P-CAB
Medical abbreviation · Drug Class
| Stands for | Potassium-competitive acid blocker |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
P-CAB stands for Potassium-competitive acid blocker, a drug class abbreviation.
Newer class of acid suppressants that reversibly block the stomach's proton pump by competing with potassium. Vonoprazan (Voquezna) is the first approved in the US, for erosive esophagitis, heartburn and H. pylori treatment.
Example: Erosive esophagitis LA grade C: P-CAB vonoprazan 20 mg daily x 8 weeks.
Usage notes
Vonoprazan has been used in Japan since 2015. Unlike PPIs, P-CABs act within hours, do not need activation by acid and can be taken without regard to meals. US approval was delayed by nitrosamine impurity testing before launch in 2023. Long-term safety data are still more limited than for PPIs.
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.