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dexlansoprazole vs lansoprazole

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

Drug Class
dexlansoprazole Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)
lansoprazole Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)
Type
dexlansoprazole Prescription
lansoprazole Over-the-Counter
Summary
dexlansoprazole

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

lansoprazole

Lansoprazole is a medicine that reduces the amount of acid in your stomach. It belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

What It Treats
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.

lansoprazole

Lansoprazole can treat several conditions caused by too much stomach acid. It can heal duodenal and gastric ulcers. It also treats heartburn (GERD) and a damaged esophagus (erosive esophagitis).

How It Works
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.

lansoprazole

Lansoprazole works by blocking the enzyme in the stomach that produces acid. This helps to lower the amount of acid made. Lowering acid helps to heal damage and relieve symptoms.

Common Side Effects
dexlansoprazole
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Vomiting
lansoprazole
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
FAERS Reports
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
lansoprazole
  • Long-term kidney disease 32,775
  • Sudden kidney damage 18,670
  • Kidney failure 13,811
  • Kidney failure requiring dialysis 9,782
  • Kidney damage 9,520
Serious Warnings
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.

lansoprazole

Lansoprazole may hide the symptoms of stomach cancer. If you have a poor response or early return of symptoms, your doctor may do more tests. Long-term use of PPIs like lansoprazole may increase your risk of bone fractures. It may also cause low magnesium levels or Vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Pregnancy
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.

lansoprazole

Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Lansoprazole may affect bone development in the fetus. If you take lansoprazole with clarithromycin, also consider clarithromycin's pregnancy risks.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This dexlansoprazole vs lansoprazole Comparison

dexlansoprazole is classified in the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) drug class, while lansoprazole sits within the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, dexlansoprazole has 39,793 submissions while lansoprazole has 84,558. 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 dexlansoprazole and lansoprazole — 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.