Protonix vs. Dexilant

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

Key Takeaways

  • Both drugs are proton pump inhibitors that reduce stomach acid, but Dexilant's dual-release capsule allows once-daily dosing without regard to meal timing, while Protonix is typically taken before a meal.

  • Protonix comes in tablet, oral suspension, and IV forms and is approved for children as young as 1, while Dexilant is only a capsule and only approved for patients 12 and older.

  • Protonix has a much wider typical price range, including low-cost generic options, while Dexilant's list price sits in a narrower, generally higher range.

Protonix vs. Dexilant Drug Summary

Protonix

Protonix (pantoprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor used to heal and maintain healing of erosive esophagitis from GERD and to control pathological hypersecretory conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It comes as a delayed-release tablet, oral suspension, or IV injection, taken once or twice daily depending on the condition.

Dexilant

Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor used to heal erosive esophagitis, maintain that healing, and relieve heartburn from non-erosive GERD. It is taken as a single once-daily capsule that uses a dual-release design, so dosing does not depend on meal timing.

Protonix vs. Dexilant Side Effects

Protonix

Most common
diarrhea (up to 9%)
abdominal pain (>2%)
nausea (>2%)
headache (>2%)

Dexilant

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

Protonix vs. Dexilant Dosage

Protonix

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 40 mg once daily Weeks 1-8
Maximum dose 80 mg twice daily If needed
Dose changes 2 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

Protonix vs. Dexilant Indications

Protonix

Protonix is FDA-approved for short-term treatment and maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis caused by GERD. It is also approved for pathological hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which require higher and more frequent dosing. It is not approved for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

  • Short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis (GERD)

  • Maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis

  • Pathological hypersecretory conditions (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison)

  • Not approved for immediate heartburn relief

Dexilant

Dexilant is FDA-approved to heal erosive esophagitis of any grade and to maintain that healing over time. It is also approved to treat symptomatic non-erosive GERD, including direct relief of heartburn. It is not approved for use in children under 12.

  • Healing of erosive esophagitis, all grades

  • Maintenance of healed erosive esophagitis

  • Relief of heartburn from non-erosive GERD

  • Not approved for children under 12

Protonix vs. Dexilant Pros and Cons

Protonix

Protonix comes in tablet, oral suspension, and intravenous forms, making it usable across outpatient and hospital settings, and it is approved for children as young as 1 year old. It also offers flexible dosing for pathological hypersecretory conditions requiring higher doses. This versatility comes with a typical requirement to take it before a meal for full effect.

Pros

  • Available in tablet, oral suspension, and IV forms

  • Approved for children as young as 1 year old

  • Flexible dosing for pathological hypersecretory conditions

Cons

  • Generally works best when taken before a meal

  • Not approved for on-demand relief of heartburn

  • Hypersecretory conditions require twice-daily dosing

Dexilant

Dexilant's dual-release capsule delivers two separate waves of medication, allowing once-daily dosing that does not depend on meal timing. It is also directly approved to relieve heartburn symptoms from non-erosive GERD. This convenience comes in a single capsule form, with no IV option and no pediatric approval below age 12.

Pros

  • Can be taken once daily without regard to meal timing

  • Directly approved to relieve heartburn from non-erosive GERD

  • Simple two-strength, once-daily dosing regimen

Cons

  • Only available as an oral capsule, no IV option

  • Not approved for children under 12

  • Costs more, roughly $270 to $470/month before insurance

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