Dexlansoprazole
Pronunciation: deks-lan-SOE-pra-zole.
- Generic name
- dexlansoprazole
- Drug class
- Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
- Form
- Delayed-release capsule (30 mg, 60 mg)
- Route
- Oral
- Legal status
- Prescription-only
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What dexlansoprazole is and how it works
Dexlansoprazole is a prescription-only proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. It is used to heal and manage acid-related damage to the food pipe (oesophagus) and to treat symptoms of acid reflux. (1)
Take dexlansoprazole exactly as your prescriber directs. For long-term use, your prescriber will periodically review whether you still need it, because long-term PPI use carries some real, if uncommon, risks. Do not stop taking it suddenly without talking to your prescriber, since your stomach can temporarily produce more acid than usual (rebound acid) after stopping.
Mechanism of action: how dexlansoprazole works
Dexlansoprazole is the R-enantiomer of lansoprazole, formulated with a dual delayed-release (DDR) technology that releases the active drug in two separate pH-dependent phases, producing a longer duration of intragastric acid suppression than a single-release PPI dose. It irreversibly inhibits the H+/K+-ATPase proton pump on the gastric parietal cell. (1)
What dexlansoprazole is used for
Healing erosive esophagitis
Used to heal all grades of erosive esophagitis (acid damage to the lining of the food pipe), usually for up to 8 weeks. (1)
Maintaining healed erosive esophagitis and relieving heartburn
Used at a lower maintenance dose to keep erosive esophagitis healed and to relieve heartburn over a longer period (6 months in adults; 16 weeks in adolescents aged 12-17). (1)
Symptomatic non-erosive reflux disease (GERD)
Used for short-term (up to 4 weeks) treatment of heartburn symptoms in people with GERD who do not have visible erosion of the food pipe. (1)
Before taking dexlansoprazole
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not take dexlansoprazole if you have had a serious allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. (all countries) (1)
- Do not take dexlansoprazole together with rilpivirine-containing HIV medicines -- this combination is specifically avoided because dexlansoprazole can reduce rilpivirine's absorption. (United States) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any liver problems, especially moderate or severe liver disease.
- Low magnesium, calcium, or vitamin B12 levels, or any condition that puts you at risk of these.
- A history of bone thinning (osteoporosis) or fractures.
- A history of lupus, or any autoimmune condition.
- Kidney problems.
- Whether your symptoms are not improving, or you have unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or vomiting blood, which need further assessment before starting or continuing a PPI.
- All other medicines you take, especially HIV medicines, warfarin-type blood thinners, methotrexate, or digoxin.
- Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
How to take dexlansoprazole
- Take dexlansoprazole once daily, exactly as your prescriber directs, with or without food.
- Swallow the capsule whole. If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, ask your prescriber or pharmacist about alternative ways to take it, such as opening the capsule and mixing the contents with soft food or water, following their exact instructions.
- Do not stop taking dexlansoprazole or change your dose without your prescriber's guidance, especially after long-term use -- your prescriber will plan any change with you.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3)
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose -- in that case, skip the missed dose and continue your normal schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Contact your prescriber or pharmacist if you are unsure.
Overdose
Seek urgent medical attention if you think you have taken too much dexlansoprazole. (1)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.
Diarrhoea.
What to notice: Diarrhoea.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Abdominal pain.
What to notice: Abdominal pain.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Nausea or vomiting.
What to notice: Nausea or vomiting.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Upper respiratory tract infection symptoms.
What to notice: Upper respiratory tract infection symptoms.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Flatulence.
What to notice: Flatulence.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Headache (more common in adolescents aged 12-17).
What to notice: Headache (more common in adolescents aged 12-17).
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Serious warnings
Bone fracture risk with long-term use — high caution
Symptoms: New or unexplained pain, especially in the hip, wrist, or spine.
Action: Discuss your individual fracture risk with your prescriber, especially if you use dexlansoprazole long-term or at higher doses. Your prescriber will use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time appropriate for your condition. (1)
Low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia) — high caution
Symptoms: Muscle spasms or cramps, irregular heartbeat, tremor, or seizures. This can occur with prolonged treatment, typically three months or longer.
Action: Contact your prescriber promptly if you notice these symptoms. Your prescriber may check your magnesium levels periodically during long-term treatment and may recommend magnesium supplements or, in some cases, that dexlansoprazole be reconsidered. (1)
Severe or persistent diarrhoea (possible C. difficile infection) — high caution
Symptoms: Watery or bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and fever, which can occur during or after PPI treatment.
Action: Contact your prescriber promptly if you develop persistent or severe diarrhoea, since PPIs including dexlansoprazole are associated with an increased risk of this bowel infection. (1)
Kidney inflammation (acute tubulointerstitial nephritis) — high caution
Symptoms: Reduced urination, blood in the urine, fatigue, or swelling, which can occur at any point during treatment.
Action: Contact your prescriber promptly if these occur; this condition typically requires stopping the medicine under clinician direction and further evaluation. (1)
New or worsening lupus symptoms — high caution
Symptoms: New joint pain or a rash on the cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.
Action: Contact your prescriber promptly, as PPIs including dexlansoprazole have been associated with new-onset or worsening cutaneous or systemic lupus erythematosus; your prescriber may refer you to a specialist. (1)
Symptoms not improving, or masking a more serious condition — high caution
Symptoms: Persistent symptoms despite treatment, unexplained weight loss, difficulty swallowing, or vomiting blood.
Action: Feeling better on dexlansoprazole does not rule out a more serious underlying condition. Tell your prescriber if your symptoms do not improve or if you develop any of these warning symptoms, as further tests may be needed. (1)
Interactions
- Rilpivirine (an HIV medicine): should not be taken together with dexlansoprazole, as it can significantly reduce rilpivirine's absorption. (1)
- Other HIV medicines such as atazanavir or nelfinavir may need closer monitoring or dose adjustment when combined with dexlansoprazole. (1)
- Warfarin-type blood thinners: your prescriber may check your blood clotting (INR) more closely. (1)
- High-dose methotrexate: levels may be increased; your prescriber may temporarily pause dexlansoprazole around a methotrexate course. (1)
- Digoxin: your prescriber may monitor your digoxin levels more closely. (1)
- Medicines that need stomach acid to be absorbed properly may not work as well when taken with dexlansoprazole. (1)
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
Animal studies suggest a possible effect on fetal bone growth and development, but the available human data reviewed have not shown an increased risk of major birth defects. Discuss the benefits and risks with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3)
Breastfeeding
There is no human breastfeeding data specifically for dexlansoprazole in the source reviewed. Discuss with your prescriber before breastfeeding while taking this medicine. (1) (2) (3)
Children
Not recommended for children under 12 years of age based on the source reviewed. (1) (2) (3)
Elderly
No specific dose adjustment based on age alone is described in the source reviewed, but long-term risks such as fracture and vitamin B12 deficiency may be more relevant with age -- discuss ongoing need with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3)
Hepatic_impairment
No adjustment needed for mild liver impairment. For moderate liver impairment, the dose for healing erosive esophagitis is typically reduced to 30 mg daily. Not recommended for people with severe liver impairment. (1) (2) (3)
Renal_impairment
No dose adjustment is generally needed, as dexlansoprazole is mainly cleared by the liver rather than the kidneys. (1) (2) (3)
Source_ids
Monitoring
Before starting
- Confirmation of the diagnosis (and exclusion of alarm symptoms needing further investigation)
- Baseline magnesium level if long-term use or other risk factors are present
- Liver function if impairment is suspected
During treatment
- Periodic review of whether ongoing treatment is still needed, especially for long-term use.
- Magnesium level checks with prolonged treatment or if other risk factors are present.
- Watching for new bone pain, persistent diarrhoea, kidney symptoms, or lupus-type symptoms.
Storage
Store at room temperature (about 20-25C / 68-77F), with brief excursions to 15-30C (59-86F) permitted. Keep out of reach of children.
Study the drug class: Proton pump inhibitors
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only, sourced from current US FDA prescribing information reviewed for this dossier; verify against the current full label before prescribing.
United States
Indication: Erosive esophagitis (healing and maintenance), symptomatic non-erosive GERD
Dose summary: EE healing: 60 mg once daily for up to 8 weeks. Maintenance of healed EE: 30 mg once daily for up to 6 months (adults) or 16 weeks (ages 12-17). Symptomatic non-erosive GERD: 30 mg once daily for 4 weeks. Taken without regard to food.
Renal context: No dosage adjustment necessary (extensively hepatically metabolised). (1)
Hepatic guidance
No adjustment for mild impairment; reduce to 30 mg daily for EE healing in moderate impairment; not recommended in severe hepatic impairment.
Overdose note
Limited overdose experience is described in the source reviewed; management would be expected to be supportive, guided by the treating clinician. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Is dexlansoprazole (Dexilant) available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?
It is confirmed approved in the United States, Canada, and nationally across the European Union. We could not confirm current marketing in the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand from official regulator sources -- if you are outside the US, Canada, or EU, check with a local pharmacist or your prescriber about availability in your country. (1) (2) (3)
Is it safe to take dexlansoprazole long-term?
Many people take PPIs like dexlansoprazole long-term safely, but long-term use is linked to a modestly increased risk of bone fracture, low magnesium levels, a bowel infection called C. difficile-associated diarrhoea, and vitamin B12 deficiency. Your prescriber will periodically review whether you still need it and at what dose. (1)
Can I just stop taking dexlansoprazole if my symptoms improve?
Talk to your prescriber before stopping, especially after taking it for a while. Your stomach can temporarily make more acid than usual (rebound acid hypersecretion) after stopping a PPI, so your prescriber may suggest a specific way to reduce or stop it. (1)
What is the mechanism of action of dexlansoprazole?
Dexlansoprazole is the R-enantiomer of lansoprazole, formulated with a dual delayed-release (DDR) technology that releases the active drug in two separate pH-dependent phases, producing a longer duration of intragastric acid suppression than a single-release PPI dose. It irreversibly inhibits the H+/K+-ATPase proton pump on the gastric parietal cell. (1)
What is the generic name of Dexlansoprazole?
The generic name is dexlansoprazole. (1)
What class of drug is dexlansoprazole?
Dexlansoprazole is classed as: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI). (1)
References
- DEXILANT (dexlansoprazole) delayed-release capsules -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, Takeda Pharmaceuticals · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
- DEXILANT (dexlansoprazole) Product MonographHealth Canada product monograph, Takeda Canada Inc. · Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
- Dexlansoprazole, lansoprazole -- list of nationally authorised medicinal products (PSUSA/00001827)European Medicines Agency (EMA) · European Union · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient dexlansoprazole names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Dexilant60 mg, 30 mg · takeda pharmaceuticals america, inc.
Canada
- DEXILANT
View brands in additional countries.
European Union
Dexilant (30 mg capsule) (3)