It is a drug used to cure Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, also known as GERD. It belongs to a class of medicines known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

It was previously known as Kapidex. The FDA has altered its name to Dexilant. The change of name has been done to avoid confusion with other medicines with similar names.

Dexilant Uses

The medicine is used for a number of purposes:

• It reduces the amount of acid manufactured in the stomach.
• It heals erosive esophagitis (a condition involving damage to the esophagus caused by stomach acids) and prevents the condition from coming back.
• It cures heartburn associated with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

The medication is also used off-label for reasons like:

• Treatment of ulcers
• Avoiding development of ulcers due to the use of NSAID medicines
• Treatment of different pathological hypersecretory disorders

Dexilant Usage Information

Check out these instructions to know how you should use this medication.

• The drug should be swallowed whole. Do not open, break or crush it. This is a delayed-release capsule that is meant to be released slowly into the body and function gradually. Opening or breaking the pill would result in the release of too much of it at a time.
• If you are unable to swallow the capsule, you may open it and sprinkle the granules contained within onto one tablespoon full of applesauce. Swallow the mixture immediately without chewing. Do not store the mixture for later consumption. You should also throw away the empty capsule.
• The capsule can be taken with food or even on an empty stomach.
• Take each dose along with a glass filled with about 8 ounces of water.
• The medication should be taken exactly as prescribed and for the entire length of time as advised by doctors.
• The drug should best be taken at the same time every day. This will help maintain a uniformity of the level of the medicine in the bloodstream.
• Ask your doctor whether there are any restrictions on beverages, foods or activities while you are taking the drug. Follow his or her instructions to the word.
• Tell your physician about all the over-the-counter and prescription medicines that you use. This includes medications prescribed by other doctors as well as minerals, vitamins and herbal products. Do not start taking a new drug without consulting your healthcare provider.
• Take the medicine every day and remember to consume it every day. You may have to use it for 4 weeks if you are suffering from heartburn. If you are suffering from Erosive Esophagitis, you may need taking the drug for a few months. Follow the instructions of your doctor accurately.
• Store the drug at room temperature, in a place away from heat and moisture.

Dexilant Availability

The drug is available in doses of two strengths:

• 30 mg per capsule – These are blue and gray, opaque capsules with “30” printed on them.
• 60 mg per capsule – These are blue and gray, opaque capsules with “60” printed over them.

Each capsule consists of enteric-coated granules that contain the active ingredient Dexlansoprazole and inactive ingredients like:

• Colloidal silicon dioxide
• Hydroxypropyl cellulose
• Hypromellose 2910
• Low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose
• Polyethylene glycol 8000
• Polysorbate 80
• Magnesium carbonate
• Methacrylic acid copolymers
• Sucrose
• Sugar spheres
• Talc
• Titanium dioxide
• Triethyl citrate

The medicine is supplied as dual delayed-release formulation capsules to be consumed orally. The capsules have Dexlansoprazole in a concoction of two kinds of enteric-coated granules having varying pH-dependent dissolution profiles. The shell of the capsules is composed of Carrageenan, Potassium chloride and Hypromellose. The blue of the capsule shell comprises of substances like Aluminum Lake and Titanium dioxide while the gray color also contains Ferric oxide.

Dexilant Dosage

The dosage of this medicine, recommended for curing heartburn due to GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) without esophageal erosions, is 30 mg once every day for four weeks. The dosage advocated for healing erosive esophagitis (an acute type of GERD) is 60 mg once every day for up to eight weeks. Following the healing process, the medicine may be continued at a reduced dose of 30 mg once every day. This can help avoid a recurrence of the condition.

Physician may recommend a lower dosage for patients of conditions like liver ailments, liver failure, cirrhosis or hepatitis.

Dexilant Storage

The capsules of this medicine should ideally be stored at 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). It is permissible to store it briefly at temperatures varying between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). The capsules should be stored away from light, heat and moisture. Do not store these in the bathroom. It is best to keep the pills in a place out of the reach of pets and away from children. The medicine has not been approved for children as its effects have not been properly observed in individuals less than 18 years of age.

Who Should Not Use Dexilant?

The medication should not be used by individuals who are allergic to any of its ingredients or using any other medicine that may interfere with its function. These involve drugs like:

• Ampicillin
• Atazanavir
• Digoxin
• Iron
• Ketoconazole
• Warfarin
• Tacrolimus

People having liver problems and women who are pregnant, expecting pregnancy or breastfeeding infants should also consult their doctors before using the medication.

Dexilant Side Effects

Some of the most common possible side effects of this medication include:

• Common cold
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

Only some of the side-effects produced by the drug have been included here. The list is by no means comprehensive and actually includes many more problems. Although the medication may stop pain and other acid-related problems, its users may suffer from severe stomach problems. People who are allergic to certain components of this drug may suffer from hives, respiratory difficulties and inflammation of the lips, tongue, face or throat. Serious side effects may include:

• Chest pain
• Faster heartbeats
• Worsening heartburn
• Severe abdominal pain

Patients may also experience side effects that are less acute in nature. These include problems like:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Gas
• Diarrhea
• Stuffy nose
• Sneezing

If you are using this medicine and experiencing any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. You may also report about the symptoms to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dexilant Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medication, take it as soon as you remember. If you find it is almost time to take your next dosage, skip the missed dose and take it regularly from the next time. Never take more of the medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

Dexilant and other medicines

As aforesaid, certain drugs may interfere with the actions of Dexilant and cause complications. Consult your healthcare provider if you are using any of these medicines:

• Diuretics, like Hydrochlorothiazide and Furosemide, can increase the risk of complications due to low level of blood magnesium.
• Voriconazole, which may raise the risk of aggravating side effects caused by the use of Dexilant.
• Anticoagulants, such as Warfarin, may increase the risk of side effects occurring due to Dexilant usage. The same problem may be caused due to the use of Digoxin, Tacrolimus or Saquinavir.

Using Dexilant may also reduce the effectiveness of medications like:

• Ampicillin
• Azole antifungals, such as Ketoconazole
• Clopidogrel
• Dasatinib
• Erlotinib
• HIV protease inhibitors, like Atazanavir
• Iron
• Theophylline

How to Buy Dexilant?

You can easily purchase the medication from any of the online drug stores. Many such stores offer the drug at a low price and even extend discounts to potential buyers in the form of coupons. These discount coupons can help buyers save anywhere from $1-55 on the purchase of their medicines. Buyers can save up to 80% or more on their purchase. The rebates are available on both 30 mg and 60 mg capsules of Dexilant.

Dexilant Price

In the United States, every pill of this drug costs around 5 dollars.

Dexilant Overdose

As of now, there are no reports about the consequences of a significant overdose of this medicine. A single 300 mg dose or multiple 120 mg doses of this drug have not been known to cause death or any other serious conditions. In case any complication arises from overdose, treatment should be supportive and symptomatic. Although an overdose of Dexilant does not result in life-threatening complications, it is best for you to seek medical attention on an emergency basis if you think you have used high doses of this drug.

If you suspect symptoms of an overdose in any of your family members or friends who has used the drug, contact the American Association of Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or call up your local poison control center.

References:

http://gerd.emedtv.com/kapidex/kapidex-dosage-p2.html

http://www.drugs.com/pro/kapidex.html

http://www.rxlist.com/dexilant-drug.htm

http://news.health.com/2010/03/04/heartburn-drug-kapidex-renamed-dexilant/

It is a semisynthetic cephalosporin or broad spectrum antibiotic that works by combating bacteria in the human body. It is known by the generic name Cefazolin.Why Is Ancef Used?

The medication is effective in fighting off bacteria. Hence, it is used to cure many forms of bacterial infections, including those that are acute or life-threatening.

The usage of this medicine is recommended for treatment of conditions like:

• Respiratory Tract Infections, caused by S aureus, S. pyogenes and S. pneumoniae
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), due to P mirabilis and E. coli
• Skin Infections, caused by S. pyogenes, S. aureus and other forms of streptococci
• Biliary Tract Infections, induced by P. mirabilis, E. coli, S. aureus and different strains of Streptococci
• Bone and Joint Infections, occuring due to S. aureus
• Genital Infections such as Epididymitis and Prostatitis, caused by P. mirabilis or E. coli
• Septicemia, resulting from S. aureus, E. coli, P. mirabilis and S. pneumoniae
• Endocarditis, caused due to S. pyogenes and S. aureus

Picture 1 - Ancef

Ancef Dosage

As aforesaid, Ancef is mainly used to treat bacterial infections. Naturally, the dosing of the medication must vary according to the type of infection that a person is suffering from.

• For moderate to severe infections, 500 mg-1 gm of the drug should be administered after every 6 to 8 hours.
• In case of mild infections resulting from susceptible gram-positive cocci, dosage should vary between 250 mg and 500 mg and should be given after every 8 hours.
• For people suffering from severe, uncomplicated infections of the urinary tract, 1 gram of the drug should be given after every 12 hours.
• Patients affected by Pneumococcal pneumonia require Ancef of 500 mg strength after every 12 hours.
• In case of acute, life-threatening infections such as Septicemia and Endocarditis, dosage may vary from 1-1.5 gms and needs to be provided after every 6 hours.

How to Administer Ancef?

It is administered as an injection by pushing a needle through a muscle or a vein. The injection can be given to you in an intravenous (IV) manner by a doctor, nurse or any other qualified healthcare provider. Some patients require using the medication for a long time. Such individuals are shown how to self-inject Ancef at home and properly dispose of the needles, IV tubing and other substances required for administering the medicine. If you have not been fully instructed about self-injecting and disposal measures, it is not proper for you to perform the process at home. The consequences can be dangerous for your health.

If you are injecting the medication at home, make sure that you know how to mix and store the drug properly. Here are some useful instructions on this regard:

• Before using Ancef, you may need to mix it with a diluting agent (liquid). You may stack the mixture away in the refrigerator. Ideally you should use it within 10 days.
• Do not freeze Ancef after mixing it with a diluent (diluting agent). Extremely cold temperatures can destroy its properties.
• Do not use the drug mixture if you find any particles in it.
• Never dilute this medication or draw your cefazolin dose into an injection syringe until you are prepared to administer yourself with an injection.
• Each disposable needle should be only used once. Once each needle has been used, throw it away in a puncture-proof container. Keep the container somewhere out of the reach of pets and children. If you do not have such a container, ask your pharmacist to procure one for you.

Ancef Storage

Sealed Ancef vials should be stored at room temperature. They should preferable be kept at a place away from heat, light and moisture.

Should Ancef Be Discontinued?

You should use the medication for as long as recommended by your doctor. Even though your symptoms may improve before complete treatment of your infection, it is essential to use the medicine for the entire duration.

Ancef Side Effects

The medicine can cause abnormalities lab results for glucose (sugar) tests in the urine. Before you use Ancef, it is recommended that you tell any physician who usually treats you. This is important if you are allergic to any drugs or if you suffer from liver disease, kidney disorder or any disease of the stomach or intestine such as Colitis. If you have such problems, your doctor may adjust the dosage or carry out some tests so that you may safely use the drug.

Side-reactions of this medication can range from mild to severe. Some less serious side-effects of Ancef usage include:

• Pain, rashes, inflammation or a firm nodule development at the injected spot
• Itchiness of skin
• Formation of skin rashes
• Development of hives (itchy skin eruptions)
• Respiratory difficulties
• Vaginal itching
• Vaginal discharge
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Inflammation of the lips, tongue, face or throat
• Development of sores or white patches on the lips or inside mouth

Some acute side effects of using the medicine involve:

• Diarrhea, with bloody or watery excreta
• Severe tingling sensations
• Pain
• Numbness
• Weakness in muscles
• Bruising
• Chills
• Fever
• Body aches
• Abnormal fatigue
• Seizures
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Severe blisters
• Peeling
• Red skin rashes

Side-effects may also be produced due to the use of other over-the-counter or prescription medicines. These include herbal products, minerals and vitamins.

Ancef and Pregnancy

This medication has not been found to produce negative effects on pregnant women or an unborn infant. However, the drug may pass into the mother’s milk and harm a nursing baby. If you are expecting a baby, consult your doctor before using Ancef.

Ancef Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this drug, call up your doctor for instructions. In case of an overdose, you should immediately seek emergency medical assistance. However, the effects of an Ancef overdose are not clearly known.

If you have a history of side-effects with any medicine, try to find out from your doctor whether it belongs to the Cephalosporin group of antibiotics. If it does, you are likely to have a problem with Ancef. If such is the case, you may request your doctor to provide you with an Ancef substitute.

References:

http://www.drugs.com/pro/ancef.html

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-3496-Ancef+Inj.aspx?drugid=3496&drugname=Ancef+Inj

http://www.globalrph.com/cefazolin_dilution.htm