Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria: -
1. In the opinion of the investigator, the participant is capable of understanding and complying with protocol requirements
2. The participant or, when applicable, the participant's legally acceptable representative signs and dates a written, informed consent form and any required privacy authorization prior to the initiation of any procedures
3. Has persistent typical gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms (heartburn and/or acid regurgitation) for at least 6 months and a frequency of GERD symptoms is at least 4 days within the past 7 days prior to the screening visit
4. Meets one of the following diagnoses verified by the screening endoscopy
1. Has macroscopically normal esophageal mucosa on endoscopy and may thereby be eligible for assignment to the nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) study group
2. Has evidence of erosive esophageal reflux disease on endoscopy, Los Angeles (LA) classification grades B-D, and thereby may be eligible for assignment to the erosive esophagitis (EE) study group
5. Is able and willing to record GERD symptoms in a subject diary and has completed the diary at least for 7 consecutive days during the screening period
6. Male participant who is nonsterilized and sexually active with a female partner of childbearing potential agrees to use adequate contraception from signing of informed consent throughout the duration of the study and for 30 days after last dose
7. A female participant of childbearing potential who is sexually active with a nonsterilized male partner agrees to use routinely adequate contraception from signing of informed consent throughout the duration of the study
8. All female participants of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at Screening and a negative urine pregnancy test at Day -1. Participants who have had a bilateral tubal ligation, hysterectomy or are post-menopausal (the absence of menses for 1-2 years with a Follicle-Stimulating Hormone \[FSH\] level \>40 IU/L or absence of menses for \>2 years) are not required to use birth control
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Has received any investigational compound within 30 days prior to Screening
2. Known hypersensitivity to any proton pump inhibitor (including lansoprazole, omeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole or esomeprazole), any component of dexlansoprazole
3. Use of a H2 blocker or a PPI other than dexlansoprazole during screening and throughout the study. Previous use of Dexlansoprazole before screening
4. Endoscopic Barrett's esophagus and/or definite dysplastic changes in the esophagus
5. Active gastric or duodenal ulcers within 4 weeks of the first dose of study drug
6. History of dilatation of esophageal strictures, other than a Schatzki's ring (a ring of mucosal tissue near the lower esophageal sphincter)
7. Co-existing diseases affecting the esophagus, (eg, esophageal varices, scleroderma, viral, fungal infection or esophageal stricture), history of radiation therapy or cryotherapy to the esophagus, caustic or physiochemical trauma such as sclerotherapy to the esophagus
8. Chronic use (\>12 doses/month) of non-;steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including COX 2 NSAIDs within 30 days prior to screening period and throughout the study, however, low dose aspirin up to 325 mg per day is allowed
9. In the judgment of the investigator, participant has clinically significant abnormal hematological parameters of hemoglobin, hematocrit, or erythrocytes at Screening
10. Has a history or clinical manifestations of significant organ failure which would preclude their successful completion of the study
11. Participants using drugs with significant anticholinergic effects such as tricyclics who cannot stay on a stable dose for 4 weeks prior to dosing and throughout the study
12. Participants with known biliary disease
13. Participants with the need for continuous anticoagulant therapy
14. Participants with cancer (except basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin) within 3 years prior to Screening
15. Any condition that may require inpatient surgery during the course of the study
16. Has abnormal laboratory values that suggest a clinically significant underlying disease or condition that may prevent the subject from entering the study; or subject with the following lab abnormalities: Creatinine \>1.5 mg/dL, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and/or Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) \>2.0X the upper limits of normal, or Total Bilirubin \>2.0 mg/dL with AST/ALT elevated above normal values
17. Known to have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
18. Current or historical evidence of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or other hypersecretory condition
19. History of gastric, duodenal or esophageal surgery except simple oversew of an ulcer
20. Acute upper gastrointestinal (UGI) hemorrhage within 4 weeks of endoscopy
22\. Has received blood products within 3 months prior to the first dose of study drug 23. History of alcohol abuse \[\>21 units (1 unit = 12 oz beer, 1.5 oz hard liquor, or 5 oz wine) per week\] or illegal drug use or drug addiction in the 12 months prior to Screening 24. Participants who, in the opinion of the investigator, are unable to comply with the requirements of the study or are unsuitable for any reason 25. is required to take excluded medications 26. If female, the participant is pregnant or lactating or intending to become pregnant before, during, or within 1 month after participating in this study; or intending to donate ova during such time period 27. If male, the participant intends to donate sperm during the course of this study or for 30 days thereafter