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Dexilant belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors. Their job is to reduce the acid that is produced in the stomach. Its presence in the stomach is essential for the digestion of food. However, when even small amounts of it enter the throat, they cause unpleasant ailments. Dexilant is supposed to prevent these ailments by reducing stomach acid.
Dexilant – characteristics
Dexilant is a proton pump inhibitor that comes in capsules and comes in two forms, as Dexilant 60 mg and Dexilant 30 mg. Each package of Dexilant contains 28 tablets. Dexilant can be obtained from a pharmacy by prescription, but the drug is not reimbursed. The active substance of Dexilant is dexlansoprazole (in a dose of 30 mg or 60 mg). Among the auxiliary substances of Dexilant we can find, among others sucrose.
Dexilant works by blocking the production of hydrochloric acid in the last stage of its production. It is a reversible condition. Dexilant reaches its maximum concentration 4-5 hours after taking the tablet, but it starts working much earlier.
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Dexilant – properties
Dexilant works as a proton pump inhibitor by reducing the acid in the stomach by the lining of the stomach. The medicine is presented as hard capsules with a capacity of 30 mg or 60 mg. The active substance is dexlansoprazole. It is more effective than others because it has a prolonged period of elevated serum levels. Extending this time is convenient for patients because they can take the drug at any time. Besides, this substance reduces the production of hydrochloric acid at night.
Dexilant – application
Dexilant is used:
- for the treatment of erosive reflux oesophagitis,
- maintenance treatment of erosive oesophagitis and heartburn
- short-term treatment of heartburn.
Erosions in the esophagus are caused by the presence of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. However, it does sometimes enter the esophagus. Hydrochloric acid in your esophagus feels like heartburn, with a burning burning sensation in your esophagus that radiates to your breastbone.
The drug is used in children from 12 years of age (younger children have not been tested) and in people suffering from reflux and heartburn.
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Dexilant – dosage
Information on the dosage of Dexilant is provided in the leaflet. The capsule should be swallowed whole without chewing and washed down with a glass of water. Children and people with swallowing difficulties can sprinkle the granules from the capsule and mix it with apple puree.
Also note that Dexilant 60 mg once daily is only intended for patients with erosive reflux oesophagitis. Treatment should continue for 4 weeks, and if there is no improvement after this period, treatment may be continued for another 4 weeks.
Subsequently, the doctor may decide to introduce maintenance treatment with Dexilant. It is recommended where gastric acid secretion is to be inhibited for a longer period of time use of Dexilant at a dose of 30 mg once a day. Such therapy should be used for 6 months, but the final decision on the length of treatment is made by the doctor. For children and adolescents over 12 years of age, the recommended dose is 30 mg once a day. The duration of the treatment is determined individually by the doctor.
Dexilant – overdose
When taking Dexilant, follow your doctor’s instructions closely. If you take a higher dose than your doctor has told you, or if it is swallowed by mistake by someone else, especially a child, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Dexilant can also have side effects. The most commonly reported side effects after taking the wrong dose of medicine are:
- high blood pressure;
- hot flushes;
- the appearance of bruises;
- weight loss;
- sore throat.
Cases massive overdose of Dexilant are rarely reported. It is worth knowing that even taking the very high dose of 300 mg of the drug did not lead to death or serious side effects.
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Dexilant – contraindications
A contraindication to the use of Dexilant is hypersensitivity, i.e. allergy to any component of the preparation, as well as auxiliary substances.
Dexilant – side effects
The most common negative side effects of Dexilant are:
– abdominal and headache,
Nausea
– flatulence, constipation and diarrhea.
At long-term use of Dexilant the intestinal flora changes, which can lead to irritable bowel syndrome or infectious bowel diseases. Other ailments and complications are rare.
Dexilant – pregnancy
Pregnant women should consult their doctor about taking Dexilant. There are no data on the safety of the drug in pregnant women. It is uncertain whether the active substance crosses the placenta, and therefore whether the preparation is safe for the woman and the child.
Dexilant – breastfeeding
It is not recommended to take Dexilant while breastfeeding. This is due to the lack of studies on the safety of the drug. There is no data on the excretion of the active substance Dexilant in human milk. However, studies have confirmed that this substance is excreted in animal milk, so its use is also not recommended in breastfeeding women.
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Dexilant – alcohol
There is insufficient data on interaction of Dexilant with alcohol. However, special care should be taken as the drug may affect the psychomotor skills of the patient.
Dexilant – precautions
Before we start taking Dexilant, a malignant tumor of the stomach should be ruled out, as the drug may mask its symptoms. This can lead to late diagnosis. In addition, it is not advisable to co-administer Dexilant with HIV protease inhibitors, which may reduce the bioavailability of the drug.
People with moderate liver problems should also be cautious during treatment with Dexilantand in people with severe disorders of this organ, the use of the drug is completely prohibited. In addition, proton pump inhibitors can lead to an increase in the number of bacteria normally residing in the gastrointestinal tract. Dexilant may also increase the risk of gastrointestinal infections such as Salmonella.
Unfortunately, there are no data on the safety of the drug for more than one year, so regular check-ups are recommended. Severe hypomagnesaemia may occur in people taking Dexilant for a long time (at least 3 months). Therefore, when long-term treatment is suspected, consideration may be given to measuring magnesium levels in the blood before and thereafter during treatment.
In addition, there is also a reduced absorption of vitamin. B12 and in some cases colitis. During longer therapy with high doses of Dexilant, the risk of osteoporosis increases, which is why vitamin supplementation is recommended. D and calcium. Cutaneous form of lupus erythematosus may appear, as well as skin lesions mainly in places exposed to the sun. At the same time, pain in the joints may appear. This is an indication to stop taking Dexilant, but the decision is made by the doctor.
Dexilant may increase the concentration of chromatogranin A (CgA) and may interfere with the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors. It is necessary to stop treatment 5 days before testing the level of CgA. If necessary, the test is repeated after a 14-day break.
The presence of sucrose means that people with hereditary fructose disorders, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase deficiency should also be careful when using Dexilant.
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Dexilant – side effects
Common side effects of Dexilant include:
- headaches;
- diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea;
- flatulence, constipation, discomfort;
- benign polyps in the abdomen.
Uncommon side effects of Dexilant include:
- fractures of the hip bone, wrist or spine;
- depression;
- insomnia;
- dizziness;
- taste disturbance;
- hot flushes;
- hypertension;
- vomiting;
- cough;
- dry mouth;
- liver disorders;
- hives, rash;
- eating disorders.
Rare side effects of Dexilant include:
- auditory hallucinations;
- paresthesias and seizures;
- blurred vision;
- tinea;
- dizziness.
In addition, side effects of unknown frequency may occur, such as:
- anaphylactic reactions;
- hypersensitivity reactions – much more common in women;
- visual hallucinations;
- autoimmune hemolytic anemia;
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
Dexilant – reviews
Dexilant is a better version of other proton pump inhalers (remember: it has a longer duration of action, it also works at night). Its effectiveness in treating gastroesophageal erosions caused by acid reflux and treating heartburn has been studied and proven.
However, inhibitors of some physicians are of poor opinion. It is believed to contribute to the formation of stomach ulcers and even stomach cancer.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.