Kapidex

Kapidex decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. The brand name Kapidex has been discontinued, but generic dexlansoprazole is available.

Kapidex is used to treat heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and to heal erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid).

Kapidex may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Take Kapidex exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Kapidex may be taken with or without food.

Do not crush, break, or open a delayed-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

If you are unable to swallow a delayed-release capsule whole: Open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

It is important to use Kapidex regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed.

When treating heartburn, Kapidex is usually given for 4 weeks. To best heal erosive esophagitis, you may need to take Kapidex for several months. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Before taking Kapidex, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Kapidex. Take this medicine for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed.

When treating heartburn, Kapidex is usually given for 4 weeks. To best heal erosive esophagitis, you may need to take this medicine for several months. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Heartburn can be confused with early symptoms of heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.

You should not use Kapidex if you are allergic to dexlansoprazole, or if you are taking a medicine that contains rilpivirine (Edurant, Complera, Juluca). Before taking Kapidex, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Kapidex.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Kapidex may harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks. It is not known whether dexlansoprazole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Kapidex: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats;
• severe stomach pain; or
• worsening heartburn;
• severe skin reactions (rash with blistering, peeling, or bleeding).
• seizures, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, jitteriness, muscle aches or weakness, and spasms of hands, feet or voice; or
• new or worsening joint pain, or a rash on your cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun;
• a decrease in urination or blood in your urine;
• severe diarrhea, watery stool, stomach pain, and fever that does not go away;

Less serious Kapidex side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas;
• diarrhea; or
• stuffy nose, sneezing, or other cold symptoms.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

An overdose of Kapidex is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Kapidex.

Before taking Kapidex, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);
• atazanavir (Reyataz);
• clopidogrel (Plavix);
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
• ketoconazole (Nizoral);
• methotrexate;
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
• iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Kapidex. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.