Vonoprazan: A New Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker.

Objective

To review the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of vonoprazan for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults. Data Sources: A literature search was performed through PubMed using the following key terms: vonoprazan, Voquezna, TAK-438, potassium-competitive acid blocker, H pylori, and gastrointestinal. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Selected articles included those which described clinical studies of the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, or tolerability of vonoprazan. Data Synthesis: Vonoprazan works by competing with potassium on the proton pump to inhibit gastric acid secretion. Phase 3 clinical trials have shown that vonoprazan is noninferior to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) as a component of H pylori eradication regimens. Vonoprazan has also shown promise in duodenal ulcer-healing rates and in reducing symptoms of heartburn. Common adverse effects associated with vonoprazan include nasopharyngitis, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, dyspepsia, headache, and abdominal pain.

Conclusion

Clinical practice guidelines recommend PPIs as the antisecretory agent of choice in H pylori eradication regimens with histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) as potential alternatives. However, the use of either class of medications may be limited by adverse effects, drug interactions, and tolerability. Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), like vonoprazan, may be safe and effective alternative antisecretory agents for H pylori eradication regimens, as well as other gastrointestinal disorders.