Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) is a brand-name oral capsule that’s prescribed for erosive esophagitis, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). As with other drugs, Dexilant can cause side effects, such as diarrhea and vomiting.

Dexilant can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Dexilant in clinical trials:

  • abdominal pain
  • vomiting
  • gas
  • diarrhea*
  • nausea*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Dexilant. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Dexilant’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Dexilant include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Dexilant and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Dexilant. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

In most cases, side effects from Dexilant are mild. But it’s possible for Dexilant to cause serious side effects as well. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Dexilant’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Dexilant, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* An allergic reaction is possible after taking Dexilant. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Dexilant may be prescribed to treat erosive esophagitis, heartburn, and GERD in children ages 12 years and older.

In most cases, Dexilant caused similar side effects in children and adults. However, in clinical trials, certain side effects were more commonly reported in children, including:

  • headache
  • abdominal pain
  • diarrhea
  • common cold

In addition, mouth pain and throat pain were reported in children taking Dexilant. These side effects were not reported in adults.

If you have questions about the side effects your child may experience with Dexilant, talk with their doctor.

Dexilant may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Dexilant cause cancer?

No, Dexilant isn’t known to cause cancer. This was not a reported side effect in Dexilant’s clinical trials.

However, it’s possible for Dexilant to cause stomach polyps, also known as fundal gland polyps. The risk of this side effect may be higher if you take Dexilant for longer than 1 year. In most cases, these polyps are benign (noncancerous) and don’t cause any symptoms.

If you have questions or concerns about side effects that you may experience from Dexilant, talk with your doctor.

Can Dexilant cause long-term side effects?

Yes, it’s possible for Dexilant to cause long-term side effects. However, long-term side effects from this drug were not common. In most cases, people taking Dexilant only experienced short-term side effects.

You may have a higher risk of long-term side effects if you take Dexilant for a longer period of time. Some examples of long-term side effects that can occur from Dexilant include:

To reduce the risk of long-term side effects, your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dose of Dexilant for you. They’ll also prescribe it for the shortest amount of time necessary to treat your condition.

If you have concerns about possible long-term side effects of Dexilant, talk with your doctor. For more information about Dexilant’s dosages, see this article.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Dexilant may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Dexilant.

Diarrhea

It’s possible for Dexilant to cause diarrhea. In fact, this was one of the most common side effects reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

Diarrhea is loose or watery stool. It may occur with other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, cramps, or bloating.

Most cases of diarrhea are expected to be mild. However, more serious cases have been reported since Dexilant was approved for use. Rarely, the diarrhea may be caused by a C. diff infection. (C. diff is a type of bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea.)

C. diff-associated diarrhea may cause additional symptoms, such as a fever.

What you can do

If you develop diarrhea during your treatment with Dexilant, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what’s causing this side effect. Then, they can recommend the best way to manage it.

For mild diarrhea caused by Dexilant, your doctor may recommend taking an antidiarrheal medication, such as Imodium (loperamide). However, if the diarrhea is related to a bacterial infection, such as C. diff, your doctor will likely recommend treating it with antibiotics.

Nausea

Taking Dexilant may cause nausea. In the drug’s clinical trials, nausea was one of the most commonly reported side effects. Nausea may occur on its own or as a symptom of another side effect, such as diarrhea or stomach polyps.

What you can do

If you experience severe or bothersome nausea during treatment with Dexilant, talk with your doctor. In some cases, they may be able to recommend ways to manage this side effect. For example, it may be helpful to take your dose of Dexilant with food.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Dexilant can cause an allergic reaction in some people. In clinical trials, allergic reactions, including severe skin reactions, were uncommon.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Dexilant. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Dexilant. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Mineral deficiency: If you’ve ever had a mineral deficiency, talk with your doctor before you start taking Dexilant. This includes having low levels of minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, or sodium. This medication can also cause low mineral levels. If you already have a mineral deficiency, taking Dexilant may make your condition worse.

In some cases, certain diuretic drugs may also lower the levels of minerals in your blood. If you have low mineral levels or if you’re taking a diuretic, be sure to tell your doctor before starting treatment with Dexilant. They’ll determine whether Dexilant is safe for you.

Liver problems: Before starting treatment with Dexilant, talk with your doctor about any liver problems you may have. Dexilant is broken down by your liver. If you have a condition that affects your liver function, your body may not be able to break down the drug as well as expected. This can lead to Dexilant building up in your system, which may increase the risk of side effects.

For some liver problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Dexilant than is typical. However, if you have a severe liver problem, your doctor will likely recommend a different treatment option for you.

Lupus: If you have lupus, talk with your doctor before you start taking Dexilant. This medication may cause lupus or worsen existing symptoms if you already have it. For this reason, your doctor may monitor your condition more often throughout treatment with Dexilant. If this drug causes your lupus symptoms to worsen, they may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Dexilant or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Dexilant. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, Dexilant may not be safe for you to take. At this time, there haven’t been any clinical trials in pregnant people to show whether the drug is safe for a developing fetus. In addition, there haven’t been clinical trials to show whether Dexilant passes into breast milk or how the drug may affect a child who’s breastfed.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor. They’ll determine whether treatment with Dexilant is safe for you and your child.

Alcohol consumption: If you drink alcohol, Dexilant is likely safe for you to take. There aren’t any known interactions between alcohol and Dexilant. However, it’s important to note that alcohol may worsen symptoms of erosive esophagitis or GERD. Since Dexilant is prescribed to treat these conditions, your doctor may recommend limiting your alcohol consumption. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you how much alcohol, if any, is safe to drink with this drug.

If you’d like to learn more about Dexilant, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Dexilant: For details about other aspects of Dexilant, refer to this article.
  • Dosage: For information about the dosage of Dexilant, view this article.
  • A look at your condition: For details about the conditions Dexilant is prescribed to treat, see our list of articles on acid reflux and GERD.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.