How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Dexlansoprazole belongs to the family of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It is used to treat erosive esophagitis (acid-related damage to the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach), maintain the healing of erosive esophagitis, and to treat heartburn associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Dexlansoprazole works by reducing the amount of acid the stomach produces.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
30 mg
Each opaque, blue and grey capsule with "TAP" and "30" imprinted on the capsule contains 30 mg of dexlansoprazole. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose 2910, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium carbonate, methacrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol 8000, polysorbate 80, sucrose, sugar spheres, talc, titanium dioxide, and triethyl citrate; capsule shell: black ferric oxide, carrageenan, FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, hypromellose, potassium chloride, and titanium dioxide.
60 mg
Each opaque, blue capsule with "TAP" and "60" imprinted on the capsule contains 60 mg of dexlansoprazole. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose 2910, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium carbonate, methacrylic acid copolymer, polyethylene glycol 8000, polysorbate 80, sucrose, sugar spheres, talc, titanium dioxide, and triethyl citrate; capsule shell: carrageenan, FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, hypromellose, potassium chloride, and titanium dioxide.
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How should I use this medication?
For the treatment of erosive esophagitis, the usual dose of dexlansoprazole is 60 mg once daily for up to 8 weeks.
To maintain the healing of erosive esophagitis, the usual dose is 30 mg once daily for up to 6 months. In cases where the erosive esophagitis was considered moderate to severe, the dose may be increased to 60 mg taken once daily.
For heartburn associated with GERD, the usual dose is 30 mg once daily for 4 weeks.
Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 may use the same doses as adults for treatment of these conditions. To maintain the healing of erosive esophagitis, the usual length of treatment for adolescents is up to 4 months.
Dexlansoprazole can be taken with or without food. It should be swallowed whole with lots of water. If the capsule cannot be swallowed whole, the contents of the capsule can be sprinkled on one tablespoon of applesauce and swallowed immediately. The granules should not be chewed.
Alternatively, the contents of the capsule may also be mixed into 20 mL of water in a clean container. Draw the entire mixture into an oral syringe. Gently swirl the syringe to prevent the granules from settling and swallow the contents of the syringe immediately. Put another 10 mL of water into the syringe and swirl it around and swallow the contents. This makes sure that all the medication is taken.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take dexlansoprazole if you:
- are allergic to dexlansoprazole or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- are taking the medication rilpivirine
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- diarrhea (mild)
- gas
- headache
- nausea
Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- diarrhea (watery and severe; may also be bloody)
- new or worsening joint pain
- rash on face or arms that gets worse in the sun
- symptoms of inflammation of the digestive system (e.g., abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, weight loss, nausea)
- signs of kidney problems (e.g., change in the amount or colour of urine, increased urination at night, blood in the urine, swelling in the feet or legs)
- symptoms of liver damage (e.g., yellow skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, loss of appetite)
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- convulsion or seizure
- signs of a severe skin reaction (e.g., high fever; rash; skin peeling off; or painful blisters on the skin, mouth, or eyes)
- symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or itchy skin rash)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Diarrhea: When gastric acid is decreased, the number of bacteria normally in the digestive system increases. Occasionally, this can cause serious infection in the digestive tract. If you experience watery, foul-smelling bowel movements after starting to take dexlansoprazole, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Fractures: Long-term use of proton-pump inhibitors has been associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis-related fracture of the hip, wrist, or spine, particularly for people who take this medication for a year or longer. If you have osteoporosis or have risk factors for developing osteoporosis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver problems: People with liver problems should discuss with their doctor how this medication may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Magnesium levels: In rare instances, dexlansoprazole may cause low magnesium levels for people who take this medication for a prolonged period of time. Low magnesium may occur after as little as 3 months, but usually after a year of treatment. If you have low magnesium levels in your blood, you should discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Methotrexate interaction: Dexlansoprazole, like other medications in this group, may interact with methotrexate when the two medications are used at the same time. This combination may lead to higher than expected amounts of methotrexate in the body and can cause serious side effects, including kidney damage, irregular heartbeat, anemia, or infection. If you take dexlansoprazole and are also going to receive a dose of methotrexate, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Other stomach problems: Even if you experience improvement in acid-related symptoms, it is still possible to have serious underlying stomach problems such as stomach cancer. Talk to your doctor if you have other symptoms of stomach problems such as loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, a bloated feeling after eating, changes in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss or fatigue.
Skin reactions: Rarely, people taking dexlansoprazole experience a severe skin reaction that can be life-threatening. These reactions may start as a skin rash that blisters, causes sores on the lips and eyes, or covers a large area of the body. It can develop into an exfoliating skin condition, with peeling, shedding, or scaling of the skin. Depending on the cause of the reaction, swollen glands, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or other organ involvement may occur. If you experience any of these symptoms, or any other unusual skin reaction of the skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE): Other proton pump inhibitors have been rarely associated with SCLE, an autoimmune disease. If you develop any skin lesions, especially in areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, and if accompanied by muscle aches or pains, contact your doctor immediately.
Vitamin B12: Long-term use of dexlansoprazole may lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. If you are a vegetarian or have low vitamin B12 levels, discuss with your doctor whether any special monitoring is required.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be taken during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if dexlansoprazole passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children under 12 years old.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Dexilant
