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Uses

What is Voquezna used for?

Voquezna (vonoprazan) is commonly used to treat erosive esophagitis. Erosive esophagitis happens when acid damages the lining of the esophagus (the tube that connects your throat and stomach). Voquezna also helps relieve heartburn caused by erosive esophagitis. Heartburn is an irritation of your esophagus that causes burning in your stomach or chest.

Voquezna is also used for heartburn due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that is not associated with erosive esophagitis.

Voquezna is also used with antibiotics to treat infections caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can lead to stomach inflammation and pain.

Learn more about Voquezna for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive esophagitis.

Voquezna may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Voquezna work (mechanism of action)?

Voquezna belongs to a class of medicines known as potassium-competitive acid blockers (PCABs). It blocks potassium from binding to proton pumps in the stomach. This stops the pumps from producing acid. 

How is Voquezna supplied (dosage forms)?

Voquezna is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

  • 10 mg oral tablets
  • 20 mg oral tablets

How should I store Voquezna?

Voquezna should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Voquezna?

The most common side effects of Voquezna are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Stomach inflammation
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach bloating
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea
  • Indigestion
  • Constipation
  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney or bladder infection

Other side effects that may occur when Voquezna is used with antibiotics for Heliobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment are listed below.

  • Temporary changes in sense of taste
  • Vaginal yeast infection
  • Headache
  • Cold-like symptoms

There may be other side effects of Voquezna that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Voquezna?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Voquezna are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Voquezna may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Voquezna and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Kidney Problems. Voquezna can cause swelling of a small part of your kidneys’ filters, called the tubules. This condition, known as acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), can cause your kidneys to not work as well as they should. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of TIN. 

  • Increased or decreased amount of urine (pee)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fever
  • Rash
  • High blood pressure
  • Irregular mood swings
  • Confusion or drowsiness
  • Swelling throughout your body or weight gain

Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with medicines that decrease stomach acid, including Voquezna. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that does not go away

Bone Fractures. Bone fractures in the hip, wrist, or spine can occur in people who take certain medicines that reduce stomach acid for a long period of time. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a bone fracture, especially in the hip, wrist, or spine.

Severe Skin Reactions. Voquezna can cause severe skin reactions called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop Voquezna and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Skin rash that has blistering, peeling or bleeding on any part of your skin (including lips, eyes, mouth, nose, genitals, hands, or feet)
  • Fever, chills, body aches, shortness of breath, or enlarged lymph nodes

Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Voquezna may cause you to have low levels of vitamin B12 in your blood (possibly by decreasing the amount of vitamin B12 your body absorbs from things you eat or drink). This may lead to anemia (low levels of red blood cells). Your healthcare provider may use lab tests to check your vitamin B12 levels and for anemia. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of anemia.

  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Pale or yellowish skin
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tingling or numbness in the arms and legs
  • Mood changes

Low Magnesium Level. Voquezna may cause you to have low levels of magnesium in your blood. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low magnesium levels.

  • Seizures
  • Dizziness
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Jitteriness
  • Muscle aches or weakness
  • Spasms in your hands, feet, or voice

Stomach Growths. A type of stomach growth called a fundic gland polyp may happen in people who take Voquezna for a long time. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk of fundic gland polyps If you have been on Voquezna for a long time (more than a year).

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Voquezna?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Voquezna.

  • Voquezna
  • Vonoprazan
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Voquezna.

Drug Interactions. Voquezna should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Voquezna, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Voquezna before using it?

Do not take Voquezna unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Voquezna with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Voquezna out of the reach of children.

Do not crush or chew Voquezna tablets.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Voquezna?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Voquezna is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Low blood levels of magnesium, calcium, or potassium
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Voquezna could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Voquezna while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Voquezna, call the Phathom Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Adverse Event reporting line at 888-775-7428.

Breastfeeding. Voquezna may pass into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Voquezna.

How can I get more information about Voquezna?

For more information about Voquezna, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.voquezna.com or call them at 877-742-8466.

Interactions

Does Voquezna interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Voquezna and food or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Voquezna.

Does Voquezna interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Voquezna interacts with many other medicines. Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Voquezna.

  • Certain antiretrovirals, including rilpivirine, atazanavir, or nelfinavir, which are used for HIV or AIDS
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix), an antiplatelet medicine which is used to prevent blood clots
  • Cilostazol, a medicine used to reduce intermittent claudication
  • Citalopram (Celexa), a medicine used to treat depression
  • Iron salts, a medicine used to improve the iron levels in your blood
  • Mycophenolate mofetil, a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • Antifungal agents, including ketoconazole and itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), which are medicines for fungal infections
  • Certain tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including dasatinib (Sprycel), erlotinib (Tarceva), or nilotinib (Tasigna), which are used to treat specific types of cancer

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Voquezna and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

Voquezna may affect the absorption of some other medicines. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Voquezna. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Voquezna?

If you or someone else has used too much Voquezna, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Voquezna?

If you are taking Voquezna for erosive esophagitis or the relief of heartburn related to gastroesophageal reflux disease and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is within 12 hours of your normal dose. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose, and take your next dose at your usual time.

If you are taking Voquezna for Heliobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment, take it as soon as you remember if it is within four hours of your normal dose. If more than four hours have passed, skip the missed dose, and take your next dose at your usual time.