Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for conditions related to acid reflux in adults and some children. Dexilant comes as a capsule that’s typically taken once per day. The dosage can vary depending on what condition the drug is used to help treat.
Dexilant is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults and children ages 12 years and older to:
- heal erosive esophagitis
- maintain healing of erosive esophagitis, including relieving heartburn
- treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that is symptomatic but non-erosive
Dexilant belongs to a drug class called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Dexilant is available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Dexilant, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Dexilant, see this article.
Note:This article describes typical dosages for Dexilant provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Dexilant, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below is information about Dexilant’s strengths and dosages.
Dexilant form
Dexilant comes as an oral delayed-release (DR) capsule. “Delayed release” means that the drug is released into your body slowly over time. With Dexilant capsules, it also means that the release of the drug is delayed until it reaches certain parts of your digestive tract. This design helps Dexilant work better to relieve GERD symptoms and treat erosive esophagitis.
Dexilant strengths
Dexilant comes in two strengths: 30 milligrams (mg) and 60 mg.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.
Dosage for healing erosive esophagitis
Doctors may prescribe Dexilant to help heal erosive esophagitis.
If your doctor prescribes Dexilant for your erosive esophagitis, your starting dose will likely be 60 mg taken once per day. This is the typical recommended dosage of Dexilant for healing erosive esophagitis. This dose may be taken for up to 8 weeks.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for maintaining erosive esophagitis healing and relieving heartburn
Dexilant is also approved to help maintain healing of erosive esophagitis, including relieving heartburn. In this case, the recommended starting dose of Dexilant is 30 mg. You’ll usually take this once per day, for up to 6 months.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Dosage for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease
Dexilant is also approved to help treat symptoms of non-erosive GERD. In this case, the recommended starting dose of Dexilant is 30 mg. You’ll usually take this once per day, for up to 4 weeks.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Children’s dosage
Dexilant is approved to treat erosive esophagitis and GERD in children ages 12 years and older.
The table below lists the typical dosing schedule for children taking Dexilant.
| Condition | Dexilant dosage | Treatment duration |
| healing erosive esophagitis | 60 mg taken once per day | up to 8 weeks |
| maintaining erosive esophagitis healing, including treating heartburn | 30 mg taken once per day | up to 16 weeks |
| symptomatic, non-erosive GERD | 30 mg taken once per day | up to 4 weeks |
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
How to take Dexilant
Dexilant comes as an oral capsule that you swallow whole. Or, you can open the capsules and sprinkle the pellets on applesauce. Swallow right away, without chewing the pellets. Then, drink a glass of water to make sure you’ve swallowed all the pellets.
Dexilant capsules may also be emptied into a glass of about 2/3 of an ounce of water. Then, draw up the mixture into a syringe and immediately empty it into your mouth. Refill the syringe with about 10 mL of water, swirl the water within the syringe (to help absorb all the medication), then empty into your mouth. Repeat the process of filling the syringe with 10 mL water, swirling, and emptying into your mouth. Dexilant can also be administered through a nasogastric (NG) tube using this process.
You may take your dose with or without food. Dexilant may be taken in the morning or night.
If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Long-term treatment
Dexilant is usually taken short term for its approved uses. Doctors typically prescribe Dexilant in adults for:
- up to 8 weeks, for healing erosive esophagitis
- up to 6 months, for maintaining erosive esophagitis healing
- up to 4 weeks, for treating symptoms of GERD
To learn more about how long Dexilant is typically used, see the “Typical dosages” section.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Dexilant.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Dexilant in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
It’s important that you do not take more Dexilant than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Dexilant
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Dexilant. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Dexilant.
Can I take Dexilant twice a day? Is this a recommended dosage?
No, taking Dexilant twice a day is not a recommended dosage. The typical recommended dosage for Dexilant depends on the condition you’re taking it to treat. But all recommended dosages are for once-daily use.
Taking Dexilant 60 mg twice a day can cause side effects according to reports, including:
- high blood pressure
- hot flashes
- bruising
- pain in your mouth and throat
- weight loss
To learn more about Dexilant’s recommended dosages, see the “Typical dosages” section. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does Dexilant have an approved dosage for gastritis?
Dexilant doesn’t have an approved dosage for gastritis. Because Dexilant isn’t approved for gastritis, the drug’s manufacturer doesn’t provide recommended dosages for this use.
However, doctors may still prescribe Dexilant or other proton pump inhibitors to treat gastritis off-label. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about Dexilant and off-label uses, such as the dosage for treating gastritis.
Is 120 mg a recommended Dexilant dosage?
No, 120 mg is not a recommended Dexilant dosage. The highest recommended Dexilant dosage is 60 mg, taken once per day.
Taking 60 mg twice a day, giving a 120-mg daily dosage, has caused side effects according to reports. These side effects include high blood pressure, hot flashes, and pain in your throat or mouth.
To learn more about Dexilant’s recommended dosages, see the “Typical dosages” section. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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.