CDI - Dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule for the following uses in adults and some children:

• treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• treating a certain type of esophagitis
• maintaining healing of esophagitis after treatment

This article describes possible side effects of dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule. (“Delayed release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over time.) You can explore this overview article to learn more about dexlansoprazole, including the drug’s uses, ways to save on cost, and more.

Dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Dexilant. 

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More common side effects of dexlansoprazole

Dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule include:

• diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• upper respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold
• vomiting

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of dexlansoprazole in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of dexlansoprazole

Dexlansoprazole may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule that occurred in studies include:

• diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• upper respiratory tract infection, such as the common cold
• vomiting
• gas
• bloating and fluid retention
• ringing or pain in the ear
• vertigo
• irritation or swelling of the eye
• mild allergic reaction*

Dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of dexlansoprazole in detail” section below.

Serious side effects of dexlansoprazole

Dexlansoprazole may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with dexlansoprazole.

Serious side effects of dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule that have been reported include:

• a certain type of nephritis
• diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE)
• a certain type of stomach polyps
• low magnesium blood level*
• low vitamin B12 blood level
• increased risk of bone fracture*
• severe skin reactions*
• severe allergic reaction*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of dexlansoprazole in detail” section below.

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Side effects of dexlansoprazole in children

Doctors prescribe dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule to treat the following uses in children ages 12 years and older:

• treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• treating a certain type of esophagitis
• maintaining healing of esophagitis after treatment

In studies, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults:

• headache
• swelling or pain in the nose, mouth, or throat

If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about side effects of dexlansoprazole

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How do side effects of dexlansoprazole compare with those seen with omeprazole?

Side effects of dexlansoprazole and omeprazole are very similar. Both omeprazole and dexlansoprazole are proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications prescribed for similar conditions.

Mild side effects of dexlansoprazole and omeprazole include headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Shared serious side effects include low magnesium blood level, low vitamin B12 blood level, and increased risk for bone fracture. One difference is rare reports of atrophic gastritis in people who used omeprazole long-term. This side effect hasn’t been reported with dexlansoprazole.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about how dexlansoprazole and omeprazole compare.

Does dexlansoprazole cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time or they may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule include:

• a certain type of nephritis
• low vitamin B12 blood level
• a certain type of stomach polyps
• increased risk for bone fracture*
• low magnesium blood level*

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of dexlansoprazole may last.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of dexlansoprazole in detail” section below.

Side effects of dexlansoprazole in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule.

Increased risk for bone fracture

Studies in people taking proton pump inhibitor (PPIs) medications, such as dexlansoprazole, show an increased risk for bone fracture with long-term use. These fractures were reported in the wrist, hip, or spine and are related to osteoporosis.

Symptoms of a bone fracture include:

• severe pain in the affected bone
• swelling, bruising, and discoloration at the affected area
• difficulty or inability to support weight with the affected bone

Certain factors can increase the risk of bone fracture with dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule. These include taking a high dosage and taking the drug for longer than a year. Having osteoporosis also increases this risk.

Ways to manage

To minimize risk of bone fracture, talk with your doctor to ensure:

• you’re taking the lowest dosage of dexlansoprazole needed to treat your condition
• you don’t take dexlansoprazole longer than needed to treat your condition and symptoms

Also talk with your doctor about ways to maintain bone health if you take dexlansoprazole. Depending on your risk of fractures, they may suggest using calcium and vitamin D supplements. They can also discuss other strategies for building healthy bones, such as resistance training or eating certain foods.

If you develop symptoms of a bone fracture, seek medical attention right away.

Low magnesium blood level

Low magnesium blood level is a rare side effect that has been reported when proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs such as dexlansoprazole are taken long term.

Magnesium is a mineral found throughout your body. It’s needed for many different functions, including sleep, exercise, and making proteins. Symptoms of low blood magnesium include:

• nausea and vomiting
• appetite loss
• weakness
• muscle cramps or spasms

Serious cases of low blood magnesium are rare, but can cause more serious symptoms such as seizures or arrhythmia.

Without treatment, low blood magnesium can also cause low blood levels of calcium or potassium. If you already have a low blood calcium level, it may be worsened if you develop low blood magnesium from taking dexlansoprazole.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of low blood magnesium, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping dexlansoprazole and starting magnesium replacement treatment.

Severe skin reactions

Rarely, severe skin reactions have been reported in people taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) including dexlansoprazole. While rare, these reactions are potentially life threatening.

These severe skin reactions include:

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). This typically begins as flu-like symptoms, after which a blistering rash appears on surfaces such as your face or chest.
• toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The primary symptom is a skin rash that causes severe skin blistering and peeling. Your mouth, throat, eyes, or genitals may also be affected.
• drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Symptoms include fever, a erupting skin rash, and swollen lymph nodes. This condition can also caused inflammation in internal organs, which can cause other symptoms depending on the organ(s) affected.

If you’ve experienced a severe skin reaction from taking a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) besides dexlansoprazole in the past, let your doctor know before starting treatment. You may be at higher risk of this side effect if you take dexlansoprazole.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of severe skin reactions listed above, immediately seek medical attention. Call 911 or your local emergency number. These reactions are life threatening and require immediate treatment in a hospital or emergency room. Your dexlansoprazole treatment will be stopped should any of these reactions occur.

Allergic reaction

For some people, dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule can cause an allergic reaction.

Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:

• itchiness
• skin rash
• swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for dexlansoprazole

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule, tell your doctor about your health and any medications you take. Things to consider include:

• taking a diuretic (water pill), such as furosemide (Lasix)
• a low level of calcium, magnesium, potassium, or sodium in your blood
• liver conditions, such as cirrhosis
• osteoporosis, osteopenia, or weak bones due to another cause
• a low vitamin B12 blood level
• lupus
• stomach polyps
• past allergic reaction to dexlansoprazole

Dexlansoprazole and pregnancy

It’s not known whether dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Dexlansoprazole and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Dexlansoprazole and alcohol

Dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule is not known to interact with alcohol.

But your doctor may suggest avoiding alcohol if you have GERD or esophagitis (conditions dexlansoprazole is prescribed to treat). Alcohol can worsen symptoms of both conditions.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of dexlansoprazole delayed-release oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Do I have a higher risk of dexlansoprazole side effects than others?
• Are there certain foods I should eat to lower my risk of bone fractures if I’m taking dexlansoprazole long term?
• Is my risk of severe skin reactions higher when I first start treatment?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.