| [ Summary ] |
In the history of the study of gastric acid secretion, three major intrinsic acid secretagogues -- acetylcholine, gastrin, and histamine -- have been identified. Subsequently, receptor antagonists for the three acid secretagogues were developed, of which anticholinergic agents and H2‒blockers were used for patients. Eventually, the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) was developed as the most potent acid inhibitor, and it has been widely used to date. In Japan, however, a more potent acid inhibitor, the potassium‒competitive acid blocker (P‒CAB) was launched last year and is now increasingly recognized as effective for patients with PPI‒resistant gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as well as for patients with failed in Helicobacter pylori eradication. |