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Two medicines, side by side

Dexlansoprazole vs rabeprazole

Dexlansoprazole and rabeprazole are both labeled for acid reflux and ulcers. Drugs@FDA records approvals of dexlansoprazole since 2009 and of rabeprazole since 1999. Pharmacies paid $3.71 per dexlansoprazole DR 60 mg capsule and $0.224 per rabeprazole sod DR 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Dexlansoprazole, “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 …”; Rabeprazole, “Rabeprazole belongs to a class of antisecretory compounds (substituted benzimidazole proton-pump inhibitors) that do not exhibit anticholinergic or histamine H 2 -receptor antagonist properties, but …”

Check it at the source: the dexlansoprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 17, 2025); the rabeprazole FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 27, 2026).

Highlights of the dexlansoprazole record

Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant) · label of February 17, 2025

Used for

From the label: indications

DEXILANT 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 rabeprazole record

Rabeprazole (Aciphex) · label of January 27, 2026

Used for

From the label: indications

ACIPHEX delayed-release tablets is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) indicated in adults for: Healing of Erosive or Ulcerative Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) ( 1.1 ). Maintenance of Healing of Erosive or Ulcerative GERD ( 1.2 ). Treatment of Symptomatic GERD ( 1.3 ). Healing of Duodenal Ulcers ( 1.4 ). Helicobacter pylori Eradication to Reduce Risk of Duodenal Ulcer Recurrence ( 1.5 ). […]

On the market

Earliest approval on file
August 19, 1999
Generic labelers
20 labelers
Pharmacy cost
$0.224 per tablet

Supply and safety

Shortage
No current entry
Recalls
1

Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dexlansoprazole label of February 17, 2025, Rabeprazole label of January 27, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)

How do dexlansoprazole and rabeprazole differ on the record?

How each works, in its label's words: Dexlansoprazole, “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 …”; Rabeprazole, “Rabeprazole belongs to a class of antisecretory compounds (substituted benzimidazole proton-pump inhibitors) that do not exhibit anticholinergic or histamine H 2 -receptor antagonist properties, but …”

Both are in FDA's class proton pump inhibitors.

Half-life, in each label's words: Dexlansoprazole, “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 …”; Rabeprazole, “This relatively prolonged pharmacodynamic action compared to the short pharmacokinetic half-life (1 to 2 hours) …”

Generics: dexlansoprazole since 2017; rabeprazole since 2013 (Drugs@FDA).

DexlansoprazoleRabeprazole
Labeled forAcid reflux and ulcersAcid reflux and ulcers
Pharmacologic classProton Pump InhibitorProton 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.Rabeprazole belongs to a class of antisecretory compounds (substituted benzimidazole proton-pump inhibitors) that do not exhibit anticholinergic or histamine H 2 -receptor antagonist properties, but suppress gastric acid secretion by …
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 …This relatively prolonged pharmacodynamic action compared to the short pharmacokinetic half-life (1 to 2 hours) reflects the sustained inactivation of the H + , K + ATPase.
Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA)January 30, 2009August 19, 1999
First generic approvedApril 19, 2017November 8, 2013
Generic labelers (NDC)9 labelers20 labelers
Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ)$3.71 per capsule (Dexlansoprazole DR 60 mg capsule)$0.224 per tablet (Rabeprazole sod DR 20 mg tablet)
12-month price change-18%-0.4%
Boxed warningNoNo
Shortage nowNo current entryNo current entry
Recalls recorded01
FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used)41,46638,147
DEA schedulenonenone

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?

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