Clinical Medicine Insights: Therapeutics

Dexlansoprazole MR, an enantiomer of lansoprazole, is a unique proton pump inhibitor with a duel release mechanism. This release mechanism produces two distinct peak concentrations that result in a prolonged mean residence time with increased duration of plasma concentrations and a greater percent time the pH is maintained above 4. The prolonged residence time allows dexlansoprazole MR to be administered throughout the day without regards to meals or the timing before a meal. In two trials of patients with erosive esophagitis, dexlansoprazole MR 60 mg and 90 mg demonstrated comparable healing rates to lansoprazole 30 mg. In patients with healed EE, dexlansoprazole MR 30 mg (75%) and 60 mg (83%) were superior to placebo (27%; p < 0.0025) in maintenance of healing. Dexlansoprazole MR 30 mg and 60 mg had a greater percentage of heartburn-free days (91%–96%) and heartburn-free nights (96%–99%) than placebo (29%–72%) over the 6-month maintenance trial. Dexlansorpazole MR appears to be well tolerated with the safety profile being similar to lansoprazole with gastrointestinal adverse events being the most common. Dexlansoprazole MR provides a new treatment option for gastroesophageal reflux disease due to the flexible dosing, the unique release mechanisms and prologned pharmacodynamic effect.