Prevacid vs. Dexilant

See how Prevacid and Dexilant compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Prevacid and Dexilant are both proton pump inhibitors that reduce stomach acid, but Prevacid is approved for a wider range of conditions, including ulcers and H. pylori eradication.

  • Dexilant uses a dual delayed-release formulation that provides two separate release phases, allowing once-daily dosing regardless of when you eat.

  • Prevacid comes in capsule, orally disintegrating tablet, and IV forms and is available over the counter, while Dexilant is only available as a prescription capsule.

Prevacid vs. Dexilant Drug Summary

Prevacid

Prevacid (lansoprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat GERD, ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and H. pylori infection, and to manage conditions that cause excess stomach acid. It comes as a delayed-release capsule, an orally disintegrating tablet, or an IV injection, taken once or twice daily depending on what's being treated.

Dexilant

Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor used to heal erosive esophagitis, maintain that healing, and relieve heartburn from non-erosive GERD. It's taken as a once-daily delayed-release capsule that releases medication in two phases, so it can be taken without regard to meal timing.

Prevacid vs. Dexilant Side Effects

Prevacid

Most common
abdominal pain (up to 5%)
diarrhea (up to 3.8%)
nausea (up to 3%)
headache (up to 7%)

Dexilant

Most common
abdominal pain (≥2%)
diarrhea (≥2%)
nausea (≥2%)
upper respiratory tract infection (≥2%)

Prevacid vs. Dexilant Dosage

Prevacid

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 15 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 60 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 3 increases As tolerated

Dexilant

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 30 mg once daily At the start
Maximum dose 60 mg once daily If needed
Dose changes 1 increase As tolerated

Prevacid vs. Dexilant Indications

Prevacid

Prevacid treats a broad range of acid-related conditions, including duodenal and gastric ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and GERD. It's also used with antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori infection and to manage rare conditions that cause excess acid production, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

  • Duodenal and gastric ulcer healing

  • Erosive esophagitis healing and maintenance

  • GERD, short-term and maintenance

  • H. pylori eradication with antibiotics

Dexilant

Dexilant is approved to heal erosive esophagitis of any severity, maintain that healing, and relieve heartburn from non-erosive GERD. Its dual-release design extends acid suppression through the day, supporting healing across all esophagitis grades.

  • Healing of erosive esophagitis, all grades

  • Maintenance of healed erosive esophagitis

  • Relief of heartburn from erosive esophagitis

  • Treatment of symptomatic non-erosive GERD

Prevacid vs. Dexilant Pros and Cons

Prevacid

Prevacid has been on the market since 1995 and covers the widest range of FDA-approved uses among PPIs, including ulcer healing and H. pylori therapy. It's sold in several forms, and both prescription and over-the-counter versions are available.

Pros

  • Approved for the broadest range of uses, including ulcers and H. pylori

  • Available as capsule, orally disintegrating tablet, or IV injection

  • Available over the counter as well as by prescription

  • Long track record of use, FDA-approved since 1995

Cons

  • Requires twice-daily dosing for H. pylori therapy, a more complex regimen

  • Long-term use linked to increased risk of fundic gland polyps

  • Not approved for symptomatic GERD in infants under 1 year of age

Dexilant

Dexilant is a newer PPI built around a dual delayed-release system that keeps acid suppression steady throughout the day. Its approved uses are narrower, focused on erosive esophagitis and GERD, but its once-daily capsule works regardless of meal timing.

Pros

  • Dual delayed-release formulation extends acid suppression across the day

  • Can be taken without regard to meal timing

  • Simple once-daily dosing for every approved use

  • Only two dose strengths, making the regimen straightforward

Cons

  • Narrower range of approved uses, limited to esophagitis and GERD

  • Not approved for ulcer healing or H. pylori eradication

  • Only available as a capsule, with no IV or dissolving tablet option

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