Vonoprazan: A Review in Erosive Esophagitis and Non-Erosive Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease

Vonoprazan (Voquezna^®) is a potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) with improved pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties compared with proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) that allow for stronger control of gastric acid with once-daily oral administration and no requirement to be taken in relation to timing of meals for optimal efficacy. In the USA, vonoprazan has been approved as a first-in-class treatment for healing and maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis, and for relief of heartburn in adult patients with erosive esophagitis and non-erosive gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). In pivotal phase III trials, vonoprazan was non-inferior to the PPI lansoprazole in healing and superior to lansoprazole in maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis, and was superior to placebo for treating heartburn in US patients with non-erosive GERD. Vonoprazan was generally well tolerated; the most common adverse events included abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and dyspepsia. Vonoprazan is, therefore, a valuable addition to the therapies available for adults with erosive esophagitis and non-erosive GERD.