome or prevent you from taking your Dexilant as prescribed.

Severe Side Effects

Dexilant may cause serious reactions in some people. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you experience a serious side effect. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening.

Dexilant may cause the following serious side effects: 

• Allergic reaction: Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include a rash, face swelling, throat tightness, or difficulty breathing. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening. 
• Kidney problems: Dexilant can cause a kidney problem called acute interstitial nephritis. This can occur at any time after starting Dexilant. Let your healthcare provider know if you notice a decrease in the amount you urinate or if you see blood in your urine. 
• Severe diarrhea: Dexilant can increase your risk of developing an infection in your intestines called Clostridium difficile, sometimes referred to as C. diff. C. diff can cause severe diarrhea. Call your healthcare provider if you experience watery diarrhea, stomach pain, and a fever that does not go away. 
• Bone fractures: Long-term use of Dexilant may increase your chances of developing bone fractures. 
• Lupus erythematosus: Dexilant may cause certain types of lupus erythematosus—an autoimmune disease. It can also worsen this condition if you already have it. Let your healthcare provider know if you experience new or worsening joint pain or a rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun. 
• Vitamin B12 deficiency: Long-term use of Dexilant can decrease how well your body absorbs vitamin B12. Talk with your healthcare provider about this risk, especially if you have taken Dexilant for more than three years.
• Low magnesium levels: Dexilant can decrease magnesium levels in your body, which can cause serious complications. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you experience an abnormal or fast heartbeat, cramps or muscle pain, dizziness, hand or foot spasms, tremors, jitteriness, muscle weakness, seizures, or spasms in your throat.
• Stomach growths: Dexilant increases the risk of certain stomach growths called fundic gland polyps, especially if you take Dexilant for more than one year. 

Dosage: How Much of Dexilant Should I Take?

Modifications

If you have trouble swallowing pills, you can still take Dexilant. The capsules can be opened and sprinkled onto applesauce—just be sure not to chew the granules since they’re coated with a substance that releases Dexilant slowly into your body.

Follow these steps to take Dexilant with applesauce:

1. Put one tablespoon of applesauce into a clean container.
2. Carefully open the Dexilant capsule, and sprinkle the granules onto the applesauce.
3. Immediately swallow the applesauce, being careful not to chew the granules. 
4. Do not save the applesauce and granules to be taken later.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Dexilant, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose regularly. Don’t double up or take extra Dexilant to make up for a missed dose.

Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Dexilant?

Taking more than your prescribed dose of Dexilant can cause side effects, which can sometimes be serious. These side effects can include:

• Increases in blood pressure
• Hot flashes
• Sore throat
• Bruises
• Weight loss

Precautions

What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Take Dexilant?

You should not take Dexilant with any drugs containing rilpivirine—a medication used to treat HIV. Dexilant can decrease rilpivirine levels and reduce how well it works against HIV. Products that contain rilpivirine include: 

• Cabenuva (rilpivirine and cabotegravir) 
• Complera (rilpivirine, emtricitabine, and tenofovir)
• Edurant (rilpivirine)
• Juluca (rilpivirine and dolutegravir)
• Odefsey (rilpivirine, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide)

Let your healthcare provider know about all your allergies. You should not take Dexilant if you are allergic to the active ingredient (dexlansoprazole) or any other component of Dexilant.

What Other Medications Interact With Dexilant?

Dexilant can interact with many medications. Always keep an updated list of all the medicines you take, including herbal and nonprescription products. Share this information with your healthcare provider and pharmacist any time there are changes.

Let your healthcare provider know if you take any of the following medications. They may recommend avoiding Dexilant or adjusting the dose of your other medication:

• Actonel (risedronate) 
• Bosulif (bosutinib)
• Cefuroxime
• CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) 
• Epclusa (sofosbuvir, velpatasvir)
• Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir)
• Iressa (gefitinib) 
• Ketoconazole 
• Lumakras (sotorasib) 
• Methotrexate—especially if you receive high-dose methotrexate for cancer treatment. 
• Nerlynx (neratinib) 
• Noxafil (posaconazole) 
• Products that contain rilpivirine 
• Prograf (tacrolimus) 
• Retevmo (selpercatinib) 
• Reyataz (atazanavir) 
• Rezurock (belumosudil)
• Rifampin 
• Sporanox (itraconazole)
• Sprycel (dasatinib)
• St. John’s wort 
• Tarceva (erlotinib) 
• Tasigna (nilotinib) 
• Truseltiq (infigratinib) 
• Turalio (pexidartinib) 
• Vfend (voriconazole) 
• Viracept (nelfinavir) 
• Vizimpro (dacomitinib)
• Vosevi (sofosbuvir, velpatasvir, voxilaprevir)
• Votrient (pazopanib)

This is not a complete list of all the drugs that can interact with Dexilant. Always review the medications you take with your healthcare provider and pharmacist before starting anything new.

What Medications Are Similar?

Several PPI medications are available to treat heartburn and other stomach acid-related conditions. PPIs are typically considered equally effective at reducing symptoms and healing the esophagus. Side effects are also similar, although you may find you tolerate one PPI better than another.

Choosing a PPI often depends on:

• Which product is covered by your insurance
• If there is a generic product available
• If you need a liquid form of the medication
• If you wish to purchase an OTC PPI

In addition to Dexilant, available PPIs include:

• Aciphex (rabeprazole) 
• Nexium (esomeprazole)—available without a prescription 
• Prevacid (lansoprazole)—available without a prescription 
• Prilosec (omeprazole)—available without a prescription 
• Protonix (pantoprazole)
• Zegerid (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate)—available without a prescription

This is a list of similar drugs—not drugs you should take with Dexilant. In fact, you should not take these drugs together. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medications.

How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Dexilant?

If you’ve been struggling to get your heartburn under control, talk to your healthcare provider about Dexilant. Dexilant is a safe and effective option that can help treat the uncomfortable symptoms of acid reflux and heal the esophagus lining. Be sure to only take Dexilant for the amount of time prescribed by your healthcare provider. The longer you take Dexilant, the greater your risk of side effects. If you require long-term treatment with Dexilant, you and your healthcare provider will work together to develop a monitoring plan to keep you healthy and feeling your best.