Randomised clinical trial: vonoprazan versus lansoprazole for the initial relief of heartburn in patients with erosive oesophagitis.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). However, the onset of action is considered slow and PPIs cannot completely block acid secretion at night. A new potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB) can rapidly block acid secretion. However, whether this P-CAB can relieve GORD symptoms quickly and adequately soon after starting treatment is unknown.

Aim: To determine how rapidly vonoprazan and lansoprazole provide heartburn relief.

Methods: Patients (n = 32) with endoscopically confirmed erosive oesophagitis who experienced heartburn at least once a week were randomised in a double-blind manner to receive either daily vonoprazan (20 mg) or lansoprazole (30 mg) before breakfast for 14 days. Day time and night time heartburn were assessed daily throughout the study using a five-point Likert scale. The primary endpoint was the first day of complete day and night heartburn relief for at least seven consecutive days. The ethics committees of the participating institutions approved the study protocol.

Results: Heartburn was relieved sooner with vonoprazan than with lansoprazole (P < 0.05, log-rank test). Heartburn was completely relieved in 31.3% and 12.5% of patients on day 1 with vonoprazan and lansoprazole, respectively. Significantly more patients achieved complete nocturnal heartburn relief with vonoprazan than lansoprazole (P < 0.01). Both regimens were well tolerated.

Conclusions: Complete sustained heartburn relief was achieved sooner with vonoprazan than with lansoprazole during the first week of therapy. (UMIN000018776).