dexlansoprazole

What is the most important information I should know about dexlansoprazole?

Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a general ill feeling.

You should not take dexlansoprazole if you are allergic to it.

Before you take dexlansoprazole, tell your doctor if you have liver disease.

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.

When treating heartburn, dexlansoprazole is usually given for 4 weeks. To best heal erosive esophagitis, you may need to take dexlansoprazole for several months. Follow your doctor's instructions.

What is dexlansoprazole?

Dexlansoprazole is in a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. Dexlansoprazole decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Dexlansoprazole is used to treat heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and to heal erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid).

Dexlansoprazole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dexlansoprazole?

Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a general ill feeling.

You should not take dexlansoprazole if you are allergic to it.

If you have liver disease you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medicine.

Taking a proton pump inhibitor such as dexlansoprazole may increase your risk of bone fracture in the hip, wrist, or spine. This effect has occurred mostly in people who have taken the medication long term or at high doses, and in those who are age 50 and older. It is not clear whether dexlansoprazole is the actual cause of an increased risk of fracture. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia (low bone mineral density).

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether dexlansoprazole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take dexlansoprazole?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Dexlansoprazole may be taken with or without food.

Do not crush, break, or open a delayed-release capsule. Swallow it whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

If you are unable to swallow a delayed-release capsule whole: Open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

When treating heartburn, dexlansoprazole is usually given for 4 weeks. To best heal erosive esophagitis, you may need to take dexlansoprazole for several months. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse while you are taking this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking dexlansoprazole?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of dexlansoprazole?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats;
• severe stomach pain; or
• worsening heartburn.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas;
• diarrhea; or
• stuffy nose, sneezing, or other cold symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect dexlansoprazole?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);
• atazanavir (Reyataz);
• clopidogrel (Plavix);
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
• iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others);
• ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal);
• tacrolimus (Prograf); or
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with dexlansoprazole. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about dexlansoprazole.

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