Potassium-competitive acid blockers - are they the next generation of proton pump inhibitors?

The modern lifestyle caters to an increase in the incidence of peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease and several other acid-related conditions of the gut.The drugs to prevent these conditions work either through H2 receptor blockade or inhibition of the H + , K + ATPase enzyme.Although proton pump inhibitors have been proven to be efficacious, they have a slow onset of action with limited resolution of symptoms in most patients.Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) are novel drugs that bind reversibly to K + ions and block the H + , K + ATPase enzyme, thus preventing acid production.P-CABs have a fast onset of action and have dose-dependent effects on acid production.Animal studies exist that differentiate the better results of P-CABs from proton pump inhibitors; further human trials will give a comprehensive picture of the results and will help to elucidate the therapeutic benefits of this new group of drugs.