Randomised clinical trial: comparison of tegoprazan and placebo in non-erosive reflux disease

Treatment Response With Potassium-competitive Acid Blockers Based on Clinical Phenotypes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-analysis

Background/Aims

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is typically managed based on the clinical phenotype. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs) in patients with various clinical GERD phenotypes.

Methods

Core databases were searched for studies comparing PCABs and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in clinical GERD phenotypes of erosive reflux disease (ERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), PPI-resistant GERD and night-time heartburn. Additional analysis was performed based on disease severity and drug dosage, and pooled efficacy was calculated.

Results

In 9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the initial treatment of ERD, the risk ratio for healing with PCABs versus PPIs was 1.09 (95% CI, 1.04-1.13) at 2 weeks and 1.03 (95% CI, 1.00-1.07) at 8 weeks, respectively. PCABs exhibited a significant increase in both initial and sustained healing of ERD compared to PPIs in RCTs, driven particularly in severe ERD (Los Angeles grade C/D). In 3 NERD RCTs, PCAB was superior to placebo in proportion of days without heartburn. Observational studies on PPI-resistant symptomatic GERD reported symptom frequency improvement in 86.3% of patients, while 90.7% showed improvement in PPIresistant ERD across 5 observational studies. Two RCTs for night-time heartburn had different endpoints, limiting meta-analysis. Pronounced hypergastrinemia was observed in patients treated with PCABs.

Conclusions

Compared to PPIs, PCABs have superior efficacy and faster therapeutic effect in the initial and maintenance therapy of ERD, particularly severe ERD. While PCABs may be an alternative treatment option in NERD and PPI-resistant GERD, findings were inconclusive in patients with night-time heartburn.

Efficacy and safety of potassium-competitive acid inhibitors in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease caused by reflux of gastric contents to the esophagus. Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are recommended as a first-line therapy to treat GERD. Recently, the potassium-competitive acid inhibitors have been increasingly in use in clinical practice. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of P-CABs in GERD.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Web Of Science for publications regarding randomized controlled trials comparing potassium-competitive acid inhibitors to PPI monotherapy or Placebo with respect to efficacy and safety in GERD (until April 2023). The primary outcome was an absence or global symptom improvement and the incidence of adverse events in GERD. The quality of the included literature was assessed using the bias assessment tool recommended in the Cochrane Systematic Assessor's Handbook 5.1.0. We use RevMan 5.3 software for Meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis and publication bias analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 991 screened studies, 14 studies including 4868 participants were analyzed. The ORs for the healing rates of GERD with P-CABs versus PPI/Placebo were 2.10 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53-2.88), additionally, 1.09 (95% CI 1.05-1.14), 1.03 (95% CI 1.00-1.06) and 1.03 (95% CI 0.99-1.06) in Weeks 2, 4, and 8, respectively. The effectiveness rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (RR 1.73; 95% CI 1.27-2.36). The overall OR of Incidence of adverse events with P-CABs versus PPI/Placebo was 1.08 (95% CI 0.88-1.12). Overall, the risk of bias was low to some concerns. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the study's conclusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that potassium-competitive acid inhibitors is non-inferior to PPIs as therapy for patients with GERD. The safety outcomes for potassium-competitive acid inhibitors are similar to those for PPIs.

Evaluating vonoprazan and tegoprazan for gastroesophageal reflux disease treatment in Chinese Healthcare: an EVIDEM framework analysis

BACKGROUND

In Chinese healthcare settings, drug selection decisions are predominantly influenced by the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee (PTC). This study evaluates two recently introduced potassium-competitive acid blockers, vonoprazan (VPZ) and tegoprazan (TPZ), utilizing the Evidence and Value: Impact on DEcisionMaking (EVIDEM) framework.

METHODS

The study employed the 10th edition of EVIDEM, which includes a core model with five domains and 13 criteria. Two independent expert panels were involved: the PTC expert panel, tasked with assigning weights using a 5-point scale, defining scoring indicators, examining the evidence matrix, scoring, and decision-making; and the evidence matrix expert panel, responsible for conducting a systematic literature review, creating the evidence matrix, and evaluating the value contributions of VPZ and TPZ.

RESULTS

The analysis estimated the value contributions of VPZ and TPZ to be 0.59 and 0.54, respectively. The domain of 'economic consequences of intervention' showed the most significant variation in value contribution between the two drugs, followed by 'comparative outcomes of intervention' and 'type of benefit of intervention'.

CONCLUSION

Employing the EVIDEM framework, VPZ's value contribution was found to be marginally superior to that of TPZ. The EVIDEM framework demonstrates potential for broader application in Chinese medical institutions.

Potassium-competitive acid blockers and acid-related disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs) represent a new class of compounds for the treatment of acid-related disorders. Recent FDA approval of the PCAB vonoprazan for erosive esophagitis has started an important new approach to acid-related disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

Compared to conventional proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), PCABs provide more rapid, potent, and sustained suppression of gastric acid with faster and more durable symptom relief. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of PCABs for erosive esophagitis, nonerosive reflux disease, and peptic ulcer disease including H. pylori. However, the PCAB vonoprazan was only approved in the US as part of combination therapy for eradication of H. pylori. Clinical trials have now demonstrated noninferiority of vonoprazan to lansoprazole for treatment of erosive esophagitis, particularly noting superiority of vonoprazan in patients with severe esophagitis resulting in FDA approval of vonoprazan for treatment of erosive esophagitis. Emerging data suggests a possible utility of vonoprazan for PPI-resistant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and on-demand therapy for nonerosive reflux disease. Vonoprazan is generally well tolerated but long-term safety data is not well established.

SUMMARY

The PCAB vonoprazan is a newly FDA approved treatment option for erosive esophagitis. Its possible role in PPI-resistant GERD and nonerosive reflux disease warrants further investigation.

Efficacy and safety of tegoprazan in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: A protocol for meta-analysis and systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing year by year, the clinical manifestations are complex and diverse, and the adverse effects of long-term use of proton pump inhibitors and gastrointestinal motility drugs have been of great concern in recent years. The effectiveness of tegoprazan in the treatment of GERD is still controversial. This protocol describes a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science will be searched from the database inception to 1 March 2023. All randomized controlled trials related to tegoprazan for GERD will be included. Extracted data will include publication details, basic information, demographic data, intervention details and patient outcomes. The primary outcome will be complete resolution of major symptoms, complete resolution of heartburn, proportion of heartburn-free days, chronic cough, hoarseness, and adverse events. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. Article selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment will be performed in duplicate by two independent reviewers. If the meta-analysis is precluded, we will conduct a descriptive synthesis using a best-evidence synthesis approach.

DISCUSSION

The results of this study will provide reliable evidence to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tegoprazan in the treatment of GERD and help patients, physicians and clinical investigators choose the most appropriate treatment.

The Effect of Tegoprazan on the Treatment of Endoscopic Resection-Induced Artificial Ulcers: A Multicenter, Randomized, Active-Controlled Study

Background/Aims

: Tegoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker that has beneficial effects on acid-related disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux and peptic ulcer diseases. This study aimed to validate the effect of tegoprazan on endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)-induced artificial ulcers.

Methods

: Patients from 16 centers in Korea who underwent ESD for gastric neoplasia were enrolled. After ESD, pantoprazole was administered intravenously for 48 hours. The patients were randomly allocated to either the tegoprazan or esomeprazole group. Tegoprazan 50 mg or esomeprazole 40 mg were administered for 4 weeks, after which gastroscopic evaluation was performed. If the artificial ulcer had not healed, the same dose of tegoprazan or esomeprazole was administered for an additional 4 weeks, and a gastroscopic evaluation was performed.

Results

: One hundred sixty patients were enrolled in this study. The healing rates of artificial ulcers at 4 weeks were 30.3% (23/76) and 22.1% (15/68) in the tegoprazan and esomeprazole groups, respectively (p=0.006). At 8 weeks after ESD, the cumulative ulcer healing rates were 73.7% (56/76) and 77.9% (53/68) in the tegoprazan and esomeprazole groups, respectively (p=0.210). Delayed bleeding occurred in two patients in the tegoprazan group (2.6%) and in one patient in the esomeprazole group (1.5%). Other adverse events were negligible in both groups.

Conclusions

: Tegoprazan showed similar effects on post-ESD artificial ulcer healing in comparison with esomeprazole.

Good clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. An expert review from the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología

INTRODUCTION

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is very prevalent in the general population, with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, requiring accurate diagnosis and treatment.

AIM

The aim of this expert review is to establish good clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and personalized treatment of GERD.

METHODS

The good clinical practice recommendations were produced by a group of experts in GERD, members of the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología (AMG), after carrying out an extensive review of the published literature and discussing each recommendation at a face-to-face meeting. This document does not aim to be a clinical practice guideline with the methodology such a document requires.

RESULTS

Fifteen experts on GERD formulated 27 good clinical practice recommendations for recognizing the symptoms and complications of GERD, the rational use of diagnostic tests and medical treatment, the identification and management of refractory GERD, the overlap with functional disorders, endoscopic and surgical treatment, and GERD in the pregnant woman, older adult, and the obese patient.

CONCLUSIONS

An accurate diagnosis of GERD is currently possible, enabling the prescription of a personalized treatment in patients with this condition. The goal of the good clinical practice recommendations by the group of experts from the AMG presented in this document is to aid both the general practitioner and specialist in the process of accurate diagnosis and treatment, in the patient with GERD.

Efficacy of Tegoprazan in Patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease: A Preliminary Feasibility Study

Tegoprazan is a novel, potent, and highly selective potassium-competitive acid blocker that inhibits gastric acid secretion with rapid onset of action and prolonged control of gastric acidity. We performed a preliminary feasibility study to evaluate whether tegoprazan could control symptoms more effectively than a placebo in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 35 patients with LPRD were randomly assigned to two groups: tegoprazan 50 mg daily and placebo. The primary endpoint was the complete resolution rate of LPRD symptoms after 8 weeks of medication, and the secondary endpoints were the complete resolution rate of LPRD symptoms after 4 weeks of medication and changes in the reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) from baseline at 4 and 8 weeks of medication. There was no difference in the complete symptom resolution rates at 8 weeks between the tegoprazan and placebo groups (29.4% [5/17] vs. 27.8% [5/18], p = 1.000). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the complete symptom resolution rates at 4 weeks between the two groups. Compared with the baseline, both tegoprazan and placebo significantly reduced the total RSI and RFS scores after 4 and 8 weeks of medication; however, tegoprazan was not superior to the placebo. In conclusion, tegoprazan (50 mg daily) administration improved LPRD symptoms and signs. However, tegoprazan did not show superiority over placebo. Considering the potential effectiveness of tegoprazan as an acid-suppressing therapy and the possibility of type II error due to a low number of included patients herein, prospective, large-scale, multi-center studies with a higher dose of tegoprazan for a prolonged duration are required to elucidate the efficacy of tegoprazan in patients with LPRD. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05871398).

Efficacy and Tolerability of 14-Day Tegoprazan- versus Rabeprazole-Based Triple Therapy for Eradication of Helicobacter pylori: A Real-World Evidence Study

Background/Aims

Tegoprazan, a new, fast, and strong potassium-competitive acid blocker, has been approved for the treatment of gastric acid-related diseases in Korea. However, real-world clinical data regarding this drug are scarce. We aimed to compare the Helicobacter pylori eradication rates of tegoprazan- and rabeprazole-based triple therapy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data from patients who received first-line treatment for H. pylori infection using tegoprazan- or rabeprazole-based triple therapy for 2 weeks (50 mg tegoprazan or 20 mg rabeprazole+1,000 mg amoxicillin+500 mg clarithromycin twice daily). The primary endpoint was the eradication rate as determined by intention-to-treat analysis.

Results

Of the 677 patients included in our study, 344 and 333 received tegoprazan-based and rabeprazole-based triple therapy, respectively. The eradication rate from intention-to-treat analysis was 76.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72.1% to 81.0%) for tegoprazan-based triple therapy and 75.4% (95% CI, 70.5% to 79.8%) for rabeprazole-based triple therapy. There was no significant difference in the eradication rates between the two groups (p>0.999). Per-protocol analysis also revealed no significant difference between the eradication rates of the two groups (tegoprazan 83.4% [95% CI, 79.0% to 87.2%] vs rabeprazole 83.5% [79.0% to 87.4%], p>0.999). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in adverse event rates between the two groups (tegoprazan, 27.6%; rabeprazole, 25.8%; p=0.604).

Conclusions

The eradication rate of tegoprazan-based triple therapy was similar to that of rabeprazole-based triple therapy. Further studies on the dose-escalation effect of tegoprazan for H. pylori eradication and the efficacy of tegoprazan in regimens other than conventional triple therapy are needed.

Prediction of the Drug–Drug Interaction Potential between Tegoprazan and Amoxicillin/Clarithromycin Using the Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Model

Tegoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker. This study investigated the effect of drug–drug interaction on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tegoprazan co-administered with amoxicillin and clarithromycin, the first-line therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori, using physiologically based pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) modeling. The previously reported tegoprazan PBPK/PD model was modified and applied. The clarithromycin PBPK model was developed based on the model provided by the SimCYP® compound library. The amoxicillin model was constructed using the middle-out approach. All of the observed concentration–time profiles were covered well by the predicted profiles with the 5th and 95th percentiles. The mean ratios of predicted to observed PK parameters, including the area under the curve (AUC), maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax), and clearance, were within the 30% intervals for the developed models. Two-fold ratios of predicted fold-changes of Cmax and AUC from time 0 to 24 h to observed data were satisfied. The predicted PD endpoints, including median intragastric pH and percentage holding rate at pH above 4 or 6 on day 1 and day 7, were close to the corresponding observed data. This investigation allows evaluation of the effects of CYP3A4 perpetrators on tegoprazan PK and PD changes, thus providing clinicians with the rationale for co-administration dosing adjustment.

Comparison of acid-lowering drugs for endoscopy negative reflux disease: Systematic review and network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The comparative efficacy and safety of medical therapies for gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms in endoscopy-negative reflux disease is unclear. We conducted a network meta-analysis to evaluate efficacy and safety of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), histamine-2-receptor antagonists, potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs), and alginates in patients with endoscopy-negative reflux disease.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMBASE Classic, and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials from inception to February 1, 2022. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing efficacy of all drugs versus each other, or versus a placebo, in adults with endoscopy-negative reflux disease. Results were reported as pooled relative risks with 95% confidence intervals to summarize effect of each comparison tested, with treatments ranked according to P-score.

KEY RESULTS

We identified 23 RCTs containing 10,735 subjects with endoscopy-negative reflux disease. Based on failure to achieve complete relief of symptoms between ≥2 and <4 weeks, omeprazole 20 mg o.d. (P-score 0.94) ranked first, with esomeprazole 20 mg o.d. or 40 mg o.d. ranked second and third. In achieving adequate relief, only rabeprazole 10 mg o.d. was significantly more efficacious than placebo. For failure to achieve complete relief at ≥4 weeks, dexlansoprazole 30 mg o.d. (P-score 0.95) ranked first, with 30 ml alginate q.i.d. combined with omeprazole 20 mg o.d., and 30 ml alginate t.i.d. second and third. In terms of failure to achieve adequate relief at ≥4 weeks, dexlansoprazole 60 mg o.d. ranked first (P-score 0.90), with dexlansoprazole 30 mg o.d. and rabeprazole 20 mg o.d. second and third. All drugs were safe and well-tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Our results confirm superiority of PPIs compared with most other drugs in treating endoscopy-negative reflux disease. Future RCTs should aim to better classify patients with endoscopy-negative reflux disease, and to establish the role of alginates and PCABs in achieving symptom relief in both the short- and long-term.

Randomised clinical trial: comparison of tegoprazan and lansoprazole as maintenance therapy for healed mild erosive oesophagitis

BACKGROUND

Tegoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker used to treat acid-related disorders.

AIM

To compare tegoprazan 25 mg with lansoprazole 15 mg as maintenance therapy in healed erosive oesophagitis (EE) METHODS: In this phase 3, double-blind, multi-centre study, patients with endoscopically confirmed healed EE were randomised 1:1 to receive tegoprazan 25 mg or lansoprazole 15 mg once daily for up to 24 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the endoscopic remission rate after 24 weeks. The secondary efficacy endpoint was the endoscopic remission rate after 12 weeks. Safety endpoints included adverse events, clinical laboratory results and serum gastrin and pepsinogen I/II levels.

RESULTS

We randomised patients to tegoprazan 25 mg (n = 174) or lansoprazole 15 mg (n = 177). Most had mild EE (Los Angeles (LA) grade A: 57.3%, LA grade B: 37.3%). The endoscopic remission rate after 24 weeks was 90.6% with tegoprazan and 89.5% with lansoprazole. Tegoprazan was not inferior to lansoprazole for maintaining endoscopic remission at 24 weeks and 12 weeks. In subgroup analysis, tegoprazan 25 mg showed no significant difference in maintenance rate according to LA grade (p = 0.47). The maintenance effect of tegoprazan was consistent in CYP2C19 extensive metabolisers (p = 0.76). Increases in serum gastrin were not higher in tegoprazan-treated than lansoprazole-treated patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Tegoprazan 25 mg was non-inferior to lansoprazole 15 mg in maintenance of healing of mild EE. In this study, tegoprazan had a similar safety profile to lansoprazole.

[Treatment of Acid-related Diseases Using Potassium-competitive Acid Blockers]

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have several limitations to their efficacy including insufficient acid suppression, slow onset of action, and variable efficacy among patients due to CYP2C19 metabolism. Potassium-competitive acid blockers inhibit H⁺-K⁺-ATPase in a reversible and K⁺-competitive manner, are novel acid suppressive drugs with rapid onset of action, meal independence, and prolonged control of intragastric acidity compared to PPIs. Potassium-competitive acid blockers exhibited non-inferior therapeutic efficacies on reflux esophagitis, gastric ulcers, and Helicobacter pylori eradication. The review is focused on the unmet needs across the acid-related diseases and recent updates on clinical studies using vonoprazan and tegoprazan.

Potassium-Competitive Acid Blockers: Present and Potential Utility in the Armamentarium for Acid Peptic Disorders

Potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs) such as vonoprazan represent a novel class of acid suppressants that show tremendous promise to enhance care of acid peptic disorders. PCAB characteristics distinct from those of proton pump inhibitors-such as acid stability with dosing independent of food consumption, rapid onset of action, less variability with CYP2C19 polymorphisms, and extended half-lives-may add value in clinical practice. With recently reported data beyond Asian populations and expanding regulatory approval of PCABs, clinicians should be aware of these medications and their potential roles in the management of acid peptic disorders. This article provides an up-to-date summary of the evidence around PCABs for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (especially erosive esophagitis healing and maintenance), eosinophilic esophagitis, Helicobacter pylori infection, and peptic ulcer healing and secondary prophylaxis.

Trends in gastroesophageal reflux disease research: A bibliometric and visualized study

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a disorder resulting from the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the esophagus, affects an estimated 10-30% of the Western population, which is characterized by multifactorial pathogenesis. Over the past few decades, there have been many aspects of uncertainty regarding GERD leading to an ongoing interest in the field as reflected by a large number of publications, whose heterogeneity and variable quality may present a challenge for researchers to measure their scientific impact, identify scientific collaborations, and to grasp actively researched themes in the GERD field. Accordingly, we aim to evaluate the knowledge structure, evolution of research themes, and emerging topics of GERD research between 2012 and 2022 with the help of bibliometric approaches.

Methods

The literature focusing on GERD from 2012 to 2022 was retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded of the Web of Science Core Collection. The overall publication performance, the most prolific countries or regions, authors, journals and resources-, knowledge- and intellectual-networking, as well as the co-citation analysis of references and keywords, were analyzed through Microsoft Office Excel 2019, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer.

Results

A total of 8,964 publications were included in the study. The USA published the most articles (3,204, 35.74%). Mayo Clin ranked first in the number of articles published (201, 2.24%). EDOARDO SAVARINO was the most productive author (86, 0.96%). The most productive journal in this field was SURGICAL ENDOSCOPY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES (304, 3.39%). AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY had the most co-citations (4,953, 3.30%). Keywords with the ongoing strong citation bursts were transoral incision less fundoplication, eosinophilic esophagitis, baseline impedance, and functional heartburn.

Conclusion

For the first time, we obtained deep insights into GERD research through bibliometric analysis. Findings in this study will be helpful for scholars seeking to understand essential information in this field and identify research frontiers.

The role of vonoprazan in patients with erosive esophagitis

Acid suppression is the primary therapy for erosive esophagitis (EE). Although proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are considered as the first-line medication for EE, 10-20% of patients with Los Angeles C and D grade EE do not gain complete mucosal healing and symptom control despite 8-week double-dose PPI treatment. Vonoprazan is a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), which blocks the H⁺, K⁺-adenosine triphosphatase enzymes in a K⁺-competitive and reversible manner. Vonoprazan exhibits different pharmacological and pharmacokinetic profiles from conventional PPIs, and has a rapid, potent and sustained acid inhibitory effect. In this review, we summarized and discussed current evidence regarding the role of vonoprazan in terms of mucosal healing, maintaining remission and symptom relief for the management of EE, including the initial and maintenance treatment of EE, as well as for PPI-resistant EE patients. Safety concerns and cost-effectiveness analysis of vonoprazan were also mentioned in the article. As a potent and well-tolerated acid blocker, vonoprazan has the potential to become a novel option for the management of EE.

Potassium-competitive acid blockers and gastroesophageal reflux disease

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), the most commonly used antisecretory medi-cations in the management of reflux illness, virtually eliminate elective surgery for ulcer disease, and relegate anti-reflux surgery to patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who are inadequately managed by medical therapy. However, PPI medications still leave some therapeutic demands of GERD unmet. Furthermore, up to 40%-55% of daily PPI users have chronic symptoms, due to PPI refractoriness. Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) transcend many of the problems and limits of PPIs, delivering quick, powerful, and extended acid suppression and allowing for treatment of numerous unmet needs. Recently, it has become clear that compromised mucosal integrity plays a role in the etiology of GERD. As a result, esophageal mucosal protection has emerged as a novel and potential treatment approach. An increasing body of research demonstrates that when P-CABs are used as primary drugs or add-on drugs (to regular treatment), they provide a considerable extra benefit, particularly in alleviating symptoms that do not respond to PPI therapy.

Acid Suppressive Drugs

Histamine H₂ receptor antagonists (H₂RAs) suppress gastric acid production by blocking H₂ receptors in parietal cells. Studies have shown that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are superior to H₂RAs as a treatment for acid-related disorders, such as peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). PPIs reduce gastric acid production by irreversibly inhibiting the H⁺/K⁺ ATPase pump, and they also increase gastric emptying. Although PPIs have differing pharmacokinetic properties, each PPI is effective in managing GERD and PUDs. However, PPIs have some limitations, including short plasma half-lives, breakthrough symptoms (especially at night), meal-associated dosing, and concerns associated with long-term PPI use. Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) provide more rapid and profound suppression of intragastric acidity than PPIs. P-CABs are non-inferior to lansoprazole in healing erosive esophagitis and peptic ulcers, and may also be effective in improving symptoms in patients with non-erosive reflux disease. Acid suppressive drugs are the most commonly used drugs in clinical practice, and it is necessary to understand the pharmacological properties and adverse effects of each drug.