Dexilant

[AMerchant]

Hi All

I have been suffering from acid reflux (pain in epigastric region and heartburn) for nearly 2 years now on a on and off basis. I will have good few weeks or even a month and then it will come back. I have been using omeprazole 20mg once a day when I get these flare ups.

Reecently as the acidity wouldn't settle down my doctor changed the medication to Dexilant/Dexlansoprazole 60mg once a day

So far on day 6 and my acid reflux has really subsided and it has really helped .

Has anyone used this medication before?

Is it similar to having 2 dose of lansoprazole which I think is available in the UK?

Doctor has to take one a day for one month. Should I start to taper down towards the end of the month?

Is 60mg too heavy dose and what is the maintenance dose for this?

[Palmdate]

Hi, yes, I've just had my dose increased to 60 mg Lansprazole. I have the same question as you. I feel 60 mg is a high dose and how do I cut back without rebound acid reflux? I should add that I have had this condition for 12 years and up to now, have managed varying on nothing, 15mg, to 30mg of Lansprazole. Taking Lansprazole such a long time bothers me too. But the doctor just said it's the lesser of the two evils.

[Eddi50]

I don't have an answer for the Lansprazole question, but I take Pantaprozole. The side effects for long term use are not good- brittle bones, esophageal cancer, etc. My first bout with acid reflux was in 2012. It was misdiagnosed as asthma and was not properly treated for 4 months. My symptoms were not typical- coughing non-stop and very hoarse and sore throat. Anyway, I was finally correctly diagnosed by the pulmonologist (my x-ray incorrectly showed COPD) as acid reflux. I went on Pantaprozole for 2-8 week courses before it was under control. He said to continue, by my googling said it was NOT good for long term use. After much research, I discontinued taking it and went on a vegan diet with no alcohol, chocolate, bad high fat, vinegar, peppermint, sweets or other triggers and no overeating. NO SYMPTOMS FOR 8 YEARS! Then Covid came - friends and family were sending food for us - not vegan, and I just threw in the towel and went back on my SAD (standard American diet). I was ok for awhile. If i drank wine and my throat was sore, I immediately stopped, etc. Eventually, symptoms came back more and more frequently until I went away for the weekend with my daughter had 3 glasses of wine over the course of 2 days, little bites of chocolate and over ate at lunch. When I got home I had a bad attack and that was 9 weeks ago. I'm just getting it under control now. So, I'm not going totally vegan again (my husband is a carnivore) but very little red meat and chicken. I'm weaning off the Pantoprazole and will stop soon. My point is, check your diet and make changes! It's the only safe long term plan.I know it's hard, especially going out to eat with friends, but I know it works. Hope this helps.