Key takeaways

Dexilant is prescribed for adults and adolescents 12 years and older to treat conditions like erosive esophagitis and GERD.
Alternatives to Dexilant include FDA-approved prescription medications such as Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix, Prevacid, and Pepcid, many of which are available in generic forms and have similar uses and side effects.
Over-the-counter (OTC) options and natural alternatives exist for those seeking different treatments, but it’s advised to consult a healthcare provider before making any changes to medication.
Switching to a Dexilant alternative involves consulting with healthcare providers and insurance to determine coverage and suitability, potentially leading to immediate transition without the need to taper off Dexilant.

Dexilant is a brand-name prescription drug made by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Dexilant is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adults and adolescents 12 years and older to:

Heal erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus lining).
Maintain healing of erosive esophagitis (EE) and relieve heartburn symptoms.
Treat heartburn/acid reflux associated with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Dexilant delayed-release capsules contain dexlansoprazole and are available as both a generic and brand name drug. Dexilant is categorized in a drug class called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs. PPIs work by decreasing the amount of stomach acid secretion. Dexilant is a capsule that is taken by mouth. The capsule should be swallowed whole. For those who have trouble swallowing the Dexilant capsule, the capsule can be opened, and the granules can be mixed with a tablespoon of applesauce and consumed immediately.

In some cases, patients may be looking for an alternative treatment to Dexilant. Sometimes, certain side effects of Dexilant may be too bothersome. Even common side effects, such as diarrhea, can interfere with daily life. Or, a serious side effect could occur, such as kidney problems, bone fractures, or a severe skin or allergic reaction. Dexilant can also cause certain problems with long-term use, such as vitamin B12 deficiency, polyps in the stomach, and an increased risk of bone fractures. (PPIs can increase the risk of osteoporosis-related hip, wrist, or spine fractures, especially with high-dose and long-term use of one year or more. PPIs therefore should be taken at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration of time.)

In some cases, Dexilant may be tolerated well—but may not work as well as needed, so the healthcare provider may want to try another drug in the same class.

On the other hand, the price of Dexilant may be too high due to your insurance coverage. Whatever the reason, there are other alternatives to Dexilant that are available.

What can I take in place of Dexilant?

The table below highlights Dexilant (in bold) and common alternatives to Dexilant. All of the alternatives are FDA-approved prescription medications. Many of them also come in generic form.

Compare Dexilant alternatives
Drug name	Uses	Dosage	Savings options
Dexilant	Heal EE, maintain healing of EE, relief of heartburn associated with GERD	30 to 60 mg by mouth once daily	Dexilant coupons
Aciphex (rabeprazole)	Heal EE or ulcerative GERD, maintain healing of EE or ulcerative GERD, treat symptomatic GERD, heal duodenal ulcers (DU) Treat Helicobacter pylori (in combination with other medication) to lower risk of DU recurrence, treat hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome	20 mg by mouth once daily (the dose is higher for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)	Aciphex coupons
Axid (nizatidine)	Treat active DU Maintain healing of DU, treat EE and ulcerative esophagitis, treat heartburn due to GERD, treat active benign gastric ulcer (once a malignant ulcer is ruled out)	Dose depends on indication. A typical dose may be 150 mg by mouth twice daily or 300 mg at bedtime.	Nizatidine coupons
Nexium (esomeprazole)	Heal EE, maintain EE healing, treat symptomatic GERD, lower the risk of ulcers associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), treat Helicobacter pylori (in combination with other medication) to lower risk of DU recurrence, treat hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome	Dosage depends on indication. A typical dose is 20 mg or 40 mg by mouth once daily (the dose is higher for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome)	Nexium coupons
Pepcid (famotidine)	Treat active DU, treat active gastric ulcer, treat symptoms of GERD, treat EE due to GERD (diagnosed by biopsy), treat hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and multiple endocrine neoplasias, lower risk of DU recurrence	Dosage depends on indication; generally 20 or 40 mg by mouth once or twice daily	Pepcid coupons
Prevacid (lansoprazole)	Treat active DU, maintain healing of DU, treat Helicobacter pylori (in combination with other medication) to lower risk of DU recurrence, treat active benign gastric ulcer, heal NSAID-associated ulcer, lower the risk of NSAID-associated ulcers, treat symptomatic GERD, treat EE, maintain EE healing, treat hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome	Dosage depends on indication; a typical dose is 15 or 30 mg by mouth once daily	Prevacid coupons
Prilosec (omeprazole)	Treat active DU, treat Helicobacter pylori (in combination with other medication) to lower risk of DU recurrence, treat active benign gastric ulcer, treat symptomatic GERD, treat EE due to acid-mediated GERD, maintain EE healing, treat hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, multiple endocrine adenomas, and systemic mastocytosis	Dosage depends on indication; a typical dose is 20 mg or 40 mg by mouth once daily	Prilosec coupons
Protonix (pantoprazole)	Treat EE associated with GERD, maintain EE healing, treat hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome	40 mg by mouth once or twice daily	Protonix coupons
Tagamet (cimetidine)	Treat DU, maintain DU healing, treat active benign gastric ulcer, treat erosive GERD, treat hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, multiple endocrine adenomas, and systemic mastocytosis	Dosage depends on indication	Tagamet coupons

Other alternatives to Dexilant

Many of the above medications are available as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

Before taking an OTC drug, however, consult your healthcare provider for medical advice. OTC alternatives to Dexilant include:

Nexium 24 Hour OTC (esomeprazole)
Pepcid AC, Pepcid Max (famotidine)
Pepcid Complete (famotidine, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
Prevacid OTC 24 Hour (lansoprazole)
Prilosec OTC (omeprazole)
Tagamet HB (cimetidine)
Zantac 360 (famotidine)
Zegerid OTC (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate)

Top 5 Dexilant alternatives

When choosing a Dexilant alternative, note that Dexilant and its alternatives do not all have the same uses, or indications. Therefore, it is critical to consult your healthcare provider before making any changes. Although it can be tempting to pick up an OTC product, it is best to seek the advice of your healthcare professional before changing medications.

Prilosec (omeprazole)

Prilosec (omeprazole) can be used for the same purposes as Dexilant, and it has additional indications for use as well (see chart for details). Like Dexilant, Prilosec is a PPI, so it works the same way and has similar side effects. It is available in brand and generic, and both prescription and OTC. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, gas, and headache.

Nexium (esomeprazole)

Nexium (esomeprazole) is another PPI, so it works the same as Dexilant and Prilosec and has similar side effects. Nexium can treat the same conditions as Dexilant, and has additional uses, too. Common side effects of Nexium include stomach pain, constipation or diarrhea, nausea, gas, headache, dry mouth, dizziness, and vertigo.

Protonix (pantoprazole)

Protonix (pantoprazole) is also a PPI, like Dexilant, Prilosec, and Nexium. Protonix can treat the same conditions as Dexilant, as well as some others. Common Protonix side effects include stomach issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and stomach pain. Other common side effects include headache, dizziness, joint pain, and abnormal liver function tests.

Prevacid (lansoprazole)

Prevacid (lansoprazole) is another PPI that can be used to treat the same conditions as Dexilant, as well as several others. Common side effects of Prevacid include headache and diarrhea or constipation.

Pepcid (famotidine)

Pepcid, which contains the ingredient famotidine, is not a PPI. It is known as a histamine-2 (H2) receptor blocker. Pepcid can also treat EE and symptoms of GERD, like Dexilant. Common side effects of famotidine are headache, dizziness, altered taste, and constipation or diarrhea.

Natural alternatives to Dexilant

Many people ask if there are natural alternatives to Dexilant. Before using any vitamin or supplement, check with your healthcare professional to make sure it is safe with your medical conditions and other medications you take. Antacids, such as Tums, Rolaids, and Mylanta, may help with heartburn symptoms. However, they also can have side effects and drug interactions, so consult your provider before using them.

It may also be helpful to see a registered dietician, who can help you with dietary changes that may help avoid heartburn symptoms. For example, you may find that avoiding certain foods—such as citrus products, tomatoes, spicy foods, and caffeine—can help prevent symptoms. Certain lifestyle modifications can help prevent heartburn symptoms, as well. Sleeping with the head elevated, for example, and staying upright for a few hours after meals, are small changes that may make a big difference in GERD symptoms.

While these modifications may help, they are not a substitute for the advice of your healthcare provider, so always check with your provider for medical guidance.

How to switch to a Dexilant alternative

If you are interested in switching to a Dexilant alternative, you can:

Contact your insurance provider if the price is a concern. Ask which Dexilant alternatives are covered, and what the copay would be for each alternative. Consider the deductible as well.
Consult with your healthcare provider. Your provider may want to see you before switching your medication. Talk to your healthcare provider about your medical conditions and history, and alternative medications, along with potential drug interactions and side effects. If your provider decides to prescribe a Dexilant alternative, they can send the prescription to your pharmacy. Tell the pharmacist that you are switching from Dexilant to the new medication, so they can update your records. In most cases, you can switch immediately to the new medication without having to taper off Dexilant.
Search SingleCare for free coupons. SingleCare customers save up to 80% on drug prices, and the coupons can be applied to refills as well. SingleCare coupons can be used on OTC products at your local pharmacy, but must be accompanied by a prescription from a healthcare provider in order to apply the savings.