Last year, the drug was approved to treat pain from erosions in the esophagus because of acid reflux.
For 30 years, patients have had the same treatments.
Voquezna is different because it works fast and lasts longer, providing all-day symptom relief with one pill.
Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health
What Happens If You Dont Treat GERD?
Your stomach constantly produces hydrochloric acid to help it digest food.
Over time, that acid backup isnt just painfulit can also do some serious damage.
What Its Like to Take Voquezna
Voquezna is a pill that reduces stomach acid production.
One dose provides 24-hour relief from heartburn.
These formulations combine vonoprazan and antibiotics that treatH.
However, some providers say the drug can be taken long-term if necessary.
Clark, who takes Voquezna to manage his symptoms, was also an investigator in the vonoprazan clinical trials.
Phathom Pharmaceuticals is doing more extensive research to test the safety and efficacy of long-term Voquezna use.
The FDA requested we do an extension to six months to look at long-term safety.
There were no signals of concern there, said Gilligan.
GERD is a chronic disease, and when you stop taking the medication, the symptoms return."
PPIs have been a mainstay of GERD treatment for 30 years, and theyre effective for many patients.
But to work well, PPIs have to be taken 30 minutes before eating or drinking.
It can also take several days to notice the full effect of these treatments.
Clark added that some patients experience a significant rebound effect when they stop taking a PPI.
Clinical trials showed that Voquezna relieved symptoms faster than PPIs and provided a full 24 hours of relief.
It can also be taken any time of day, regardless of meal timing or food intake.
How Much Does Voquezna Cost?
Voquezna is a new drug, so some health insurers may not cover it or may require prior authorization.
Is Voquezna Safe?
If youre taking rilpivirine, an antiviral drug for HIV, you wont be able to take Voquezna.
Researchers dont know if Voquezna is safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Making lifestyle changes in addition to medication may help you manage your symptoms better.
Penn Medicine.What happens if you left GERD untreated?.
National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Voqueznavonoprazan fumarate tablet[drug label].
