JW Pharmaceutical launches combination drug for GERD

JW Pharmaceutical said Monday that it has launched Rabekhan Duo Tablet, a combination drug for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Rabekhan Duo combines rabeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that inhibits gastric acid, and sodium bicarbonate, an antacid. Indications include:

ㆍGastric ulcer

ㆍDuodenal ulcer

ㆍErosive or ulcerative gastroesophageal reflux disease

ㆍSymptomatic relief of GERD

ㆍLong-term maintenance therapy for GERD

According to JW Pharmaceutical, Rabekhan Duo improves the slow onset of action of existing PPIs. It relieves symptoms in about 30 minutes after taking it. This is similar to potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), which are used in combination with PPIs to treat GERD. Traditional PPIs take two to four hours to be absorbed by the body.

Rabekhan Duo also combines sodium bicarbonate with co-antacids, calcium hydroxide, and magnesium oxide to prevent stomach acid from breaking down rabeprazole. According to JW Pharmaceutical, in a study comparing Rabekhan Duo and a combination of the same ingredients, Rabekhan Duo had the highest rabeprazole retention rate of 46.3 percent after 30 minutes. The residual levels in the control group were 29.8 percent and 15.3 percent.

The risk of drug interactions with CYP2C19 drugs, which are involved in the metabolism of various drugs, is also low, making combination therapy with clopidogrel-based therapies for patients with cardiovascular diseases possible.

“Rabekhan Duo will be an optimal choice for patients and healthcare providers who want fast and reliable treatment for GERD and gastroesophageal ulcers,” a company official said. “We will continue to lead the way in developing innovative medicines that improve patients’ quality of life.”