Dexlion30 mg

Erosive Esophagitis (EE)

Dexlion is an established, FDA-approved indication for healing of all grades of erosive esophagitis for up to 8 weeks in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older. Dexlion is also indicated for maintenance of healed erosive esophagitis and relief of heartburn for up to 6 months in adults (up to 16 weeks in patients 12 to 17 years of age).

Symptomatic Non-Erosive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Dexlion is an established indication for treatment of heartburn associated with symptomatic non-erosive GERD for 4 weeks in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older.

Each Dexlansoprazole delayed-release capsule contains Dexlansoprazole 30 mg or Dexlansoprazole 60 mg as the active ingredient.

Dexlion is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medicine used to reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Dexlion is commonly prescribed to heal acid-related damage to the food pipe (erosive esophagitis) and to relieve persistent heartburn caused by acid reflux (GERD). Dexlion uses a special dual delayed-release capsule technology that releases Dexlion in two stages, allowing once-daily dosing to control stomach acid over a longer period. Dexlion is taken by mouth, usually once a day, with or without food, and the dose and length of treatment with Dexlion depend on the condition being treated. As with all proton pump inhibitors, Dexlion should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration appropriate for the condition.

Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI)

Dexlansoprazole is the R-enantiomer of lansoprazole and works by irreversibly inhibiting the hydrogen-potassium ATPase (proton pump) enzyme system at the secretory surface of gastric parietal cells, blocking the final step of acid production. Dexlansoprazole is formulated as a Dual Delayed-Release (DDR) capsule containing two types of enteric-coated granules with different pH-dependent release profiles, producing two separate plasma concentration peaks (approximately 1-2 hours and 4-5 hours after dosing) and extending the duration of acid suppression compared with conventional single-release PPIs. Dexlansoprazole is extensively metabolized in the liver, mainly via the CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 enzyme pathways, and has an elimination half-life of approximately 1-2 hours.

• Dexlion capsules may be taken with or without food.
• Swallow the Dexlion capsule whole; do not crush or chew it.
• If swallowing the capsule whole is difficult, the Dexlion capsule may be opened and the granules sprinkled onto a tablespoon of applesauce, then swallowed immediately without chewing; the mixture should not be stored for later use.
• As directed by a healthcare professional, the granules from an opened Dexlion capsule may also be mixed with water and given through an oral syringe or a nasogastric tube.
• If a dose of Dexlion is missed, take it as soon as remembered; if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular schedule. Do not take two doses of Dexlion at one time.
• Take Dexlion at the same time each day for the best effect.

• Clopidogrel: Dexlion may modestly reduce formation of the active metabolite of clopidogrel through CYP2C19 inhibition; in clinical studies with Dexlion this reduction was small (about 9%) and was not considered clinically important, but clinical judgment is advised when Dexlion is combined with clopidogrel.
• Methotrexate (high-dose): Concomitant use of Dexlion with high-dose methotrexate may elevate and/or prolong serum methotrexate levels, increasing the risk of methotrexate toxicity; a temporary interruption of Dexlion may be considered by the prescriber.
• Warfarin: Concomitant use with Dexlion may increase INR and prothrombin time, raising bleeding risk; INR/PT monitoring is recommended.
• Drugs dependent on gastric pH for absorption (e.g., certain antifungal and antiretroviral drugs such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, atazanavir): Because Dexlion reduces stomach acidity, Dexlion can lower the absorption and effectiveness of these drugs.
• Rilpivirine-containing products: Concurrent use with Dexlion is contraindicated because Dexlion significantly decreases rilpivirine plasma concentrations and can cause loss of antiviral effect.
• Tacrolimus: Dexlion may increase tacrolimus blood concentrations, particularly in patients who are CYP2C19 intermediate or poor metabolizers; monitoring of tacrolimus levels is advised.
• Digoxin: Dexlion may increase digoxin exposure; monitoring for digoxin toxicity is recommended.
• Strong CYP2C19/CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, St. John's Wort): These may substantially decrease Dexlion concentrations and reduce its effectiveness; concomitant use should generally be avoided.

Common Side Effects

Diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, vomiting, and flatulence are the most commonly reported side effects of Dexlion. In adolescents (12-17 years), headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nasopharyngitis, and oropharyngeal pain have also been reported with Dexlion.

Serious Side Effects - Seek Medical Attention

• Signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) such as swelling of the face or throat, severe rash, or difficulty breathing.
• Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis (blistering or peeling skin).
• Signs of kidney problems (acute tubulointerstitial nephritis), such as decreased urination, blood in urine, or swelling.
• Persistent, watery, or bloody diarrhea, which may indicate Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (see Precautions and Warnings).
• Signs of liver problems, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe abdominal pain.
• New or worsening joint pain with a rash on the cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight (possible cutaneous or systemic lupus erythematosus).
• Signs of low magnesium, such as seizures, irregular heartbeat, tremors, or muscle spasms, particularly with long-term Dexlion use (see Precautions and Warnings).
• A bone fracture, particularly of the hip, wrist, or spine, associated with long-term Dexlion use (see Precautions and Warnings).

Pregnancy

There are no adequate, well-controlled studies of Dexlion use in pregnant women. Animal reproduction studies with Dexlion showed effects on fetal/offspring bone development (reduced femur weight, femur length, and growth plate thickness) at maternal exposures around 1.8 times the recommended human dose. Dexlion should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus, and pregnant women should discuss the use of Dexlion with their healthcare provider.

Breastfeeding

It is not known whether Dexlion passes into human breast milk; related lansoprazole metabolites have been detected in the milk of lactating rats. The decision to use Dexlion while breastfeeding should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding and the mother's clinical need for Dexlion against any potential risk to the infant, and should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional.

• Gastric malignancy: A symptomatic response to Dexlion does not exclude the presence of gastric cancer; consider further evaluation, especially in older patients or those with alarm symptoms such as unexplained weight loss or persistent vomiting.
• Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis: This kidney condition may occur at any point during treatment with Dexlion; discontinue promptly if it is suspected.
• Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea: Proton pump inhibitors such as Dexlion may be associated with an increased risk of C. difficile infection, particularly in hospitalized patients; use Dexlion at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration needed.
• Bone fracture risk: Long-term use of Dexlion, especially at high doses and for a year or longer, has been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine; at-risk patients should follow guidance on adequate calcium and vitamin D intake and use the lowest effective Dexlion dose.
• Hypomagnesemia: Low blood magnesium has been reported with prolonged Dexlion use, generally after 3 months or more and most often after a year; healthcare providers may consider checking magnesium levels before and periodically during long-term Dexlion therapy.
• Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency: Long-term use of Dexlion, generally longer than 3 years, may reduce absorption of vitamin B12; monitor for signs of deficiency if long-term Dexlion use is required.
• Cutaneous and systemic lupus erythematosus: New-onset or worsening lupus has been reported with PPI use, including Dexlion; discontinue Dexlion and refer to a specialist if manifestations occur.
• Fundic gland polyps: Long-term use of Dexlion, especially beyond 1 year, is associated with an increased risk of benign fundic gland polyps; use the shortest duration of Dexlion appropriate for the condition.
• Interference with diagnostic testing: Dexlion can cause false-positive results in tests for neuroendocrine tumors (chromogranin A) and in secretin stimulation tests; Dexlion should be temporarily stopped before these tests as advised by the prescriber.
• Methotrexate co-administration: See Drug Interactions; high-dose methotrexate combined with Dexlion may require temporary interruption of Dexlion.

There is limited experience with Dexlion overdose, and no cases involving serious harm or death have been reported. If an overdose of Dexlion is suspected, do not induce vomiting unless specifically directed to do so by a doctor or a poison control center. Seek immediate medical attention or contact an emergency or poison control service. Treatment of Dexlion overdose is symptomatic and supportive; Dexlion is not effectively removed by hemodialysis.

Store Dexlion according to the instructions on the product label, and keep Dexlion out of the reach of children.

Children

The safety and effectiveness of Dexlion have been established only in patients 12 years of age and older. Dexlion is not recommended in children younger than 2 years of age because of a potential risk of heart valve (mitral valve) thickening observed in animal studies, and Dexlion has not been shown to be effective for symptomatic GERD in infants 1 month to less than 1 year of age. Use of Dexlion in children below 12 years of age should only occur under specialist guidance.

Elderly

No overall differences in the safety or effectiveness of Dexlion were observed between elderly and younger patients in clinical trials, although elimination of Dexlion may be slower and drug exposure somewhat higher in older adults. No dose adjustment of Dexlion is required based on age alone, but elderly patients using Dexlion long-term should be monitored for bone, magnesium, and vitamin B12-related risks (see Precautions and Warnings).

Renal Impairment

No dosage adjustment of Dexlion is required in patients with renal impairment, as Dexlion is primarily eliminated through the liver rather than the kidneys.

Hepatic Impairment

No dose adjustment of Dexlion is needed in mild hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class A). In moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B), the recommended dose of Dexlion for healing erosive esophagitis is reduced to 30 mg once daily. Dexlion is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C), as Dexlion has not been studied in this population.

The duration of Dexlion treatment depends on the indication: healing of erosive esophagitis is typically treated with Dexlion for up to 8 weeks; maintenance therapy after healing, to keep the esophagitis healed and control heartburn, may continue with Dexlion for up to 6 months in adults (up to 16 weeks in patients 12-17 years); and symptomatic non-erosive GERD is generally treated with Dexlion for 4 weeks. Long-term or repeated courses of Dexlion should be reviewed periodically by a healthcare professional, given the risks associated with prolonged PPI use (see Precautions and Warnings).

Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI); Antisecretory / Antiulcer agent

Dexlansoprazole irreversibly binds to and inhibits the hydrogen-potassium ATPase (H+/K+-ATPase) enzyme, or proton pump, located on the surface of gastric parietal cells, thereby blocking the final step of gastric acid secretion regardless of the stimulus.

Dexlion is approved for use only in patients 12 years of age and older for the labeled indications. The safety and effectiveness of Dexlion have not been established in children below 12 years of age. Dexlion is not recommended in children under 2 years of age because of a possible risk of heart valve thickening seen in animal studies, and studies have not shown Dexlion (or its parent compound lansoprazole) to be effective for symptomatic GERD in infants aged 1 month to less than 1 year.