The Price of Relief: Understanding the High Cost of Dexilant

Author Scott

Posted on February 22, 2024

Scott is passionate about health and wellness, and enjoys writing on various topic surrounding these fields. Scott lives in Seattle and spends his free time restoring old furniture and playing pickleball with his friends.

Wondering, "Why is Dexilant so expensive?" The answer has a little to do with economics and a lot to do with the way pharmaceutical patents work.

You may also bear more of the cost burden if you don't have health insurance or if you do have a policy, but your provider won't cover Dexilant.

It can feel disheartening when you can't afford the medications you need. But that's why PricePro Pharmacy is here.

In this guide, we will explain why your doctor may have prescribed Dexilant for your symptoms and why this drug is so pricey.

We will also discuss the most affordable alternatives and how to save money on Dexilant when you buy your prescriptions from a Canadian online pharmacy.

Read on to learn more.

Who Needs Dexilant?

Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) is FDA-approved for people with erosive esophagitis and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). As a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), Dexilant works by blocking acid production in the stomach.

Doctors may also prescribe Dexilant for off-label use for people with gastritis and stomach ulcers. The FDA has not explicitly approved Dexilant for these conditions, but research shows it can be beneficial and safe to use.

Children can take Dexilant, too. The FDA has approved this PPI for the treatment of heartburn, erosive esophagitis, and non-erosive GERD for children over the age of 12.

Why Is Dexilant So Expensive?

Dexilant is so expensive because, until recently, its parent company had exclusivity to the ingredient. The drug is manufactured and distributed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

When a pharmaceutical company first invents an active ingredient, the company is granted an exclusive period during which only it can sell the drug containing that ingredient.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals released Dexilant in 2009. From 2009 to 2017, no other manufacturer was allowed to make PPIs containing dexlansoprazole. The exclusivity period ended in 2017 when the FDA approved a generic version.

Some companies have come up with generic dexlansoprazole (more on this later). However, these drugs have yet to hit the market, allowing Takeda Pharmaceutical to artificially inflate prices so it can make the most profits.

But this is not the only reason Dexilant is so expensive. Your price per pill could be through the roof if you do not have insurance or if your insurer does not cover Dexilant.

You Don't Have Insurance

If you do not have health insurance, you have to pay the full price of Dexilant out of pocket. A single month's prescription can cost hundreds of dollars, which comes out to around $12 per capsule.

Most doctors only recommend PPIs for up to a few weeks and no more than three months. Still, the high cost of Dexilant may make it challenging to afford your medication, even for this short amount of time.

Your Insurance Doesn't Cover Dexilant

Many insurance providers refuse to cover Dexilant. They often recommend trying a more affordable PPI first before agreeing to cover the cost of this expensive prescription medication.

However, Dexilant can be expensive, even with insurance. It all depends on how much your provider will chip in to cover the cost.

Cheaper Alternatives to Dexilant

The good news is that you do not have to break the bank to afford the medication you need. You may be able to access generic Dexilant when you buy Dexilant internationally.

Alternatively, you and your doctor can discuss a more affordable PPI that may work just as well for your symptoms.

Generic Dexlansoprazole

The FDA approved a generic form of Dexilant in 2017. However, it was not available in pharmacies until last year.

A company called Endo International now sells 30-milligram capsules of dexlansoprazole. Unfortunately, Endo International's more affordable generic is not widely available yet.

Generics are drugs that are chemically identical to their brand-name counterparts. The difference is that they are typically available at a much lower price.

Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole is the active ingredient in the brand name PPI, Nexium. Like Dexilant, doctors prescribe Nexium for GERD, erosive esophagitis, stomach ulcers, and heartburn.

Nexium is also available for a wider range of people. Children as young as one year old may use this PPI. Esomeprazole is available as a prescription or over the counter.

You can also access Nexium as a generic. Generic Nexium is highly affordable and can cost much less than a Dexilant prescription.

Omeprazole

Omeprazole is another PPI with similar uses to Dexilant. The brand name version of omeprazole is Prilosec. Like Nexium, Prilosec is available as a prescription or over the counter.

The FDA has approved Prilosec to treat erosive esophagitis and GERD, as well as stomach ulcers and hypersecretory conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Prilosec is far more affordable than Dexilant. It is available in generic form and, as mentioned, can be purchased without a prescription.

Other PPIs for Erosive Esophagitis

Prilosec and Nexium are not the only alternatives to consider if you have erosive esophagitis. Other potential alternatives to Dexilant include:

lansoprazole (brand name: Prevacid)
pantoprazole (brand name: Protonix)
famotidine (brand name: Pepcid)

Other drugs besides the ones listed may also have off-label uses for erosive esophagitis. Talk to your doctor to find the most affordable alternative for your symptoms.

Other PPIs for GERD

As with erosive esophagitis, GERD responds well to PPIs other than Prilosec and Nexium. Alternatives to Dexilant you can consider if you have GERD include:

lansoprazole (brand name: Prevacid)
rabeprazole (brand name: AcipHex)
famotidine (brand name: Pepcid)
nizatidine (brand name: Axid)

Protonix (pantoprazole) and Tagamet (cimetidine) are not FDA-approved to treat GERD, but some doctors prescribe them off-label for this condition.

Find Deals on Dexilant at PricePro Pharmacy

So why is Dexilant so expensive? The price of this proton pump inhibitor is high because there has not been a generic version until recently. Luckily, you can access the generic and other more affordable alternatives to Dexilant at PricePro.

Are you searching for the best place to find prescription medications that won't cost you an arm and a leg? You've come to the right place. PricePro Pharmacy connects you with the best deals on drugs.

Learn how to order your prescription medications and PricePro Pharmacy today, and see how much you can save!