Dexlansoprazole and Headaches: What Users Say

• SCF...
• June 28, 2016

For GERD "I've had severe acid reflux for 15 years. Tried every PPI out there. Several years ago, I was prescribed Dexilant 60 mg once daily. I thought it worked very well. Then, adverse effects came in, such as leg, hand, and feet cramping. I developed headaches, and my magnesium level is at 0.5, critical at this point. I was hospitalized two days ago with severe muscle cramps in my back. Thought it was kidney stones. I have not been able to move freely, and my quality of life has changed dramatically. I have been prescribed Valium 40 mg a day to be able to sleep and move around. If someone had told me that this drug would cause these effects in the future, I PROMISE you I would never have taken it to start. There is a dependency issue too."

• Anonymous
• December 20, 2011

For GERD "I have been taking Dexilant for almost a year now, and although it helps with my heartburn, I have gained weight. I am tired a lot. I have now developed sinus problems, and I am getting a lot of headaches. I am not sure if any of these are noted side effects, but this is what is happening to me."

• 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."

• Lai...
• October 1, 2016

For GERD "The most horrible drug I ever took. Went to the bathroom nonstop, food allergies, difficulty swallowing, severe headache, fatigue, muscle aches, anxiety, IBS bloating, weight loss. Such a terrible experience."

• 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!"

• T-r...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 18, 2019

For GERD "Have been on this medication for years and has worked well. No real side effects until about a year ago with joint pain and headaches. Now insurance will not pay for this PPI, but others it does. ????? How does that work ????? I guess I will try a new prescription that they will pay for and see what happens. I thought the joint pain and headaches were just old age, but apparently it's not just that according to what I've been reading with everyone else. Don't get me wrong, the medicine is great but just not long term."

• jan...
• March 15, 2014

For Barrett's Esophagus "I had a Barrett procedure and started taking Dexilant. It worked miracles for my acid reflux. I could eat anything and feel perfect, but I started getting lots of headaches (day and night), ear discomfort with pressure and noise, my blood pressure jumped to the sky, and a feeling of tiredness all day. I stopped the medication abruptly, and now I feel like something is stuck in my throat, but otherwise, I am feeling so much better. The doctor is going to put me on something else... so sad Dexilant didn't work for me."

• Rac...
• July 28, 2009

For Erosive Esophagitis "Had acid reflux. I lost my voice from it for 6 weeks, went to an ear-nose-throat doctor. Got Nexium, which gave extreme headaches as a side effect. Another doctor gave me 30 free samples of Kapidex 60 mg. I got no headaches. Took 1 pill, and my voice is returning to normal. Good product. Doctor may give Pepcid AC or 300 mg of Zantac if your insurance doesn't cover it."

• D M...
• January 22, 2018

For GERD "I started getting silent GERD issues that were hurting and bothering my throat... I tried Prilosec but only got night panic attacks. So I went to the doctor. The doctor gave me free samples of Dexilant 60 mg. At first, it gave me some relief, but now I’m having crazy side effects: diarrhea, panic attacks, stomach cramps (bad), sweaty palms, headache. If I don’t take it right on time, my acid gets worse and then I get bad bad panic attacks (hyperventilations, racing heart). I don’t know what to do. It’s frustrating, and I almost wish I never started this medication!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2021

For GERD "Horrible experience. Only took 60 mg for a week to help treat heartburn. Made the heartburn 10x worse than before, plus tightness in the chest. Non-stop headache and body aches. Felt sweaty and feverish. I also experienced terrible anxiety, panic, and sadness. Between the constant pain, sudden unexplained anxiety, depression, and inability to focus, it made me feel like I was losing it. I’m 24 hours off the drug and feel 90% like myself again. Still have tightness in my chest, a little anxiety, and a mild headache."

• jbi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2019

For Barrett's Esophagus "Originally diagnosed with GERD and prescribed Pantoprazole. It gave me headaches and nausea. I would come home from work and lay on the couch all evening. Saw my GI doctor and changed to Ranitidine. Much better and didn't make me such that it gave me headaches. Then, I had my second GI scope in 2 years and was now diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus. The surgeon put me back on Pantoprazole and after 4 days I had to stop taking it for the same reasons as before. The GI doctor gave me samples (15 days' worth) for Dexilant. After 7 days I haven't had headaches or nausea. I checked with my pharmacy and it will cost me over $200/month. Ugh! A coupon from the manufacturer could get it for as low as $20. But I won't know until I actually get a prescription filled and use the coupon. But so far, it's working. I haven't had any heartburn since I started taking it. But I'm also still taking the Ranitidine in the evening."

• Did...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2022

For GERD "I had severe reactions when taking Pantoprazole, so my doctor put me on Dexilant. After taking one capsule, I felt very spaced out and not with it. Then my left arm started feeling numb and funny, and I got a bad headache and my joints hurt. But then I got pain and gas so bad it puts pressure on the vagus nerve and feels like you're going to die until you release the gas buildup. Looks like my body just can't handle any sort of PPIs. Also, a terrible taste of chemicals in the back of my mouth and lips for a very long time."

• Jun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2021

For GERD "I was prescribed 60 mg for stomach pain/acid reflux. At first, it gave me a headache. After a month and a half, I got very bad hives and itchy skin from it. I had to stop. Once I stopped, the acid in my stomach was super worse, but I used Gaviscon for a couple of days, and I ate healthy since I was told it was acid reflux. No coffee, no black tea, no alcohol, no fatty fried foods, lots of veggies, and low carb and sugar. Nutrition seems to be helping. The acid is reducing slowly. I don't even think I needed the pills. I can't believe they prescribe these before checking your diet with a nutritionist."

• gha...
• December 17, 2018

For GERD "I have been taking Dexilant for 5 days. Since the second day, it has caused a headache for me, so I have decided to stop it."