The gastroenterologist reflected on what was presented during the convention of the American Gastroenterology Association about a drug that could improve the quality of life of patients with diseases such as Crohn’s.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Ahmed Morales spoke about the progress and alternatives that exist in the treatment of various cases such as erosive esophagitis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Inflammatory bowel diseases. // Photo: Journal of Medicine and Public Health.
We spoke with Dr. Ahmed Morales, a gastroenterologist, editorial advisor to the Journal of Medicine and Public Health, and a specialist in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), who attended the American Association Convention on October 22 gastroenterologyheld in Charlestown to discuss the progress and alternatives that exist in the treatment of certain diseases such as Crohn’s and Ulcerative colitis.
Oral drugs for patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: Vonoprazan
This convention represents a revolution for the area gastroenterology because there were different alternatives and proposals for medicines that will allow IBD patients to enjoy new treatment options: “I have been fortunate to share with other gastroenterologists from Puerto Rico and we all agree that the future is extremely bright and what is coming is great, especially for IBD patients. Crohn’s Mr ulcerative colitis… The trend is that many will come out medicines orally, which may be influential on medicines infusions or injections that will remain in the background, and patients will be offered much more suitable alternatives”, Dr. Morales said in this sense.
One of these drugs is Vonoprezan, which works as a stomach acid blocker, available as a therapy in the United States.
Have these alternatives already been found to treat IBD in Puerto Rico?
Medicines such as Vonoprazan have been on the US market for some time, but have not yet officially arrived in Puerto Rico. It is expected that soon these alternatives will be introduced to the Puerto Rican population suffering from IBD and that they will be able to be formulated by medical specialists: “They are already sold here, but in Puerto Rico to date I have not seen any type of marketing about this product nor have I seen any the propagandist who told me about this product or who advertised it in my office,” points out Dr. Morales.
Why don’t the new drugs reach Puerto Rico?
“I’m not sure if these companies have made it to Puerto Rico yet, or if the drug is known to be too expensive and medical plans won’t cover it. It is very curious how some medicines are marketed here: this drug Vonoprazan has been on the market since 2015, 2016, if I’m not mistaken; It even appeared here and it comes in combination with an antibiotic to attack a common bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, they already sell that product here with the antibiotic, something I never imagined existed in Puerto Rico,” he concludes.
Diversity and development in the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
During the convention, several researches from the pharmaceutical industry were presented, which aim not only to improve the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease Crohn’sbut they also intend to apply them in the future for management Ulcerative colitis: “So much about that Crohn’sAs for colitis, both medicines already appeared and in fact, many of medicines that will come out will attack both conditions… In the future, maybe the difference will fade into the background, it won’t be as important as attacking them with medicines appropriate,” revealed the doctor.
Crohn’s disease does not discriminate by age, but treatment should be considered by patients
“Many patients are young, where there is a possibility of injection medicines or going for an infusion is not the most attractive thing for a young and productive person, but maybe he prefers to take a pill in the peace of home and continue with his activities. This makes the quality of life much healthier and more satisfying,” he explains.
This condition occurs when the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue (autoimmune disorder). However, Dr. Morales insisted that pharmacological advances will increase the quality of life of patients: “unfortunately no “There is a cure for the condition, but there is hope with the treatments and alternatives presented at the convention. Patients can live full and satisfied lives with proper control of their condition.”
Side effects of IBD treatment
Input from medicines the possibility of side effects always precedes the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. This is also exposed in the presentation of these alternatives: “secondary effects are those we have in any other medicine. For example, headache, nausea, among other things that are not what others medicines don’t give it Maybe, like these medicines and it’s been around for many years, we could see other things like protonix, omeprazole and now it’s coming out that could increase the risk of kidney disease, it’s even been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.”
A new generation of antacids in gastroenterology
In addition, the doctor reveals that he discussed a new generation of antacids available to patients with conditions related to reflux or esophagitis: ” medicines that existed earlier, such as omeprazole, protoneque were from this generation medicines who attack what was an acid bomb these medicines in six years they will be a thing of the past. This new generation will monopolize the market because it attacks acid and suppresses it more effectively,” explained Dr. Morales.
There is no cure, but there is hope for patients with inflammatory bowel disease
“Unfortunately, until today’s sun, all these developments are medicines improve the quality of life and control the condition, but unfortunately there is no cure. But yes, certainly, with the very effective treatment discussed at the convention, patients can live a full life with proper control of their condition,” says the gastroenterologist.
Watch the full interview here: