Dexilant and Stomach Pain: What Users Say

• 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."

• jul...
• June 27, 2014

For Erosive Esophagitis "I've been taking Dexilant 60 mg for 10 days now. It was given to me because I felt like something was stuck in my throat... esophagitis. Well, it worked taking care of that problem, thank goodness. After taking it for 5 days, I started getting really tired, then headaches. This week, the headaches got worse, and I couldn't sleep at night. Also, chest, ears, and scalp itching like crazy. Then today, I started having very bad stomach pain. I thought about all these symptoms on the way home from work, and it all added up. I remembered that each evening I took the pill, about 30 minutes later, the itching began, and it was terrible. I didn't take it tonight, so hopefully, the itching, stomach pain, and headache will go away."

• 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."

• Dua...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2016

For GERD "Started 2 weeks ago with this Dexilant. Ever since then, my symptoms got worse: dizzy, stomach and lower back pain, hard to swallow food, passing gas, and burping a lot more. Would not recommend this drug to my enemy. If I knew what this drug did for me that made it worse, I would not have taken it. Worst drug on the market, and they want $300.00 for a month for this pill. NO WAY. Not me. No wonder why my insurance would not cover it. Believe me, if you are taking it and feel more sick than you did, STOP TAKING IT. Within a few days, when the drug gets out of your system, you will feel better, and you will not have to see a doctor or keep going to the hospital, and they find nothing wrong with you."

• lov...
• February 24, 2015

For GERD "I tried everything else on the market. Nexium works, but not as good as Dexilant. With Nexium, I got most of the listed side effects, plus my new insurance will not pay for Nexium prescription. I had to buy it over the counter and take double dosage, which came out to be about 46 instead of 23. I really need a prescription of 40 mg? I am glad I do not have stomach pain, lower back pain, dry mouth, etc., from taking Nexium. All the other acid reflux prescriptions or over the counter didn't work and gave me side effects. My new insurance will pay for Dexilant, but a small portion, and I couldn't afford the $150 a month co-pay. I found out that the maker of Dexilant will pay the remaining $130 for me, and I just have to pay $20 out of pocket."

• Kha...
• June 9, 2022

For GERD "In short, do not take Dexilant. An internal medicine doctor ‘casually’ prescribed Dexilant 30 mg for me for 2 months. After having taken it for 2 weeks, I started getting bloated. I continued 2 more weeks, then GERD started to reduce. I continued 2 more weeks, and then I was getting very uncomfortable with the bloating and stomach cramps, so I stopped (1.5 months total). Even though I stopped it, my stomach pains, gut pains, back pains, and cramps got worse! I cannot eat normally, I eat very little food as my whole digestive system is irritated now. I’ve lost 10 kg… this medicine should not be used. People (not even doctors) have good awareness about the likelihood of the bad side effects it delivers to people."

• gnb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2018

For GERD "Prevacid wasn't relieving my stomach pain, so I went to a walk-in clinic. She gave me Dexilant. After one dose, I felt okay but still developed stomach pain after eating. The next day, watery, explosive diarrhea, plus a headache all night and the same day. All my family ate the same thing, but it's only me. I'm stopping to see if this is the cause. I won't try again after seeing it happens to a lot of people."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2021

For GERD "I went into anaphylaxis from Dexilant in 2011. On day 5, I kept going in and out of consciousness with severe stomach pain and vomiting. After I was in the ER room, I lost complete control of my bowels as well as continued vomiting, sweating profusely, high heart rate, and kept losing consciousness. I was in CCU for 3 days. Once released from the hospital, I was on bed rest for two solid weeks. I learned I am allergic to this class of medication. I still have flashbacks to this experience and am permanently scared of unfamiliar prescription medications."

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2017

For GERD "Received samples from the doctor's office to last for 1 month. My symptoms were stomach pain, heartburn, and excessive burping for around 5 days before getting an appointment. Within 2 days, all the symptoms described above were 90 percent better, but almost from day 2, I started having very soft stools, which could turn to loose stools later in the day. Not uncommon to have 4-5 bowel movements in a day. Starting with week 4, I started feeling burning sensations in my back, and the stomach pain and burping returned, although it has been to a lesser degree. I do not intend to take any more and will explore other options with the doctor. Do your research on PPIs, they can act as a mask for more serious issues."

• LL2...
• October 12, 2017

For GERD "I had a bad experience with this drug. I have taken Zegrid for years and felt like I may need something stronger. My doctor gave me Dexilant 30 mg samples to try. I experienced nausea, body aches, stomach pain, gas, and excessive burping. On second thought, I will keep using Zegrid! After one day of stopping this medicine, my symptoms went away."