Dexilant 30mg Capsule
Dexilant is a medication that is used for treating heartburn that is caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This medication can also be used to heal erosive esophagitis, which is damage that is caused to the esophagus due to stomach acid.
Dexilant can also be used for other purposes as prescribed by a doctor. This medication is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that is made to provide delayed release protection for the esophagus from stomach acid.
What is Dexilant?
Dexilant is used to treat acid reflux and stomach discomfort, and other problems. Dexilant is in a class of medications that are called proton pump inhibitors. Dexilant is a version of the drug that is called dexlansoprazole. This medication was FDA approved in 2009, and it is stated that it is used to treat issues with the stomach and the esophagus.
This medication cannot be given to children younger than two years of age due to the risk of side effects.
How Does Dexilant Work?
This medication works by halting the production of stomach acid. This means that reflux, as well as conditions related to ulcers, are easier to manage and prevent while a person takes this medication. Reducing the acid in the stomach can allow tissues to heal and help to prevent erosion of the esophagus.
This is a delayed-release medication that will continue to work many hours after it has been taken. This helps to prevent excess stomach acid for hours after a single dose.
Dosage and Storage
The recommended dosage for this medication is 30 mg once daily for up to 6 months. There are also 60 mg tablets that can be taken for more serious conditions. When taking this medication for maintenance of healed EE, you will take 30 mg once daily for four weeks.
This medication should be taken with a full glass of water. Dexilant pills cannot be chewed and must be swallowed whole. Dexilant can be taken with or without food. If you cannot swallow the pill whole, you will need to take it with applesauce.
In cases where Dexilant is being taken to heal erosive esophagitis or to relieve heartburn, you will take this medication for six months in adults. Children 12 through 17 years of age will take this medication for 4 to 16 weeks. Follow the dosing instructions of your doctor carefully when taking Dexilant.
Continue to take this medication as directed by your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. Tell any doctor that is treating you for other conditions that you are taking Dexilant. This medication might also cause you to have false results on a urine sample for drug screening. Tell the laboratory that you are taking this medication.
Dexilant can be stored at room temperature away from excess heat and moisture. It should be sealed in an airtight container.
SIDE EFFECTS
The common side effects of Dexilant are as follows:
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Gas
- Stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Cold symptoms
WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS
Before you take Dexilant, you will need to tell your doctor if you are allergic to similar drugs in the same class, such as lansoprazole or omeprazole. You will also want to disclose any other allergies that you might have. This product contains inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions in some.
You will also need to tell your doctor if you have a medical history of lupus or liver disease. Make sure to seek medical help right away if you have heartburn, lightheadedness, sweating, dizziness, or chest and shoulder pain. Also, seek attention if you have shortness of breath and unusual sweating or weight loss. These can be symptoms of a more serious reaction to Dexilant.
Proton pump inhibitors can increase your risk for bone fractures, and the longer that you use these medications, the more likely that you will suffer bone density issues. You need to limit the time that you take this medication to prevent irreversible bone loss. You can offset some of the damage to your bone density with calcium citrate and vitamin D supplements.
INTERACTIONS
Dexilant can interact with other medications that you might be taking. You will need to tell your doctor about any other medications that you are taking.
Methotrexate, particularly in high doses, will interact negatively with this drug. Some other products and medications require stomach acid to work properly. Dexilant will decrease your stomach acid, which can create issues with the way other medications work.
Affected products might be the following:
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Posaconazole
- Rilpivirine
- Azole antifungals
- Erlotinib
- Atazanavir
- Ampicillin
- Levoketoconazole
- Nelfinavir
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Do not take Dexilant with lansoprazole. These products are very similar in nature and cannot be combined. Do not take Dexilant if you are allergic to any of the components of this medication. This medication can interfere with the function of some medications, such as antibiotics.