Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) is a medication used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
The drug belongs to a class of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Dexilant works by decreasing the amount of acid produced in the stomach. You take it as a tablet once daily with food.
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Dexilant is a PPI that works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach. The drug is used to treat heartburn (a GERD symptom), and erosive esophagitis (a condition that occurs when stomach acid damages the esophagus).
Dexilant is available as a tablet that you take by mouth. You usually take it once a day with or without food. If you take it with food, try to take it at the same time each day.
Swallow the capsule whole; don’t chew it.
If you have trouble swallowing capsules, you can open the capsule and sprinkle the contents into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing, and drink a glass of cool water to make sure you have swallowed it all. Don’t pre-prepare the mixture because this can reduce the drug’s effectiveness.
You should start to feel better within the first few days¹ of taking Dexilant, but it can take up to four weeks to feel the medication’s full effects.
Some people may experience what is known as “heartburn rebound,” which occurs when your symptoms return after you stop taking the medication. If this happens, talk to your doctor about what you can do to manage your symptoms.
Many people are able to reduce their dose or stop taking Dexilant altogether once their symptoms have cleared; however, you shouldn’t stop taking the medication until your doctor tells you to.
The most common side effects of Dexilant are:
Nausea or vomiting
Stomach pain or cramps
Gas or bloating
Less common side effects include:
Dry mouth
Weight gain
Rarely, Dexilant can also cause serious side effects, including:
Heart attacks
Stroke — symptoms include weakness in one part or side of your body, slurred speech, sudden and severe headache, and problems with vision or balance
Lupus erythematosus (a disorder that causes your body’s immune system to attack itself)
Fractures (particularly if used long term)
Intestinal polyps
Low magnesium levels
Kidney injury
Using Dexilant may increase your risk of developing pneumonia.
Symptoms of pneumonia include:
Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow, or even bloody mucus
Fever, sweating and shaking chills
Shortness of breath
Rapid, shallow breathing
Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue
Talk to your doctor about the potential risks and side effects linked to long-term use.
Dexilant is generally considered safe and effective for long-term use. However, while most people tolerate the drug well when taking it long-term, there is a small risk of developing serious complications.
Potential complications of long-term Dexilant use include:
Bone loss
Gastrointestinal problems
If you have any concerns about taking Dexilant for a long period of time, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.
If you forget to take a dose of Dexilant, take it as soon as possible. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than one dose of Dexilant in a day.
Call your doctor for guidance if you vomit within an hour of taking Dexilant.
It’s possible to take an overdose of Dexilant. Symptoms of an overdose may include:
Get emergency medical help straight away if you think you or someone else has taken too much Dexilant.
Speak to your doctor before you start taking Dexilant. Your doctor will be able to determine if Dexilant is the right medication for you and will also be able to provide guidance on what dosage to take.
Some medications interact with Dexilant, so you must tell your doctor about any other drugs you’re currently taking (prescription or nonprescription). You should also tell your doctor about any nutritional supplements or herbal medicines you’re taking or plan to take.
Tell your doctor if you’re allergic to Dexilant or have ever had an allergic reaction to it. Your doctor should also know if you’re allergic to any other medication.
Dexilant may be unsuitable if you have certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have:
Low magnesium levels in your blood
Liver problems
Vitamin B-12 deficiency
Also let your doctor know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant while taking Dexilant.
You may experience heartburn rebound when you stop taking Dexilant. Your doctor may recommend reducing your dose gradually over several weeks to avoid this.
There is no specific information regarding the use of Dexilant during pregnancy. However, omeprazole, one of the active ingredients in Dexilant, has been classified by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a pregnancy category B drug. This means it’s not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about whether or not Dexilant is right for you.
Omeprazole has also been shown to pass into breast milk in small amounts. Discuss this with your doctor before taking Dexilant, as they may prescribe you a different drug.
Don’t take Dexilant if you are also taking atazanavir, nelfinavir, or ritonavir. These medications can increase the levels of Dexilant in your body and lead to serious side effects. If you are taking any of these medications, talk to your doctor before starting Dexilant.
Dexilant can also interact with certain antacids. Taking these medications together can make it harder for your body to absorb Dexilant. To avoid this interaction, take Dexilant at least 30 minutes before or after taking an antacid.
Dexilant can also decrease the efficacy of the blood-thinning agent, Clopidogrel. You may be taking Clopidogrel to prevent a stroke or heart attack, making this interaction potentially dangerous.
Your doctor may recommend taking Dexilant and Clopidogrel at least 12 hours apart to prevent this issue.
Some other drugs that can interact with Dexilant include:
Cimetidine
Ketoconazole
Omeprazole
Esomeprazole
Lansoprazole
Rabeprazole
Ranitidine
Dexlansoprazole
Rarely, Dexilant can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction to Dexilant include:
Rash
Hives
Itching
Difficulty breathing
Tightness in the chest
Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, throat, or tongue
Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you’re allergic to Dexilant or any of its ingredients before taking the drug.
A clinical trial² examined the use of Dexilant in people with GERD symptoms. The trial enrolled participants who had suffered from heartburn for at least six months. Half of the participants in this group received Dexilant and half received a placebo.
54.9% of Dexilant users experienced no heartburn symptoms in a 24-hour period compared to patients on placebo, where only 18.5% reported no symptoms.
Dexilant has also been shown to help children and adolescents with GERD symptoms in clinical trials.² The drug was given to young people aged 12 to 17 who had suffered from heartburn for at least three months.
During 16 weeks, participants taking 30mg of Dexilant experienced no heartburn symptoms in a 24-hour period on a median of 87% of days. Participants taking the placebo had no symptoms on a median of 68% of the days.
If you’re prescribed Dexilant, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions. Here are a few tips to help you take the drug safely and get the most out of your treatment:
Take Dexilant exactly as prescribed.
Swallow the capsule whole; don’t crush, chew, or break it unless instructed.
Dexilant can be taken with or without food.
If you vomit within an hour of taking Dexilant, call your doctor for instructions. You may need to repeat the dose.
It may take up to four weeks for Dexilant to start working. Be patient and stick with it even if you don’t see results right away.
Remember to tell your doctor about any allergies or health conditions you have before taking Dexilant. They should also be aware of any other medications you take.
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor.
Sources
Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) | Medical News Today
DEXILANT (dexlansoprazole) delayed-release capsules, for oral use (2020)
REFERENCES USED:
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Here at HealthMatch, we’ve done our best to ensure that the information provided in this article is helpful, up to date, and, most importantly, accurate.
However, we can’t replace the one-to-one advice of a qualified medical practitioner or outline all of the possible risks associated with this particular drug and your circumstances.
It is therefore important for you to note that the information contained in this article does not constitute professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or recommendation of treatment and is not intended to, nor should be used to, replace professional medical advice. This article may not always be up to date and is not exhaustive of all of the risks and considerations relevant to this particular drug. In no circumstances should this article be relied upon without independent consideration and confirmation by a qualified medical practitioner.
Your doctor will be able to explain all possible uses, dosages, precautions, interactions with other drugs, and other potential adverse effects, and you should always talk to them about any kind of medication you are taking, thinking about taking or wanting to stop taking.
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