Dexlansoprazole is used to treat conditions caused by excessive acidity in your stomach, such as reflux disease (also known as “heartburn,” in which food or acid from your stomach backs up into your mouth, leaving a sour or bitter taste) and erosive oesophagitis (inflammation and erosion of the lining of the food pipe).
It treats these conditions by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes.
Take Dexlansoprazole exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water or it may be opened and sprinkled on applesauce or food. The applesauce mixture should be swallowed immediately. Do not store mixture for later use. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Alternatively, the granules in the capsule can be administered via oral syringe or nasogastric (NG) tube.
Administration with water in an oral syringe:
- Open the capsule and mix the granules (do not crush) with 20 mL of water in a clean container.
- Withdraw the entire mixture into a syringe.
- Gently swirl the syringe to keep the granules from settling.
- Immediately administer the mixture into the mouth.
- Refill the syringe with 10 mL of water and swirl gently. Administer the water into the mouth.
- Repeat step 5.
Do not chew the granules and do not store the mixture for later use.
Administration with water via nasogastric (NG) tube using NG tube (size 16 French or larger):
- Open the capsule and mix the granules (do not crush) with 20 mL of water in a clean container.
- Withdraw the entire mixture into a catheter-tip syringe.
- Gently swirl the catheter-tip syringe to keep the granules from settling.
- Connect the catheter-tip syringe to the NG tube and immediately inject the mixture into the stomach through the NG tube.
- Refill the catheter-tip syringe with 10 mL of water, swirl gently and flush the tube with the water.
- Repeat step 5.
Do not store the mixture for later use.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the dosage and course of your treatment depending on the condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
DO NOT take Dexlansoprazole with rilpivirine (medicine for HIV infection).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bones)
- reduced body stores or risk factors for vitamin B12 malabsorption
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going for a diagnostic test for tumours, inform your doctor that you are taking Dexlansoprazole.
Some genetic traits can affect this medicine’s level in the blood. Individuals who have reduced CYP2C19 activity, also known as poor metabolisers of CYP2C19 may experience enhanced side effects from Dexlansoprazole. Although not routinely done, your doctor may advise you to take genetic testing to check if this medicine is best suited for you. If you know you have this gene type, inform your doctor.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. You may need to have routine blood tests (e.g. magnesium level) to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Dexlansoprazole may cause any of the following side effects: headache, diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, stomach wind, runny or stuffy nose, flu-like illness, and cough.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- severe stomach pain or cramps, loose, watery or bloody stools, or severe diarrhoea
- decreased amount of urine or blood in urine
- lightheadedness, palpitations, numbness or tingling, visual disturbances
- red, raised, scaly rash on exposed skin of the body
- spasm, cramps or muscle weakness, disorientation, convulsions, dizziness, increased heart rate
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
DO NOT take Dexlansoprazole with rilpivirine (medicine for HIV infection).
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for HIV infection e.g. atazanavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. tacrolimus, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil
- medicines for fungal infection e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole
- water pills or medicines for fluid retention e.g. furosemide
- medicines for cancer e.g. erlotinib, dasatinib, nilotinib
- certain antibiotics e.g. ampicillin
- digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
- iron supplements
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Dexlansoprazole.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
It may be helpful to discuss your diet with your doctor or dietitian as a change in diet may help improve your symptoms. For example, spicy food tends to worsen reflux and should be avoided. Likewise, carbonated (“fizzy”) drinks such as soft drinks should also be avoided.
You should try to avoid lying down soon after eating as this may worsen reflux symptoms.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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