Dexlansoprazole
About Dexlansoprazole
Dexlansoprazole is a prescription oral medication primarily used to treat frequent heartburn and acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is also prescribed to heal inflammation and ulcers in the food pipe caused by excess stomach acid. This medication belongs to a group of medicines that lower the amount of acid your stomach produces.
For the best results, you should take this medication daily at the same time each day to maintain consistent acid control. You can take Dexlansoprazole with or without food, as its unique design allows it to work effectively regardless of meal times. Making key dietary adjustments, such as avoiding spicy or fatty foods, and implementing lifestyle changes like elevating the head of your bed, can further improve your results.
While taking this medication, you may experience mild, temporary side effects like mild diarrhoea, stomach pain, or nausea. However, if you develop severe watery stools that do not go away, persistent muscle cramps, or signs of a severe allergic reaction, you must consult your doctor immediately.
Before starting Dexlansoprazole, tell your doctor if you have severe liver damage or low magnesium levels in your blood. Do not take this if you are allergic to similar acid-reducing medications, as severe allergic reactions can occur. It is also important to tell your doctor if you have a history of bone density issues or osteoporosis.
This medicine can interact with certain HIV drugs, blood thinners, and iron supplements, which may change how these treatments work in your body. Drinking alcohol or smoking can also increase stomach acid and worsen your symptoms, making the medication less effective. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to weigh the benefits and potential risks before starting.
Uses of Dexlansoprazole
Medicinal Benefits
Dexlansoprazole helps provide long-lasting relief from heartburn and acid reflux symptoms by reducing excess stomach acid. It supports healing of the food pipe and helps improve comfort during daily activities, meals, and sleep. Benefits may include:
- Provides long-lasting relief from heartburn and acid reflux symptoms.
- Reduces burning sensations in the chest and throat.
- Supports healing of acid-related damage to the food pipe (oesophagus).
- Makes swallowing food more comfortable by reducing irritation and inflammation.
- Helps improve sleep by controlling nighttime acid reflux symptoms.
- Reduces the risk of recurring acid damage and long-term complications associated with reflux disease.
Directions for Use
To get the most benefit from Dexlansoprazole, follow these step-by-step instructions:
- Take the capsule exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water. Do not chew, crush, or break the capsule, as this can destroy its protective coating.
- If you have trouble swallowing the capsule whole, you can open it and sprinkle the small granules onto a tablespoon of applesauce. Swallow this mixture immediately without chewing the granules.
- Always follow your doctor's exact instructions regarding how long to continue taking your medication, even if your symptoms improve quickly.
Storage
Side Effects of Dexlansoprazole
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Gas or bloating
- Common cold symptoms, such as a stuffy nose or sore throat
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Severe, watery diarrhea with fever and stomach cramps that does not stop
- New or worsening joint pain and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun
- Seizures, muscle spasms, tremors, or an irregular heartbeat
- Sudden kidney problems, including changes in how often you urinate or blood in your urine
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, and difficulty breathing
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Drug Warnings
- Monitor bone health: Taking this medicine for a long time (more than a year) may increase your risk of bone fractures, especially in the hip, wrist, or spine. Talk to your doctor about whether you need calcium or vitamin D supplements.
- Watch for low magnesium: Long-term use can lower magnesium levels in your body. Tell your doctor if you experience tremors, muscle weakness, or a racing heart.
- Check for Vitamin B12 levels: Using acid reducers for more than three years can make it harder for your body to absorb Vitamin B12. Talk to your doctor if you experience unusual fatigue or tingling in your hands or feet.
- Do not stop suddenly: Stopping this medication too quickly can cause a temporary increase in stomach acid. Always consult your doctor before ending your treatment.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions
- Medicines that require stomach acid for absorption (e.g., ketoconazole, iron supplements, certain HIV medicines): Taking these alongside Dexlansoprazole may reduce their absorption and make them less effective.
- Blood thinners (e.g., warfarin): Combining these medicines with Dexlansoprazole may increase the risk of bleeding and may require closer monitoring.
- Anticancer medicine (e.g., methotrexate): Taking methotrexate with Dexlansoprazole may increase methotrexate levels in the body, raising the risk of serious side effects and toxicity.
Drug-Food Interactions
- No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions
- Liver disease: Patients with liver impairment may require closer monitoring or dose adjustments, as the liver plays an important role in processing Dexlansoprazole.
- Osteoporosis: Long-term use of Dexlansoprazole may increase the risk of bone loss and fractures in people with weakened bones.
- Lupus: Dexlansoprazole may trigger or worsen symptoms of cutaneous lupus erythematosus or systemic lupus erythematosus in susceptible individuals.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Dexlansoprazole. Alcohol intake leads to increased production of stomach acid, thereby increases acidity and heartburn.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorDexlansoprazole is safe for a woman who is pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Please consult your doctor before taking Dexlansoprazole.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorDo not take Dexlansoprazole if you are breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Driving
unsafeDexlansoprazole may cause dizziness and sleepiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDexlansoprazole to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may have to adjust the dose.
Kidney
cautionDexlansoprazole should be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may have to adjust the dose. Consult a doctor if you are urinating less than usual or if you have blood in your urine.
Children
unsafeDexlansoprazole should not be given to children as safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Identify and avoid trigger foods: Limit your intake of spicy, fatty, acidic (like citrus and tomatoes), and caffeinated foods and drinks that can trigger acid reflux.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals: Large meals can put pressure on your stomach valve, causing acid to leak upward.
- Stay upright after eating: Avoid lying down or sleeping for at least two to three hours after a meal to let gravity keep acid in your stomach.
- Elevate your head during sleep: Raise the head of your bed by six inches using bed risers to help prevent acid reflux overnight.
- Wear loose clothing: Tight belts or pants can compress your abdomen, forcing acid up into your food pipe.
Special Advise
- Inform your doctor before taking Dexlansoprazole if you are due to have a Chromogranin A blood test.
- Dexlansoprazole may cause abnormal blood and liver enzyme values. Inform the person doing the tests that you are taking Dexlansoprazole.
- Regular consultation with your doctor to examine good bone mineral density.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Acidity: The stomach is usually protected from acid by a mucous layer. In some cases, however, due to excess acid production, the mucous layer gets eroded, leading to complications like acidity, GERD, heartburn, peptic ulcer, and corrosive esophagitis.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition that occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the food pipe (oesophagus). This backflow (acid reflux) irritates the food pipe and causes heartburn. Factors that can contribute to GERD include chocolate, foods containing caffeine, spicy or fried foods, pregnancy or obesity, lying down after a meal, drinking alcohol, or smoking.
Corrosive Esophagitis: This is a condition that occurs when harmful substances damage the oesophagus, a pipe that connects the mouth to the stomach. The damage may cause ulcers, inflammation, or scarring. Possible causes include swallowing strong chemicals such as dishwashing liquid, detergents, drain cleaners, radiation therapy, and certain pills, including pain medicines and drugs for osteoporosis (weak bones).
FAQs
Dexlansoprazole is used to treat heartburn caused by stomach problems, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and erosive oesophagitis.
Dexlansoprazole works by blocking the action of the enzyme known as the gastric proton pump responsible for acid production. This reduces the amount of acid produced, heals the ulcers, and prevents new ulcers.
Diarrhea might be a side-effect of Dexlansoprazole. Drink lots of fluids and eat food rich in fiber. If you find blood in stools (tarry stools) or if you experience excess diarrhea consult your doctor. Prolonged intake of Dexlansoprazole is linked with a greater risk of diarrhea, so if you develop diarrhea that does not improve, immediately consult a doctor.
Talk to your doctor if you do not feel better even after taking Dexlansoprazole for 14 days. Do not take Dexlansoprazole for longer durations unless prescribed by the doctor. If Dexlansoprazole is prescribed for longer durations, a regular check-up is advised.
Do not discontinue Dexlansoprazole without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectually continue taking Dexlansoprazole for as long as prescribed. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you feel any difficulty while taking Dexlansoprazole.
On long term treatment, Dexlansoprazole might increase the risk of fractures. Inform your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids.
Dexlansoprazole may cause or worsen the symptoms of lupus so consult with your doctor if you are noticing joint pain and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that get worsen in sunlight.
A person dealing with any type of disease including severe liver disease, osteoporosis, low bone mineral density (osteopenia), low levels of magnesium in your blood should consult with a doctor before taking Dexlansoprazole.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Dexlansoprazole. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might help in stimulating saliva and thereby prevents drying of the mouth.
Dexlansoprazole should be taken for as long as it has been prescribed by the doctor. The doctor will determine the duration of the treatment based on your condition.
Dexlansoprazole helps treat gastroesophageal reflux disease by reducing the amount of acid made by the stomach.
Dexlansoprazole lowers calcium absorption leading to calcium deficiency and osteoporosis. This might increase the risk of fractures. Your doctor might recommend calcium supplements to prevent this.
Yes, Dexlansoprazole may cause hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels). Consult the doctor if you experience symptoms of low magnesium such as dizziness, seizures, abnormal or fast heartbeat, tremors (jerking movements or shaking), muscle weakness, and muscle aches.
You can take Dexlansoprazole with or without food. However, taking it before a meal is often recommended to help control acid more effectively throughout the day. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for the best schedule for your routine.
The potential side effects of Dexlansoprazole are headache, effects on your stomach or gut, diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, gas (flatulence), feeling sick (nausea), or being sick (vomiting). Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these undesirable effects persistently.
Dexlansoprazole may have interaction with a pain killer (aspirin, naproxen), anti-depressant (duloxetine, amitriptyline), blood thinner (clopidogrel), a drug used to treat hypothyroidism (levothyroxine), anti-HIV (atazanavir), anti-fungal (ketoconazole, itraconazole), anti-cancer (methotrexate), vitamin (cyanocobalamin), and medicines to help you to sleep or feel more relaxed (such as diazepam or zolpidem). Let the doctor know if you are taking these medicines to prevent any interactions.
Do not take Dexlansoprazole if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform the doctor if you have severe liver disease, osteoporosis, low bone mineral density (osteopenia), and low levels of magnesium.
Store Dexlansoprazole at room temperature, in a dry place. Keep out of sight and reach of children.
Yes. If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, you can carefully open it and sprinkle the intact granules onto a tablespoon of applesauce. Swallow the mixture immediately without chewing the granules. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need more tips on taking your medication.
While Dexlansoprazole starts working within a few hours to reduce stomach acid, it may take several days of consistent daily use before you feel full relief from heartburn. It is not designed for immediate relief of occasional heartburn. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Yes, you can generally take antacids while using Dexlansoprazole if you need quick, temporary relief while the medication builds up in your system. However, consult your doctor or pharmacist first to make sure this is safe for your specific treatment plan.
While alcohol does not directly stop Dexlansoprazole from working, alcohol can irritate your stomach lining and make your acid reflux symptoms worse. For the best healing results, it is best to limit or avoid alcohol. Talk to your doctor for personalized advice.
Stopping this medicine suddenly can cause a temporary spike in stomach acid, known as acid rebound. If your symptoms return, do not start taking the medication again on your own. Talk to your doctor to see if you need to gradually lower your dose.
When taken for more than a year, Dexlansoprazole may increase the risk of bone fractures, kidney issues, low magnesium, or poor Vitamin B12 absorption. Your doctor will monitor your health if you require long-term therapy. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about long-term use.
There is limited research on the effects of Dexlansoprazole during pregnancy. You should only use it if clearly needed and recommended by a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss safer options if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
