The drug known as Dexilant is prescribed for the treatment of heartburn that results from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as erosive esophagitis that occurs when stomach acid damages the esophagus. Damage to the esophagus and heartburn can make your life absolutely miserable, but prescription medications such as Dexilant, which consists of a drug called dexlansoprazole, can help you experience much less pain and increase your quality of life.
What Is Dexilant/Dexlansoprazole?
So, just what is dexlansoprazole? Dexlansoprazole is the generic name for the drug Dexilant, which is prescribed to treat heartburn caused by GERD. It is an oral medication that normally comes in a time-release capsule, and it is available in doses of both 30 mg and 60 mg. Besides Dexilant, it is also used in the drug called Kapidex. While Dexlansoprazole is used mostly for heartburn due to GERD, there are other uses for the drug as well, although they are much less common.
One of the first things you need to know about Dexlansoprazole is that it can cause kidney problems, so always let your doctor know if you are experiencing less-frequent urination or blood in your urine. If you get diarrhea, especially watery or blood-filled diarrhea, when taking Dexlansoprazole, this might be a sign of infection, so you’ll need to inform your doctor of that as well.
In addition, new or worsening symptoms of lupus may result while taking this drug, which is usually indicated by skin rashes or joint pain. Finally, if you take more than one dose of Dexlansoprazole per day or you’re on it long-term, it may increase your risk of experiencing a broken bone.
What You Need to Tell Your Doctor Before Taking Dexilant
Just like other medications, there are certain people who should not take Dexilant. Keep in mind that heartburn is often one of the symptoms of a heart attack, so it should always be taken seriously. If you have heartburn that is accompanied by pain in the jaw and shoulder area or with a feeling of lightheadedness or anxiety, you should seek medical attention immediately. If you are allergic to any ingredient in Dexilant, you should not take the drug. You should also avoid it if you experience any of the following:
● You are taking a drug with the ingredient rilpivirine, such as Edurant, Odefsey, and Complera
● You have had problems taking this drug in the past, such as a severe allergic reaction, breathing problems, or kidney problems
● You have had osteoporosis or osteopenia (low bone mineral density)
● You have experienced low levels of magnesium in your blood
● You have had severe liver disease in the past
● You are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or nursing, you cannot take Dexilant. Always use birth control when you take Dexilant and let the doctor know immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medication. In addition, keep in mind that this drug is approved only for people ages 12 and up, which means it cannot be given to children under the age of 12. Since Dexilant can increase your odds of experiencing a broken bone, you should talk to your doctor about what you can do to strengthen your bones while taking this drug.
Dexilant: Taking It Correctly
Naturally, you have to take Dexilant correctly in order for it to be effective. First of all, Dexilant can be taken either with or without food, but you also need to take it with a full glass of water. It is in capsule form, so you’ll need to swallow it whole. If you feel like you’re unable to swallow it whole, open it up and sprinkle its contents into some applesauce and eat it that way. It should never be broken or chewed.
Doctors usually prescribe Dexilant for temporary use, which means up to 6 months for adults and roughly 4-16 weeks for patients between the ages of 12 and 17. Keep taking the medication for the length of time prescribed, even if you start to feel better. If your symptoms don’t improve or they become worse, make sure you let your doctor know immediately. Always store the medication at room temperature away from heat, and always take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Certain medical tests, including drug-screening urine tests, can be affected when you’re taking Dexilant, which means you’ll have to let the technicians know you’re taking this medication if you need any of these types of tests. If you happen to miss a dose of your Dexilant, do not double up the next time. Simply take the medication as you normally would the next time you take it. If you accidentally take more than what’s prescribed and you’re worried about an overdose, make sure you call the US Poison Control Hotline at 800-222-1222.
Possible Side Effects Associated With Dexilant
As with many other medications, taking Dexilant can result in either mild or severe side effects, which not everyone will experience. That being said, it’s good to know what the side effects are so you can recognize them if they occur. Here are some of the severe side effects that need to be reported to your doctor immediately:
● Seizures or convulsions
● Any severe stomach problems, such as pain and diarrhea
● Any severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the facial area, breathing difficulties, or hives
● Pain or stiffness in the back, hip, or wrist areas
● Symptoms of kidney problems, such as infrequent urination, weight gain, or loss of appetite
● Symptoms of low magnesium include irregular heartbeat, jerking movements or spasms, feeling jittery, or dizziness
All of these symptoms need to be reported to your doctor immediately because they are potentially dangerous. There’s no need to panic because it could mean you simply need a different dosage of the medication, but only a doctor will know that for sure. Some of the more common and less serious side effects of Dexilant include:
● Headache
● Mouth or throat pain
● Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose or sinus pain
● Mild diarrhea
● Stomach problems such as pain, gas, or vomiting
The thing is, it’s best to let your doctor know about any side effects you are having. If they are mild, you can contact them at your earliest convenience. For more severe side effects, call them immediately and if you get the answering service, make sure you tell them you need to hear from the doctor as soon as possible. If the symptoms are severe enough or you’re in a lot of pain, you’d be better off calling 911 because it might be a true emergency.
Does Dexilant Come in Generic Form?
In May of 2017, the US FDA approved Dexilant in generic form (Dexlansoprazole), but only for the 60 mg dose. This means you likely won’t be able to find it in generic form if your doctor prescribes the 30 mg dosage. Of course, if you go get this prescription filled, it is possible that you won’t find either dosage in generic form, which means researching online pharmacies that offer discount prices is your best bet. Just because the generic form of Dexilant has been approved doesn’t mean it is going to be widely available anytime soon.
Other Things You Need to Know
Dexilant has been known to interact not only with other prescription medications but also with certain over-the-counter medications, not to mention vitamins and herbal supplements. This is why it’s so important to disclose to your doctor everything you are taking. Some of the things that can interact with Dexilant include:
● Aspirin
● Vitamin B12
● Vitamin D3
● St. John’s Wort
● Xanax
● Zyrtec
● Metformin
● Cymbalta
● Methotrexate
● Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
When you go for your examination, tell the doctor about your complete medical history, any medications you take now or took in the past, any medical conditions you might have, or even over-the-counter, non-prescription products you are taking. Your doctor needs to know everything in order to determine whether it’s safe for you to take Dexilant and what your dose should be. No detail is considered unimportant, so don’t leave anything out when speaking with your doctor.
Conclusion
Dexilant, or Dexlansoprazole, is a prescription medication given for the treatment of heartburn. It is usually prescribed in 30mg or 60mg doses, but as of this writing, only the 60mg is approved for generic use. This doesn’t mean that either dose is easy to get in generic form, but again, there are online pharmacies that will save you money on Dexilant and many other prescriptions.
Usually, Dexilant is prescribed for temporary use only, up to 6 months for adults and up to 4 months for patients 13-17 years old. You should always take this medication just as prescribed by your doctor to ensure it will be safe. Take it whole with a full glass of water, either on a full or empty stomach. Dexilant is a very effective medication that relieves heartburn pain, but it does still cause side effects in some people. If you suffer from any side effects, even minor ones, you must inform your doctor immediately.
