Two medicines, side by side
Dexlansoprazole vs esomeprazole
Dexlansoprazole and esomeprazole are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dexlansoprazole since 2009 and of esomeprazole since 2001. Pharmacies paid $3.71 per dexlansoprazole DR 60 mg capsule and $0.145 per esomeprazole mag DR 20 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the dexlansoprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 17, 2025); the esomeprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 19, 2024).
Highlights of the dexlansoprazole record
Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant) · label of February 17, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsDEXILANT is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) indicated in patients 12 years of age and older for: Healing of all grades of erosive esophagitis (EE). ( 1.1 ) Maintenance of healed EE and relief of heartburn. ( 1.2 ) Treatment of symptomatic non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 30, 2009
- Generic labelers
- 9 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $3.71 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the esomeprazole record
Esomeprazole (Nexium) · label of March 19, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationstreats frequent heartburn (occurs 2 or more days a week) not intended for immediate relief of heartburn; this drug may take 1 to 4 days for full effect
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 20, 2001
- Generic labelers
- 116 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.145 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 12
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dexlansoprazole label of February 17, 2025, Esomeprazole label of March 19, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dexlansoprazole and esomeprazole differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class proton pump inhibitors.
Generics: dexlansoprazole since 2017; esomeprazole since 2013 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dexlansoprazole | Esomeprazole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acid reflux and ulcers | Acid reflux and ulcers |
| Pharmacologic class | Proton Pump Inhibitor | Proton Pump Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Dexlansoprazole belongs to a class of antisecretory compounds, the substituted benzimidazoles, that suppress gastric acid secretion by specific inhibition of the (H + , K + )-ATPase at the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cell. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | NT Once Daily for 7 Days Dose C max (ng/mL) AUC tau (ng∙h/mL) CL/F (L/h) 30 mg (N=17) 691 (53) 2,886 (47) 12.8 (48) 60 mg (N=18) 1,136 (51) 5,120 (58) 15.3 (49) Age: Geriatric Population The terminal elimination … | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 30, 2009 | February 20, 2001 |
| First generic approved | April 19, 2017 | March 18, 2013 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 9 labelers | 116 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $3.71 per capsule (Dexlansoprazole DR 60 mg capsule) | $0.145 per capsule (Esomeprazole mag DR 20 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -18% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 12 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 41,466 | 235,202 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to dexlansoprazole
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions