Dexilant dosage, forms, and strengths

Dexilant is a brand-name prescription drug prescribed to treat both erosive and non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). Both are conditions in which stomach acid flows up into the esophagus and causes pain or damage. The active ingredient in Dexilant, dexlansoprazole, is a proton-pump inhibitor that dramatically decreases the amount of acid produced by the stomach. Dexilant is taken by mouth as a delayed-release capsule once per day with or without food. 

RELATED: What is Dexilant? | Get Dexilant discounts

Dexilant forms and strengths

Dexilant is a stomach acid reducer that is taken by mouth as a delayed-release capsule. The contents of the capsule, however, can be mixed with water and taken through an oral syringe or feeding tube.

• Delayed-release capsules: 30 milligrams (mg), 60 mg

Dexilant dosage for adults

For adults, Dexilant is FDA approved for the healing of erosive esophagitis (erosive GERD), for maintenance treatment and heartburn relief for healed erosive esophagitis, and for the treatment of non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD). Some healthcare providers may prescribe Dexilant off-label for eosinophilic esophagitis or as part of a multi-drug treatment for H. pylori infection. Treatment is limited to a few weeks or months depending on the condition being treated.

Source: Epocrates, Dexilant

Dexilant dosage for non-erosive GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or acid reflux) is a condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, the long tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. GERD is a common problem, affecting about one in five people. In its less severe form, called non-erosive GERD, stomach acid in the esophagus causes heartburn and vomiting but no damage. In its more severe form, called erosive esophagitis or erosive GERD, the stomach acid also damages the lining of the esophagus.

The active ingredient in Dexilant, dexlansoprazole, belongs to a class of drugs called proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). Stomach acid is produced when cells in the stomach’s lining pump out chlorine and hydrogen ions (protons) which then mix to form hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Proton-pump inhibitors block the enzyme that pumps out hydrogen ions. Without hydrogen ions, hydrochloric acid can’t form in the stomach. At therapeutic doses, PPIs like dexlansoprazole can significantly reduce stomach acid, which treats the pain and problems of GERD.

• Standard dosage for non-erosive GERD: 30 mg capsule taken once per day for up to four weeks

Dexilant dosage for erosive esophagitis (erosive GERD)

Erosive esophagitis is a severe form of GERD in which stomach acid in the esophagus damages tissues. Affecting about 30% of people with GERD, erosive esophagitis can take months of treatment to fully heal. The most severe form of erosive GERD is Barrett’s esophagus—about 12% of GERD cases—which is characterized by pre-cancerous changes to esophageal tissues. Proton-pump inhibitors like Dexilant are the first-line treatment for erosive esophagitis to promote and maintain healing.

• Standard dosage for healing of erosive GERD: 60 mg capsule taken once per day for up to eight weeks

• Standard dosage for maintenance of healed erosive GERD and relief of heartburn: 30 mg capsule taken once per day for up to six months

• Maximum dosage for erosive GERD: 60 mg taken once per day

Dexilant dosage for children

Dexilant is FDA approved for use in children 12 years of age and older to treat erosive or non-erosive GERD. Dosages and treatment are the same as they are for adults.

• Standard dosage for non-erosive GERD in children 12 years of age or older: 30 mg capsule taken once per day for up to four weeks

• Standard dosage for healing of erosive GERD in children 12 years of age or older: 60 mg capsule taken once per day for up to eight weeks

• Standard dosage for maintenance of healed erosive GERD and relief of heartburn in children 12 years of age or older: 30 mg capsule taken once per day for up to six months

• Maximum dosage in children 12 years of age or older: 60 mg taken once per day

Source: Epocrates

Dexilant dosage restrictions

Because dexlansoprazole is broken down by the liver, people with moderate liver problems (hepatic impairment) will not be able to take more than 30 mg of Dexilant each day. Because of the risk of side effects, Dexilant is not recommended for people with severe hepatic impairment. The only other contraindications are allergies to dexlansoprazole or any of the inactive ingredients in Dexilant. Caution should be used when taking Dexilant at high doses, for long periods of time, or by people with low magnesium levels.

How to take Dexilant

Dexilant is only taken by mouth as a delayed-release capsule with a meal or on an empty stomach. People who cannot swallow a capsule can empty the contents of the Dexilant capsule into applesauce and take the medicine that way. The capsule’s granules can also be added to water and administered through an oral syringe or feeding tube.

• Take this medicine as instructed by a healthcare professional.

• Dexilant will come with instructions for use and a medication guide that has valuable information on how to take Dexilant, possible side effects, and what to do if there are problems. If either of these is missing, a pharmacist can provide a copy.

• Store Dexilant at room temperature (68°F to 77°F).

• Swallow the delayed-release capsule whole. Do not chew or break it.

• For people who have difficulty swallowing a capsule, Dexilant can be taken with applesauce:

  • Put one tablespoon of applesauce in a clean container.

  • Open the capsule and sprinkle the granules onto the applesauce.

  • Immediately swallow the applesauce and granules. Do not chew.

  • Do not save the applesauce and granules for later.

• Dexilant granules can be added to water and administered through an oral syringe:

  • Pour 20 milliliters (mL) of water into a clean container.

  • Open the capsule and empty the granules into the water.

  • Use an oral syringe to draw up the water and granules.

  • Swirl the water gently in the syringe to prevent the granules from settling.

  • Put the tip of the oral syringe in the mouth and swallow the water and granules immediately. Do not save the suspension for later.

  • To get all remaining medicine, refill the syringe with 10 mL of water, swirl gently, and swallow the water. Repeat if necessary.

• People with a feeding tube can be given Dexilant through the feeding tube:

  • The feeding tube must be size 16 French or larger.

  • Pour 20 mL of water into a clean container.

  • Open the capsule and sprinkle the granules into the water.

  • Using a 60 mL catheter-tip syringe, draw up the water and granules into the syringe and swirl gently.

  • Connect the catheter tip to the feeding tube.

  • Inject the medicine into the feeding tube right away. Do not save the contents in the syringe for later use.

  • To get the entire dose, refill the syringe with 10 mL of water, swirl it gently, and inject the water into the tube. Repeat if necessary.

Dexilant dosage FAQs

What happens if I miss a dose of Dexilant?

Take a missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it’s almost time for the next dose, wait until then and take the next dose as scheduled. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How long can you take Dexilant?

Proton pump inhibitors like Dexilant are only intended for short-term treatment, typically for a few weeks, a few months, or on an as-needed basis. Long-term use of PPIs can cause serious problems such as Clostridium difficile infections, vitamin B12 deficiency, low magnesium (hypomagnesemia), osteoporosis-related bone fractures, fundic gland polyps, kidney problems (interstitial nephritis), and chronic kidney disease.

How do I stop taking Dexilant?

Dexilant can be stopped at any time without causing withdrawal symptoms. However, people who have taken PPIs for a long time may experience a severe rebound of their symptoms because their stomach will overreact and secrete too much acid. For this reason, people should get medical advice before stopping Dexilant or any other PPI. People who have been taking PPIs for a while may be weaned off the drug using a gradually tapering dose. 

There are good reasons to stop taking Dexilant or any other PPI. First, long-term use can cause serious side effects such as infections or kidney problems. Serious side effects of Dexilant such as serious allergic reactions or systemic lupus erythematosus might require that Dexilant be stopped immediately. Some people may simply not be able to live with common adverse effects such as diarrhea, headache, stomach pain, gas, or nausea. 

People who are no longer able to take Dexilant or other proton pump inhibitors can also rely on H2 inhibitors, another class of stomach acid reducers, or antacids, which neutralize the acid in the stomach.

Can you overdose on Dexilant?

High doses of Dexilant are not life-threatening, but they could cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure. Call a poison control center or get medical help if too much Dexilant has been taken.

What interacts with Dexilant?

Dexilant has several drug interactions that may require either switching medications, reducing doses, or careful monitoring of side effects. Make sure the prescribing healthcare provider knows about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements being taken. The most concerning drug interactions are:

• Edurant (rilpivirine), an anti-HIV drug, can never be taken with Dexilant; dexlansoprazole severely reduces the effectiveness of that drug in fighting HIV. Other HIV drugs such as atazanavir, nelfinavir, or saquinavir will also be less effective when taken with Dexilant. Alternative stomach acid therapy may be required.

• Dexlansoprazole reduces the concentration and effectiveness of antifungal drugs such as ketoconazole or itraconazole and increases the concentration of certain anticancer drugs such as methotrexate or tacrolimus, increasing their toxicity and adverse reactions.

• Dexlansoprazole increases the blood concentration of warfarin, a blood-thinning drug (anticoagulant), so there’s an increased risk of severe bleeding problems when these drugs are combined.

• Because of the reduction in stomach acid, some drugs, such as digoxin, are more efficiently absorbed by the body and could cause serious side effects. On the other hand, some drugs, such as mycophenolate mofetil or erlotinib, require normal levels of stomach acid to be properly absorbed into the body. 

• The antibiotic rifampin as well as the popular supplement, St John’s wort, reduce the concentrations of dexlansoprazole, compromising its ability to lower stomach acid.

Is it safe to take Dexilant during pregnancy?

Women who are pregnant can be prescribed Dexilant. There are no known risks, although this is based on limited data. There are also no studies on the safety of Dexilant while breastfeeding. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should get medical advice from their healthcare provider about the pros and cons of taking Dexilant before starting this drug. 

Related resources for Dexilant dosages:

• Acid-reducing medications, Osmosis

• Barrett’s esophagus, University of California San Francisco Health

• Clinical indications for proton pump inhibitors and tapering information when indicated, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

• Dexilant, Epocrates

• Dexilant drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference

• Dexilant prescribing information, U.S. National Library of Medicine

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease, StatPearls

• Proton-pump inhibitors, StatPearls