PlainMeds provides educational information only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

dexlansoprazole

Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →

Brand names: Dexilant

Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) Rx

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

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Generic Price

$5.02/unit

Generic Available

Yes (4 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

What it does

This medicine can help heal damage to your esophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach).

Common side effects

Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Nausea

Key warnings

Dexlansoprazole may hide signs of stomach cancer, so tell your doctor if your symptoms don't improve.

How It Works

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.

How to Take It

Take dexlansoprazole capsules once a day. You can take it with or without food. Swallow the capsule whole; do not chew it. If you have trouble swallowing, you can open the capsule and mix the pellets with applesauce or water.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

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.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.

Storage

Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 51,208 FDA adverse event reports.

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
Medicine not working
2,518
Tiredness
2,337
Using the medicine for something it's not approved for
2,232
Kidney inflammation
2,190
Feeling sick to your stomach
2,138

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 40,790 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2008–2025.

Total Reports

40,790

Death-Related Reports

3,607

Hospitalization Reports

6,956

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 19,176 (68%)
Male 8,896 (32%)

Age Distribution

0–17 138
18–44 2,589
45–64 7,813
65–74 3,785
75+ 2,523

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE 16,100
2 ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 7,791
3 RENAL FAILURE 6,721
4 END STAGE RENAL DISEASE 4,842
5 RENAL INJURY 4,339
6 DRUG INEFFECTIVE 2,518
7 FATIGUE 2,337
8 OFF LABEL USE 2,232
9 TUBULOINTERSTITIAL NEPHRITIS 2,190
10 NAUSEA 2,138
11 DIARRHOEA 1,947
12 HEADACHE 1,902
13 PAIN 1,902
14 DEATH 1,831
15 DYSPNOEA 1,542

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 1,827
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE 1,592
RENAL FAILURE 1,331
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 1,051
END STAGE RENAL DISEASE 990
TUBULOINTERSTITIAL NEPHRITIS 348
RENAL INJURY 324
OFF LABEL USE 199
CONDITION AGGRAVATED 170
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION 169

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE 945
FATIGUE 932
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 901
NAUSEA 796
DYSPNOEA 759
DRUG INEFFECTIVE 751
RENAL FAILURE 738
OFF LABEL USE 722
HEADACHE 702
DIARRHOEA 700

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

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.

Known Drug Interactions

moderate rifampin

John’s Wort, rifampin : Avoid concomitant use with dexlansoprazole.

Mechanism: Rifampin can cause your body to clear dexlansoprazole much faster than normal, making the stomach medicine less effective. This prevents the drug from working well to treat your symptoms.

What to do: You should avoid taking these two medications together. Talk to your doctor about finding a different treatment option.

Warfarin Clinical Impact: Increased INR and prothrombin time in patients receiving PPIs and warfarin concomitantly. Dose adjustment of warfarin may be needed to maintain target INR range. See prescribing information for warfarin.

Mechanism: Dexlansoprazole can increase the blood-thinning effects of warfarin. This makes your blood take longer to clot and increases the risk of bleeding.

What to do: Your doctor may need to adjust your warfarin dose and will likely check your blood clotting levels more often.

Methotrexate Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of PPIs with methotrexate (primarily at high dose) may elevate and prolong serum concentrations of methotrexate and/or its metabolite hydroxymethotrexate, possibly leading to methotrexate toxicities. No formal drug interaction studies of high-dose methotrexate with PPIs have been conducted [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)] . Intervention: A temporary withdrawal of dexlansoprazole may be considered in some patients receiving high-dose methotrexate.

Mechanism: Dexlansoprazole can cause methotrexate to stay in your body longer and reach higher levels than normal. This can increase the risk of harmful side effects from the methotrexate.

What to do: Your doctor may have you stop taking dexlansoprazole for a short time while you are getting high doses of methotrexate.

Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption (e.g., iron salts, erlotinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, mycophenolate mofetil, ketoconazole/itraconazole) Clinical Impact: Dexlansoprazole can reduce the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity.

Mechanism: This medicine lowers stomach acid, which ketoconazole needs to dissolve and get into your bloodstream. Without enough acid, your body may not absorb enough of the antifungal medicine to work properly.

What to do: Talk to your doctor about this combination, as the antifungal medicine may not be as effective.

Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption (e.g., iron salts, erlotinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, mycophenolate mofetil, ketoconazole/itraconazole) Clinical Impact: Dexlansoprazole can reduce the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity.

Mechanism: Dexlansoprazole reduces the amount of acid in your stomach, which is necessary for itraconazole to be absorbed into your body. This can make the antifungal drug less effective at treating infections.

What to do: Consult your healthcare provider, as they may need to adjust your treatment to ensure the antifungal medicine works.

Check all your medications →

Common Questions

Can I take this with other medications?
Dexlansoprazole can interact with some medicines. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, especially rilpivirine, methotrexate, and warfarin.
How long does it take for this medicine to work?
It may take several days for your symptoms to improve.
Can I crush or chew the capsule?
No, swallow the capsule whole. If you have trouble swallowing, you can open the capsule and mix the pellets with applesauce or water.
What should I do if I experience side effects?
If you experience any bothersome or severe side effects, contact your doctor.
Can I take this medicine long-term?
Long-term use of dexlansoprazole may have some risks. Talk to your doctor about the best duration of treatment for you.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking this medication?
It's best to avoid alcohol, as it can worsen your symptoms.
Will this medication interact with any of my supplements?
Tell your doctor about all supplements you are taking, especially iron.
Can I drive or operate machinery while taking this medication?
Dexlansoprazole is not likely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
How often should I see my doctor while taking this medication?
Follow your doctor's recommendations for check-up appointments.
What do the numbers on the capsule mean?
The numbers on the capsule help identify the strength of the medicine.
What are the common side effects of dexlansoprazole?
The most commonly reported side effects of dexlansoprazole include Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Nausea, Upper respiratory tract infection, Vomiting. Based on 51,208 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does dexlansoprazole interact with other medications?
Yes, dexlansoprazole has 8 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include rifampin, warfarin, methotrexate. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is dexlansoprazole?
dexlansoprazole belongs to the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). This medicine can help heal damage to your esophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach).
Is dexlansoprazole safe during pregnancy?
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. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Related Medications in Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)

Other drugs grouped near dexlansoprazole — same-class peers and common alternatives.

Compare dexlansoprazole vs alosetron side-by-side →

Medication Guides

Related Health & Safety Data

Save on dexlansoprazole

Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.

Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.

What the FDA Data Shows for dexlansoprazole

The FDA label for dexlansoprazole (sold under brand names such as Dexilant) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) class. This medicine can help heal damage to your esophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach). Official labeling lists 8 commonly reported side effects, including Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Nausea.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 51,208 voluntary reports. The database also lists 8 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $5.02.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: November 19, 2025

All federal data sources used on this page