Takeda renames heartburn drug to avoid errors

(AP) -- Federal regulators said Thursday that Takeda Pharmaceuticals will change the name of a heartburn drug that has repeatedly been confused by pharmacists with drugs meant to treat cancer and other ailments.

The Food and Drug Administration says the Japanese drugmaker will market its drug Kapidex under the name Dexilant, beginning next month.

Since its approval last January, the FDA says pharmacists have confused Kapidex with two other drugs: Casodex, a prostate cancer drug, and Kadian, a narcotic pain reliever.

Casodex is marketed by AstraZeneca. Kadian is marketed by Actavis Kadian LLC.

FDA says no other changes are planned for Kapidex beyond the name change.

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