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alosetron vs dexlansoprazole

Side-by-side comparison of alosetron and dexlansoprazole Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
alosetron 5-HT3 Antagonist (IBS-D)
dexlansoprazole Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)
Type
alosetron Prescription
dexlansoprazole Prescription
Summary
alosetron

Alosetron (Lotronex) is a medicine for women with severe diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It helps to reduce diarrhea and stomach pain.

dexlansoprazole

Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant) is a medicine that lowers stomach acid. It belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

What It Treats
alosetron

Alosetron is used to treat severe diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women. It is for women whose IBS symptoms have lasted for 6 months or longer. You should have already ruled out other possible causes of your symptoms. This medicine is only for you if other treatments have not worked well enough.

dexlansoprazole

This medicine can help heal damage to your esophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach). It can also help with heartburn caused by acid reflux. Dexlansoprazole can also treat heartburn from GERD, a condition where stomach acid flows back into your esophagus.

How It Works
alosetron

Alosetron blocks a substance called serotonin in your gut. Serotonin can speed up bowel movements. By blocking serotonin, alosetron slows down your bowel and reduces diarrhea.

dexlansoprazole

Dexlansoprazole works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It does this by blocking a specific system in your stomach cells. This helps to heal damage caused by stomach acid.

Common Side Effects
alosetron
  • Constipation
  • Abdominal discomfort and pain
  • Nausea
  • Gastrointestinal discomfort and pain
dexlansoprazole
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Vomiting
FAERS Reports
alosetron
  • Medicine not working 11
  • Diarrhea 10
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 8
  • Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 7
  • Stomach pain 6
dexlansoprazole
  • Long-term kidney disease 16,100
  • Sudden kidney damage 7,791
  • Kidney failure 6,721
  • Kidney failure requiring dialysis 4,842
  • Kidney damage 4,339
Serious Warnings
alosetron

Alosetron can cause serious gut problems, like ischemic colitis (reduced blood flow to the bowel) and severe constipation. These problems can lead to hospitalization, surgery, or even death. Stop taking alosetron right away if you get constipated or have symptoms of ischemic colitis, like bloody diarrhea or bad stomach pain. Call your doctor immediately.

dexlansoprazole

Dexlansoprazole may hide signs of stomach cancer, so tell your doctor if your symptoms don't improve. It can also cause kidney problems, severe diarrhea from a Clostridium difficile infection, and bone fractures with long-term use. Some people may have severe skin reactions or lupus. Long-term use may also lead to low vitamin B12 or magnesium levels.

Pregnancy
alosetron

It is not known if alosetron can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if alosetron passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take alosetron.

dexlansoprazole

Based on animal studies, this medicine may harm a developing baby's bones. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This alosetron vs dexlansoprazole Comparison

alosetron is classified in the 5-HT3 Antagonist (IBS-D) drug class, while dexlansoprazole sits within the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, alosetron has 42 submissions while dexlansoprazole has 39,793. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between alosetron and dexlansoprazole — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.