Anyone suffering from excess acid in the stomach is probably experiencing severe heartburn which can indeed be debilitating if left untreated. There are a number of short term and immediate medications on the market which seek only to counteract acidity before it refluxes, but those medications are not able to have any lasting effect. One of the newest classes of medications to treat acid reflux caused by diseases such as GERD is a proton pump inhibitor. If you are looking for one by the name of Kapidex, you can stop looking because you will not find it.
Dangerous Confusion of Medications
Although the actual medication is still available it is being marketed under another name. There was a certain amount of concern that Kapidex would be confused with two other pharmaceuticals called Kadian and Casodex. From January of 2009 when it was approved by the FDA until March of 2010, there were a number of reported dispensing errors when one medication had been filled instead of the other.
Casodex is actually used as a treatment for men with prostate cancer in advanced stages and Kadian is an analgesic in the opioid family used to treat pain. It is obvious how dangerous this situation can be if the wrong medication is dispensed. For this reason the FDA approved the name change of Kapidex to Dexilant and that is the only thing which was changed. The medication itself is actually the same pharmaceutical with the generic name of dexlansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor.
Dual Acting Kapidex/Dexilant
As mentioned, dexlansoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that works by inhibiting the production of acid in the stomach which manifests in severe heartburn more than twice weekly. This could be the result of diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and even hiatal hernias.
One of the benefits of dexlansoprazole is that, unlike other proton pump inhibitors, it does go to work immediately to reduce some amount of stomach acid as it is a dual acting capsule. For the fullest effects it will require taking the entire course. Kapidex can continue reducing acid in the stomach for up to 24 hours in duration.
The capsule is taken once daily either whole or it may be carefully opened and sprinkled into a tablespoon of applesauce. Caution should be used not to chew the granules when taking this dual acting medication in applesauce because some of the granules are release delayed.
Who Should Avoid Kapidex/Dexilant
Whenever taking any medication for the first time it is important to understand that there is always a potential for side effects or adverse reactions. Kapidex should not be taken when pregnant unless specifically prescribed by your obstetrician.
Also, anyone who has liver disease should tell their doctor before taking Kapidex and elderly patients should also only take this medication if specifically prescribed for them as it can lead to a condition in which bones fracture easily. In fact, anyone with a bone disorder should discuss this with their doctor prior to taking Kapidex.
Potential Side Effects or Adverse Reactions
While Kapidex (Dexilant) is known to have few side effects, the most common are nausea, diarrhea and skin rashes. However, rashes were only manifested in a few people who had an allergy to the mediation. Some people experience gas while others do report feeling some amount of stomach pain.
It is possible to develop an upper respiratory infection, but this is a rare side effect. If you become dizzy or short of breath, drowsy or abnormally weak, contact your doctor or pharmacist right away. These symptoms are usually the result of inadvertently overdosing, but they have presented in a few instances.
This article is intended to be informational and not a substitute for proper medical advice. Always discuss any illnesses or medications with your own doctor as it is imperative to get a proper diagnosis before beginning any treatments. Even so, if you have been prescribed dexlansoprazole and have any concerns whatsoever after reading this information, discuss your questions only with a medical professional or a pharmacist. Always know what you are taking before you take the first dose – this is for your own safety.