Vonoprazan
About Vonoprazan
Vonoprazan belongs to the group of medications known as potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCAB), primarily used to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as reflux esophagitis, gastric ulcers, and duodenal ulcers. It is also used to treat Helicobacter pylori infection in combination with clarithromycin and/or amoxicillin. Reflux esophagitis occurs when stomach acid irritates the esophagus, often due to GERD. Gastric ulcers are sores on the stomach lining, commonly caused by H. pylori or NSAIDs. Duodenal ulcers form in the small intestine, typically caused by H. pylori or excess stomach acid.
Vonoprazan contains Vonoprazan. It works by inhibiting the H+, K+-ATPase enzyme in the stomach's parietal cells, which reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach. This enzyme is responsible for pumping acid into the stomach. Unlike other inhibitors, it doesn't require acid activation and can selectively target parietal cells, binding to the active pumps reversibly.
Take Vonoprazan for the duration prescribed by your doctor based on your medical condition. Some common side effects may include diarrhoea, bloating, stomach pain, nausea, and indigestion. These effects are usually temporary and do not require medical attention. However, if they continue or worsen, see your doctor for advice.
It is advisable not to take Vonoprazan if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, make sure to consult your doctor before using Vonoprazan. Inform your doctor if you have or have had kidney or liver disorders, osteopenia (a condition causing bone mass loss), osteoporosis (a condition that weakens bones, making them brittle and prone to fractures), or low levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium in your blood. The safety and effectiveness of Vonoprazan have not been established in children.
Uses of Vonoprazan
• Treatment of Esophagitis: Vonoprazan helps heal damage to the oesophagus caused by stomach acid and reduces symptoms like heartburn and acid reflux.
• Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) Infection: Vonoprazan is used in combination with antibiotics to eliminate H. pylori bacteria, which can cause stomach ulcers and helps prevent recurrence of ulcers and gastritis.
• Healing Stomach Ulcers: Vonoprazan Reduces excess stomach acid, allowing ulcers to heal faster. Protects the stomach lining from further damage.
• Prevention of Ulcer Recurrence: Vonoprazan helps prevent ulcers from coming back, especially in individuals prone to acid-related issues, and is often prescribed for long-term acid suppression therapy.
Medicinal Benefits
Vonoprazan offers several advantages over traditional proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It has a faster onset of action, providing quicker relief for acid-related discomfort. Compared to traditional PPIs, it doesn't require stomach acid for activation, making it effective in all gastric conditions. Its effects are not influenced by meals, allowing flexible timing. Vonoprazan provides stronger and more sustained suppression of gastric acid secretion, ensuring potent inhibition. Additionally, it remains stable in the stomach, delivering long-lasting effects.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Vonoprazan
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Indigestion
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Vonoprazan or any other medications. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor for advice. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Vonoprazan. Inform your doctor about any other medications or herbal supplements you are using before starting Vonoprazan. Let your doctor know if you have a history of gastric malignancy, acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, or Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea, osteopenia, severe skin reactions, vitamin B12 deficiency, or hypomagnesemia.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Vonoprazan may interact with antiretroviral (Atazanavir, Nelfinavir), antiplatelet (Cilostazol, Clopidogrel), antifungals (Ketoconazole), or anticancer (Dasatinib, Nilotinib).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have a history of gastric malignancy, acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, or Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea, osteopenia, severe skin reactions, vitamin B12 deficiency, or hypomagnesemia.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid alcohol while taking Vonoprazan because alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, increase acid production, and worsen symptoms like heartburn or indigestion.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, inform the doctor before receiving Vonoprazan. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if vonoprazan passes into breast milk. Consult your healthcare provider to assess risks and benefits.
Driving
cautionIt is unknown if Vonoprazan affects your ability to drive. Consult your healthcare provider to assess risks and benefits.
Liver
cautionInform your doctor if you have liver impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor if you have kidney impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing.
Children
cautionThe safety and effectiveness of Vonoprazan have not been established in children. If you have any concerns regarding the use of Vonoprazan for children, please consult a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat foods that are rich in probiotics, such as yoghurt/curd, natto, and cheese.
- Try to add fibre-rich food like whole grains, beans, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas, and bananas to your daily diet, which helps aid digestion.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than larger ones.
- Avoid processed, deep-fried foods as they are hard to digest.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking as they increase acid production.
- Engage in light physical activity to aid digestion.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Reflux Esophagitis (RE): Reflux esophagitis is the inflammation of the esophagus caused by stomach acid flowing backward into the esophagus, often due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition can lead to symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, and difficulty swallowing.
Gastric Ulcer (GU): A Gastric ulcer is an open sore that forms on the lining of the stomach, typically caused by an infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria or the prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It can lead to stomach pain, nausea, and indigestion.
Duodenal Ulcer (DU): Duodenal ulcer is an ulcer that occurs in the first part of the small intestine, known as the duodenum. Similar to gastric ulcers, they are commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori infection or excessive stomach acid production, leading to symptoms like burning stomach pain.
Helicobacter Pylori: Helicobacter pylori is a type of bacteria that infects the lining of the stomach. It is a common cause of gastric and duodenal ulcers and can lead to chronic inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis). The infection may also increase the risk of stomach cancer if left untreated. Symptoms include stomach pain, decreased appetite, belching, nausea, bad taste in the mouth, and heartburn.
FAQs
Vonoprazan is used for the treatment of reflux esophagitis, gastric ulcer, and duodenal ulcer. It also helps prevent the recurrence of gastric or duodenal ulcers during the use of low-dose aspirin or NSAIDs. Besides this, Vonoprazan is used in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, usually in combination with both amoxicillin and clarithromycin or with amoxicillin alone.
Vonoprazan contains Vonoprazan. It works by inhibiting the H+, K+-ATPase enzyme in the stomach's parietal cells, which reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Thereby, Vonoprazan helps treat reflux esophagitis, gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and Helicobacter pylori infection.
Yes, Vonoprazan can be taken with antibiotics such as amoxicillin and clarithromycin, especially for Helicobacter pylori treatment if prescribed by the doctor. Follow your doctor’s advice for proper usage and dosage.
Do not stop taking Vonoprazan without consulting your doctor, as it may reduce the medication’s effectiveness. To treat your condition effectively, continue taking Vonoprazan for as long as prescribed by your doctor. If you experience any difficulty taking Vonoprazan, do not hesitate to speak with your doctor.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking this medicine to ensure it is safe for both the mother and the baby. Talk to the doctor if you have any concerns.
Taking higher doses than prescribed is ineffective and may cause side effects. Therefore, it's essential to follow the dosage instructions provided by your doctor to ensure safe and effective use.
Avoid alcohol while taking Vonoprazan, as it can increase stomach acid and worsen symptoms like heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion; it also may interfere with the medication’s effectiveness.
Avoid spicy, fatty, and acidic foods while taking Vonoprazan, as they can irritate the stomach, increase acid production, and make symptoms like heartburn and indigestion worse.
Common side effects include diarrhoea, bloating, stomach pain, nausea, and indigestion. Seek medical care if the symptoms persist or worsen.
Vonoprazan may cause serious side effects like kidney problems, C. difficile-associated diarrhoea, bone fractures, severe skin reactions, low vitamin B12 levels, low magnesium levels or fundic gland polyps (stomach growths). Consult the doctor if you experience symptoms of kidney problems (decreased urine or blood in urine), C. difficile-associated diarrhoea (watery stools, stomach pain, fever), bone fractures, severe skin reactions (skin rash, fever, chills, body aches, shortness of breath), low vitamin B12 (lightheadedness, tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, irregular heart beat, shortness of breath, tiredness, mood changes), or low magnesium (dizziness, irregular heartbeat, spasms of hands/feet, muscle weakness, seizures).
