Dexilant is used to treat heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and to heal erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid).

Dexilant may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Dexilant can cause kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you are urinating less than usual, or if you have blood in your urine.

Diarrhea may be a sign of a new infection. Call your doctor if you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it.

Dexilant may cause new or worsening symptoms of lupus. Tell your doctor if you have joint pain and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.

You may be more likely to have a broken bone while taking Dexilant long term or more than once per day.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take Dexilant with a full glass of water.

Dexilant may be taken with or without food.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save it for later use.

To heal erosive esophagitis and relieve heartburn, Dexilant is usually given for up to 6 months in adults, and for 4 to 16 weeks in children ages 12 through 17. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Dexilant.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Dexilant.

Dexilant may also affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Heartburn can mimic early symptoms of a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder and you feel anxious or light-headed.

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to Dexilant, or if:

• you had breathing problems, kidney problems, or a severe allergic reaction after taking this medicine in the past; or

• you also take a medicine that contains rilpivirine (Complera, Edurant, Odefsey).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• severe liver disease;

• osteoporosis;

• low bone mineral density (osteopenia); or

• low levels of magnesium in your blood.

You may be more likely to have a broken bone in your hip, wrist, or spine while taking a proton pump inhibitor long-term or more than once per day. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy.

Dexilant may harm an unborn baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Dexilant is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Dexilant can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dexilant may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• a seizure (convulsions);

• sudden pain or trouble moving your hip, wrist, or back;

• kidney problems-- fever, rash, nausea, loss of appetite, joint pain, urinating less than usual, blood in your urine, weight gain;

• low magnesium--dizziness, fast or irregular heart rate, tremors (shaking) or jerking muscle movements, feeling jittery, muscle cramps, muscle spasms in your hands and feet, cough or choking feeling; or

• new or worsening symptoms of lupus--joint pain, and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.

Taking Dexilant long-term may cause you to develop stomach growths called fundic gland polyps. Talk with your doctor about this risk.

If you use Dexilant for longer than 3 years, you could develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor about how to manage this condition if you develop it.

Common side effects of Dexilant may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas;

• diarrhea;

• headache;

• mouth pain, sore throat; or

• stuffy nose, sinus pain, or other cold symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect Dexilant, especially:

• methotrexate;

• rifampin;

• St. John's wort; or

• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Dexilant. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.