Heartburn Drug Kapidex Renamed to Dexilant

FDA approves name change to avoid confusion with other drugs

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THURSDAY, March 4 (HealthDay News) -- Kapidex (dexlansoprazole) has been given the new name Dexilant -- so approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration -- to avoid confusion with other drugs that have similar names.

There is no problem with Kapidex itself and, other than the name switch, nothing else will be changed about the drug, the FDA said. It's a proton pump inhibitor, used to treat heartburn and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid.

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In a news release, the FDA cited pharmacy errors in dispensing Kapidex, approved in January 2009, citing confusion with the drugs Casodex and Kadian. All three drugs have widely different uses; Casodex is prescribed for prostate cancer and Kadian to treat pain.

The newly named heartburn drug will begin appearing on store shelves in late April, the FDA said. It's manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America.

More information

The FDA has more about this drug's approval history.

-- Scott Roberts