Dexlansoprazole

• Dexlansoprazole is used to treat Erosive Oesophagitis (a condition wherein the lining of the oesophagus is damaged due to excessive stomach acid production causing ulcer formation and inflammation).
• It is also used to treat heartburn (acidity) caused by a condition known as GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and possible injury of the oesophagus [tube between the throat and stomach]).
• It provides relief from excessive acid in the stomach
• This medicine also finds use in the maintenance of healed erosive Oesophagitis.

When should one not use Dexlansoprazole

• If you are allergic to the active component dexlansoprazole, or any other ingredient in the medicine.
• If you are on or consuming medications that contain Rilpivirine or Atazanavir or other anti-HIV medications.
• If you are consuming herbal products like St. John's Wort (a flowering plant used to treat mood and nervous system related disorders).
• If you are on methotrexate (a medicine used in the treatment of cancer and psoriasis-like skin condition).
• If you are on a blood-thinning agent like warfarin.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Nausea
• Stomach ache/ abdominal pain
• Flatulence and gases
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

Other General Warnings

• You are pregnant or planning for a pregnancy.
• You are breastfeeding/lactating.
• You are planning for any surgery.
• You are allergic to any active or non-active ingredients in the medicine.
• You are suffering from osteoporosis or other bone-related diseases as these classes of medicines tend to increase the risk of fractures.
• You are suffering from deficiency of magnesium or taking diuretic medication (class of drug prescribed to remove excess salt and water from the body) that leads to the condition of hypomagnesemia (low concentration of magnesium in the blood).
• You are suffering from liver disease and/ or autoimmune disease (a condition wherein our own body's defence cells attack and destroy our body cells ) like SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus).
• You have low levels of vitamin B12.
• You experience serious diarrhoea with watery stools and stomach aches, as dexlansoprazole makes an individual prone to Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea.
• You experience pain or tenderness in your abdomen, blood in your stool and nausea as it can be a condition of stomach polyps (fundic gland polyp) generally seen on long term use of dexlansoprazole.

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Concomitant use of Anti-viral drugs like Rilpivirine or Atazanavir or other anti-HIV medications along with dexlansoprazole should be avoided as dexlansoprazole may affect the antiviral drugs.
• Do not use Dexlansoprazole if you are on blood-thinning medication like warfarin or phenprocoumon as both the medicines together may lead to increased bleeding that might prove fatal.
• Dexlansoprazole when used along with methotrexate for the long term have shown to have a toxic effect.
• Dexlansoprazole reduces the absorption of medicines like iron salts, erlotinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, mycophenolate mofetil, ketoconazole/itraconazole which are dependent on gastric acidity for their mechanism.
• Inform your doctor if you are on St.John's Wort (a flowering plant used to treat mood and nervous system related disorders) as it may decrease the efficiency of dexlansoprazole.
• Close monitoring is advised in patients who are on water pills (class of drug prescribed to remove excess salt and water from the body) like Bumetanide (Bumex), Furosemide (Lasix), along with Dexlansoprazole as diuretics tend to cause magnesium imbalance and dexlansoprazole worsens the condition.
• Discuss with your doctor any other medicine, herbal preparation and supplements you are taking currently to avoid any possible drug interactions.

Overdose

Missed a Dose