Fexuprazan (Fexuclue®): A Comprehensive Monograph on a Novel Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker

The Evolving Landscape of Acid Suppression and the Advent of Fexuprazan

The Global Burden of Acid-Related Disorders (ARDs)

Acid-related disorders (ARDs), a group of conditions primarily caused by the excessive or imbalanced production of gastric acid, represent a significant and growing global health burden.[1] Conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease, and gastritis are among the most common diagnoses made in clinical practice worldwide. The prevalence of GERD, in particular, has been steadily increasing in both Asian and Western nations, with a recent estimate placing its worldwide prevalence at 13.3%.[2] This high incidence underscores the vast and persistent clinical need for effective, reliable, and convenient acid-suppressive therapies.

The Era of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): The Gold Standard and Its Limitations

Since their introduction in the late 1980s, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been the cornerstone of ARD management, establishing themselves as the first-line therapeutic gold standard due to their potent acid-suppressing capabilities.[1] However, despite their widespread efficacy, the PPI class possesses several inherent pharmacological and clinical limitations that have created a distinct unmet clinical need.[5] These limitations include: