Dexilant and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Mrs...
• October 8, 2013

For GERD "After trying Omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), and other over-the-counter proton pump inhibitors over the years, I found they were not doing the trick. I had a perpetual sore throat for a few months, and finally went to the ENT who said the acid was burning my esophagus. He put me on Dexilant, which cured that after about 3 weeks. I stayed on it for a few months, the sore throat went away completely, and I never had acid problems after that. This is expensive but worth it! It is the best thing out there, and the trick to taking it is you have to take it first thing in the morning, 30 mins before any food on an empty stomach. If you have ANY food in your stomach, you will get diarrhea."

• Anonymous
• November 13, 2011

For GERD "Been taking Dexilant for over a year. Have had diarrhea almost daily and have now begun having joint pain and a general tiredness and ill feeling. Works great for reflux but seems to be having an adverse effect on my entire system."

• Pet...
• February 12, 2012

For GERD "This medication after using it for a month plus has ended me up in the emergency room for severe chest pains, dizziness, high blood pressure, occasional diarrhea, tightness in the chest, cramps, and muscle aches."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2020

For GERD "I developed GERD as a result of taking medications for Parkinson’s disease that irritated my stomach. Once I’d tried a few acid-reducing medicines that failed to work, my doctor prescribed Dexilant. The first time I took it, I had horrible stomach pains and several of the ‘rare’ side effects listed by the manufacturer. Most were what I’d call moderate to severe. Nonetheless, I took the medicine again because I’d been told that it can take a few days for the body to adjust to the drug—and indeed on Day 2, the side effects were much milder and I had no acid reflux. Success!—or so I thought. But Day 3 was a nightmare from the beginning. I had lots of pain—stomach, joint, muscle, throat—terrible diarrhea, and more. And to add insult to injury, my reflux returned and continued at regular intervals throughout the day and night. I have never had a medicine make me so miserable or scare me so much. Need I say I can’t recommend this drug?"

• Anonymous
• June 22, 2011

For GERD "Dexilant gave me every side effect on the label. Not good. I have never had diarrhea like this before. Pain in my stomach, chest pain, like having a heart attack. This has been the worst experience I have ever had. I sure hope others read this before taking this medicine. It should be taken off the market."

• kdb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 21, 2013

For GERD "Dexilant seems to work better than Prilosec for me, although my symptoms wax and wane. Some days I feel good, other days, I can tell the medicine isn't working well. Not really sure how that is possible since I take it at the same time every day! I do get horrible gas and diarrhea and always end up stopping the meds for a day or two. However, I recently read that Kefir could help with acid reflux, so I started drinking it. It prevents the horrible gas and diarrhea that the Dexilant causes. One glass a day, and I am good! Now I can take the medicine daily as prescribed and hope that it resolves what is causing my GERD. I highly suggest the Kefir for those not tolerating the medicine otherwise."

• Baz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2014

For GERD "I was taking 60 mg at the same time every day. It seemed to work better at controlling my GERD symptoms after about a month. But around the same time, I developed debilitating diarrhea. I continued to take it for another month, and the diarrhea didn't go away, so I stopped taking it. It's only been a couple of days so far, and it still hasn't gotten any better."

• ria...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2017

For GERD "I had an endoscopy. Thank goodness it's not an ulcer or H. pylori. Since diagnosed with mild gastritis, but then the doctor gave me Dexilant, domperidone, and Gaviscon. It's compulsory to take Dexilant every day for 2 weeks, but then I had nausea all day, diarrhea 3-4 times a day, my body getting weak and no appetite. It's getting worse in the office due to the side effect. After 10 days, I stopped. I could not take it anymore, although the nurse asked me to continue it. The day after, I could eat without having nausea anymore. I don't even need to go to the bathroom every time every day. If you experience the same thing as me, STOP it because your body has rejected it and caused weakness, body aches and cramps, nausea, diarrhea. Trust me."

• Pin...
• June 29, 2016

For GERD "My experience has been better than my preexisting condition. I was prescribed a 25-day dose of Dexilant in order to treat some possible ulcers and gastritis in my intestines. I was having severe abdominal pain. A week in, the medicine had treated the pain quite effectively. I only get mild cramping now and then. I have experienced some side effects, including diarrhea, back pain, and a slight irregular heartbeat. However, it has mitigated the stomach pain quite well, and my symptoms seem to be slowly improving. Good for short-term treatment, but I wouldn't recommend long-term treatment (at least for ulcers or gastritis) due to side effects."

• Anonymous
• April 19, 2012

For GERD "This was a dream come true...until the diarrhea came. I had zero GERD symptoms for the first time in 14 yrs. It was so disappointing when I developed uncontrollable diarrhea that lasted 22 days. I stopped taking the medication, and it took another week for the symptoms to go away. I gave it a 2-month break, tried it again when I was having a very bad day with my hiatal hernia and GERD. It only took 2 days for the symptoms to come back this time. Really very sad I have to choose between pain and diarrhea."

• Anonymous
• January 31, 2011

For GERD "Works great for the heartburn. Received a sample from the doctor and took it for 10 days, no problem till day 9/10. Started with terrible abdominal pain, gas, and diarrhea. Still have diarrhea about an hour after I eat and first thing in the morning. Stopped taking the medicine about 5 days ago. Will have to go back to the Protonix and deal with the breakthrough heartburn. The difference between Protonix and Dexilant is that Dexilant has a short-acting and long-acting medication in it to prevent breakthrough heartburn."

• hsm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2014

For Barrett's Esophagus "I suffered from GERD for over 4 years and have tried everything. I was eating Tums like candy and taking Prilosec. Then I started with the acid reflux in my sleep and woke up gagging and vomiting. I had a scope 2 months ago and was told I have high-grade dysplasia Barrett's. The doctor put me on 60 mg Dexilant daily. Within 2 days, I was in heaven! Works wonders, but now I have diarrhea that is constant. It started a few days after I started to take it. Other than that, it works wonders. I can actually sleep in my bed instead of the recliner."

• Mrs...
• September 19, 2011

For GERD "I started taking this after it was recommended by a second GI doctor who performed an endoscopic ultrasound in an attempt to determine the cause of my chest pain (recently diagnosed as nutcracker esophagus). I had been on AciPhex for years with excellent results, but Dexilant has been giving me a host of symptoms. My acid reflux has returned, and I have developed severe diarrhea, gas, and bloating that is resistant to all anti-diarrhea medications - both OTC and prescription. Hopefully, I will go back to AciPhex next week. I don't think I can stand this much longer."

• Fox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 24, 2016

For GERD "I have severe acid reflux for the past 10 years and always have struggled finding relief until I found this medication back when it was called Kapidex. The name was changed because it sounded too much like the medication Aciphex. I started off taking over-the-counter medication, then went on to Prevacid when it was prescription at a very high dose. The beauty of this medication, unlike most other medications in the same category, when taken, it begins to work and usually works for me longer than 24 hours, so if I miss a dose, I do not have to worry my stomach will hurt and have diarrhea. The only downside to this medication and others like it is the depletion of calcium in the bones, making a broken bone easier to obtain."

• Anonymous
• September 5, 2011

For GERD "Took Dexilant delayed release 60 mg for 8 days and experienced diarrhea and stomach pain starting the third day. Hoped it would resolve after a few days but did not. Have continued to have abdominal pain and now constipation and strange-colored stool (white to clay) for more than a week after stopping the medicines. Back to omeprazole for me and then to my doctor if this doesn't stop soon. Dexilant did not work for me."

• Jef...
• June 7, 2017

For GERD "It all started well, but about 3 days into the process of taking Dexilant 60 mg once a day, all hell broke loose. I had explosive diarrhea and also had the feeling of wanting to vomit. I stopped taking the meds. After my endo and colonoscopy, my gastroenterologist returned me to a lower 30 mg dose. I already had my misgivings on the meds, but as a good patient, followed my gastroenterologist's prescription. Right on the first dose, I again experienced loose bowel movement, as in every 15 to 20 minutes of watery discharge. I also immediately felt weak. This med gave such an adverse side effect that I decided not to take it anymore, whatever wrath comes when I see my GE again. Plus, it is very expensive."

• Crz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2016

For GERD "I have been taking Prilosec for years, but noticed that lately it doesn't seem to be as effective. I went to a new GI who gave me samples of Dexilant to try. I took one 60 mg pill yesterday afternoon, and in the middle of the night, I developed horrible muscle cramping in my lower back and legs that had me in tears. I couldn't get out of bed all day today, and when I finally got up and ate a little bit, I developed painful abdominal cramping and explosive diarrhea. It has been going on for hours now. All of this after one dose! I rarely ever have problems with side effects of medications. I will NEVER take this stuff again! I just wish I had tried the doctor's samples for a few days before I picked up the prescription."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2011

For GERD "I started with GERD symptoms in August 2010. Tried over-the-counter medications and my NP prescribed Aciphex. No change. Discouraged. She then prescribed Dexilant, and it has been a miracle. I can drink a cup of coffee again. However, for a month now, I have the diarrhea side effect, but I'll put up with it for now."

• Gab...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 8, 2016

For Barrett's Esophagus "Have had Barrett's esophagus for 15 years. After numerous other drugs, primarily Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid, my doctor changed me to Dexilant. It works much better than the rest. Prilosec and Nexium both caused headaches and diarrhea. Some say Dexilant is the same medicine, but I have no side effects at all while taking it. Last endoscopy showed Barrett's is mostly healed. Great results!"

• KyK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2016

For GERD "I was prescribed this for GERD caused by gastroparesis. After 1 week, I developed severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas, and vomiting. I also felt short of breath, anxious, and dizzy. I stopped this medicine and will never take it again. I would not recommend this medicine to anyone, ever. Wish I could give it a 0."

• Pun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2018

For GERD "I was prescribed this after 2 years of little success with Prilosec. 6 hours after taking the first pill, thought I had the flu. Chills, nausea, diarrhea. The next day, had no energy whatsoever. Missed an important event. Thought maybe I had food poisoning, so didn’t take another pill until 3 days later. Took a pill and, 6 hours later, in the same shape again but worse. Stabbing pains in head and chest, horrible diarrhea, hands stiff, no energy. Hope I survive 2 pills!! Ugh"

• Anonymous
• August 24, 2012

For GERD "First day to take it, I realized I was not going to die. My chest had been hurting so bad, and I had lost 40 pounds from not being able to eat. I had to have my gallbladder removed (which causes diarrhea) about a week before I was prescribed Dexilant, so if it does give me diarrhea, I wouldn't notice. So far, no side effects."

• Dea...
• August 23, 2011

For GERD "This sample was given to me, and it is 60 mg. I was told to take 3x per day with meals. Burning stopped right away, but now I have severe diarrhea after 4 days and feel so bloated. Doctor told me to go on a liquid diet and discontinue use. I will see him in 2 days."

• jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2015

For GERD "Worked for my GERD... but I had not done my homework and mistakenly thought (since it's flu season) that the raging flu symptoms I had for 3 weeks in a row were just bad luck - I had caught them all! One right after another! No! Most notable symptom is screaming burning diarrhea, but seriously... I've been off it a week and up all night again tonight with diarrhea because I ate today. This is awful. When will my gut be back to normal...? I'm taking probiotic acidophilus and cheap previously reliable anti-diarrhea pills, no relief! One month now without a solid stool, this can't be good, calling the doctor on Monday since stopping the med has not corrected the problem."

• San...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2016

For GERD "Worked well for GERD but could not continue to take it. After about a week, I got diarrhea that would not stop. Even had a few accidents upon sneezing. Other PPIs did not do this and cost much less. No thank you."