Why is Dexilant So Expensive? Save with Generic & Alternatives
speciality medications
GERD—or gastroesophageal reflux disease—and acid reflux occurs when the powerful acids that usually stay in your stomach travel elsewhere. While your stomach lining is built to withstand that acid, other tissues (like the lining of your esophagus) aren’t.
When acid meets delicate esophageal tissue, a lot of pain happens.
And when that pain happens, people who are managing GERD or acid reflux need effective ways to treat it.
For many patients, Dexilant is one such effective treatment.
Unfortunately, like many high-quality brand-name medications in the United States, Dexilant is often priced outside (far outside) most people’s financial comfort zones.
Wondering why Dexilant is so expensive—and, more importantly—if there’s anything you can do about it? Here, we’ll talk about why Dexilant is priced so high, your options, and specific ways to save on your prescription medications.
What Is Dexilant and How Does It Work?
First, let’s cover some foundational information.
Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) is a type of medication called a “proton pump inhibitor.”
This means it targets and stops the action of a type of tiny machine in your body called a proton pump. When this proton pump, which usually produces acid, is switched off, there should be less acid overall in your stomach.
Proton pump inhibitors like Dexilant can treat GERD, acid reflux, and erosive esophagitis by reducing total acid. This allows your esophageal lining time to heal any damage incurred.
How Is Dexilant Unique?
Of course, Dexilant is not the only proton pump inhibitor on the market. What, then, makes it a compelling option?
Dexilant offers patients…
- A dual delayed-release mechanism. Dexilant releases its active ingredient in two specific phases, which can give the patient a way to provide acid control for 24 full hours.
- Easy-to-manage dosing. Dexilant is only taken once daily, and it can be taken with or without food. This makes it very simple to incorporate Dexilant into your already-existing daily routine.
Why Is Dexilant So Expensive?
In the United States, a one-month supply of Dexilant can cost as much as $443.00 per month.
Why is that?
There are a few factors that may drive Dexilant’s high price. They include:
Patent protection. After Dexilant’s manufacturer, created Dexilant, and was able to apply for a protected period of time during which only they were able to profit off Dexilant.
While Dexilant was under patent protection, no other company was able to create an off-brand version of Dexilant. A couple of the patents on Dexilant have already expired, so you may be able to find generic Dexilant for some indications and in some places.
However, during that time of protection, brand Dexilant was able to create a name for itself. Many doctors and patients still prefer the branded, higher-cost version of the drug.
Sophisticated manufacturing requirements. Creating a drug requires a lot of upfront investments, from specialized machinery to teams of highly educated personnel and precise, pure, hard-to-find ingredients.
By pricing its drug high, the manufacturer is able to recoup some of those upfront costs.
Limited insurance coverage. Some insurers may cover Dexilant, which helps people who are able to access and afford insurance. Other insurers categorize Dexilant as a “non-preferred medication,” which can make it difficult for even insured people to get approval or coverage for Dexilant.
This can lead to higher costs with insurance, or even the necessity of paying for Dexilant out of pocket even with coverage in place.
Fortunately, through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy brand-name Dexilant for reliably lower prices. Here, you can buy that same 90-capsule supply for around $225.00, or about $2.50 per dose (and savings of up to 82%).
Is There a Generic Drug for Dexilant?
Yes, there is a generic version of Dexilant. Generic dexlansoprazole became available in 2020.
Here are two things worth knowing about dexlansoprazole:
Brand-name Dexilant and generic dexlansoprazole leverage the exact same active ingredient—dexlansoprazole. The two medications should be bioequivalent. That means they provide the same safety and efficacy. The difference between brand and generic is in filler or inactive ingredients.
It’s possible to have an adverse reaction to these inactive ingredients, so that’s something to keep in mind; but, as far as active ingredients and safety go, the two versions are equivalent.
The generic version of the drug is usually cheaper. Through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy dexlansoprazole for about $1.00 per capsule.
This may not help you if you experience side effects with the generic that you’d like to avoid, unfortunately.
That’s why NorthWestPharmacy.com also offers reliably low prices on both brand-name and generic medications, so you have the freedom to select the version that works best for you.
Dexilant Alternatives: Affordable and Effective Options
Wondering if you have options beyond brand-name and generic Dexilant?
You do. There are many affordable alternatives to Dexilant that can provide comparable relief from GERD and its symptoms.
These other medications include the following options.
Omeprazole
Omeprazole is an active ingredient, much like dexlansoprazole.
(In pharmacology, similar ingredients get similar suffixes, so if you’re looking at active ingredients that end the same way, they very likely do the same thing.)
Omeprazole is another proton pump inhibitor. It’s widely used, effective, and usually lower-priced than many other GERD medications. Omeprazole, like dexlansoprazole, inhibits acid pumps in the stomach lining and reduces stomach acid production. It’s a good fit for patients who have GERD or acid reflux.
Omeprazole vs. Dexilant
Both Omeprazole and Dexilant are very effective at managing GERD and acid reflux symptoms. Dexilant’s dual delayed-release system does help offer longer-lasting relief, though, while omeprazole tends to be significantly more cost-effective.
How Much Does Omeprazole Cost?
Through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy omeprazole for about $0.30 per capsule.
Nexium (Esomeprazole)
Nexium, the brand name for the medication with the active ingredient esomeprazole, is another proton pump inhibitor widely prescribed for GERD and erosive esophagitis.
Like omeprazole and Dexilant, Nexium works by blocking the production of excess stomach acid. It’s also available in both branded and generic formulations.
Nexium vs. Dexilant
Both of these medications are very effective. They also have similar side effect profiles; each can cause nausea, headaches, and abdominal discomfort.
How Much Does Nexium Cost?
Through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy brand-name Nexium for about $1.25 per capsule.
Pantoprazole
Pantoprazole is another generic proton pump inhibitor that’s been on the market for a long time.
It’s effective and now, it’s certainly one of the cheaper options for GERD or acid reflux patients to consider.
Like other proton pump inhibitors, pantoprazole works by blocking acid production. The result? A protected esophagus, and reduced heartburn.
Pantoprazole vs. Dexilant
While pantoprazole is an effective treatment for the majority of GERD cases, there are some situations where a dual-release formula with extended protection against acid overproduction would be helpful.
That’s where Dexilant comes in, albeit at a higher cost.
How Much Does Pantoprazole Cost?
Here, through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy generic pantoprazole for around $0.30 per capsule.
Kapidex vs. Dexilant: Are They Different?
What about Kapidex? Is that a good alternative to Dexilant?
As it turns out—no, but that’s because they’re the same medication.
Before Dexilant got its current name, it was sold under the brand name Kapidex.
This changed in 2010. Dexilant and any remaining Kapidex you may come across both contain dexlansoprazole. Only the name has changed.
Pariet (Rabeprazole)
Pariet (rabeprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor. By reducing the amount of stomach acid produced, it can help treat GERD and similar acid reflux challenges very effectively.
Like many non-Dexilant proton pumps, Pariet’s main difference between it and the newer drug is the lack of a dual-release formula.
If you’re taking Pariet and find you need more acid protection, it may be worth looking into Dexilant.
How Much Does Pariet Cost?
Through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy a one-month supply of Pariet for about $40.00.
Prevacid (Lansoprazole)
Prevacid, or lansoprazole, is a proton pump inhibitor that’s been used for years to help GERD patients manage their symptoms. It inhibits acid production, but it does not feature Dexilant’s dual-release mechanism.
If you have a particularly severe case of GERD, you may need to take Prevacid twice per day to keep you as protected as possible.
How Much Does Prevacid Cost?
Through our international and online Canadian drugs website, you can buy a one-month supply of Prevacid for about $27.00.
Protonix (Pantoprazole Sodium)
Protonix, a medication leveraging the active ingredient pantoprazole sodium, is a commonly prescribed generic proton pump inhibitor. It’s effective, it’s widely available, and it’s one of the most affordable options.
While it doesn’t have Dexilant’s dual-release mechanism, since it’s so ubiquitous, Protonix remains a first-line treatment many doctors ask patients to try before resorting to more heavy-duty options.
How Much Does Protonix Cost?
Through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy brand-name Protonix for about $40.00 per month.
Lifestyle Tips for Managing GERD Without Breaking the Bank
While taking some form of medication is probably necessary to manage GERD as effectively as possible, medications like Dexilant will be even more helpful for you if you combine them with helpful lifestyle changes.
After all, Dr. Brynna Connor, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician who specializes in regenerative medicine, says, “If you have GERD or frequently experience heartburn, it may help to stop eating foods that are acidic, spicy, or high in fat. You can also try avoiding coffee, tea, chocolate, and mint. Additionally, try to finish up meals and snacks three hours before you go to bed. This can help you avoid nighttime heartburn.”
A few of these adjustments may include:
Avoiding typical acid-reflux-triggering foods, which can include acidic fruits, spicy foods, caffeine, fatty meals, and alcohol.
Eating smaller meals on a regular basis, instead of opting for larger meals (which can increase pressure on your stomach).
Staying upright after eating or avoiding lying down for a couple of hours after a meal. This can quite simply help with keeping acid down via the force of gravity.
Experiment to see what works and see whether this is an important consideration for you.
Stopping smoking, which is a good health-promoting choice anyway; but, for GERD, specifically, smoking can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter and make it easier for acid to flow up into the esophagus.
Exercise as regularly as possible, even easy-to-overlook forms of exercising like yoga or walking, which can help improve digestion and assist with the management of GERD symptoms.
Sleeping on your left-hand side, which is a position that can help prevent acid from flowing into your esophagus naturally.
(Elevating your head can help protect you in a similar way from nighttime reflux.)
Frequently Asked Questions About Dexilant
Have more questions about this effective GERD med?
Here are quick, practical answers to the top questions we see asked about Dexilant.
1. Is Dexilant Better Than Other PPIs?
Dexilant has a unique delayed-release formula, which can make it stand out from other proton pump inhibitors. Whether it’s better for you than other PPIs depends on your needs.
Other PPIs may be available at a lower cost, for example, but Dexilant’s extended acid control can also make a big difference in the quality of life for some patients.
2. Can I Take Dexilant Long-Term?
Yes, you can take Dexilant long-term. However, if you do so, your doctor will likely want to monitor your health as you do, just to help recognize and avoid any risks of long-term use.
3. Are There Cheaper Alternatives to Dexilant?
Yes, there are cheaper alternatives to dexilant.
Omeprazole, pantoprazole, and generic Dexilant (or dexlansoprazole) are all affordable options for treating GERD or acid reflux.
Take Control of Your GERD Treatment Today
If you’ve found that high medication costs are standing between you and the best way to manage your GERD or acid reflux, we’ve got good news to share.
Here, through our online, international, and CIPA-certified online pharmacy, you can explore affordable GERD treatment options and other drugs from Canada and internationally in order to make informed decisions about your health.
Looking for branded Dexilant? Generic dexlansoprazole? Alternatives like omeprazole? We’ve got you covered. Reach out if you have any questions.
Our team looks forward to supporting you and your healthcare journey.
