As with other drugs, Voquezna (vonoprazan) can cause side effects, such as diarrhea and kidney inflammation. If you can’t tolerate the side effects of Voquezna, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Voquezna (vonoprazan) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for the following uses:

The side effects you experience may vary depending on the condition being treated.

If you have problems with side effects from Voquezna, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest ways to manage side effects or other available treatment options. Do not stop taking Voquezna without consulting your doctor first.

For additional information about Voquezna, including details about its uses, see this Voquezna overview article.

Voquezna can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects persist, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Voquezna in clinical trials. These side effects can vary depending on the condition being treated:

For more information about diarrhea and Voquezna, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Mild side effects can occur with Voquezna use. This list does not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Voquezna’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Voquezna include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects continue, worsen, or become too difficult to tolerate, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information about diarrhea and Voquezna, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Voquezna and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

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Voquezna may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Voquezna’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Voquezna, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

For more information about kidney inflammation and Voquezna, see the “Managing side effects” section.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Voquezna can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. However, severe skin reactions have occured with Voquenza. See the “Serious side effects of Voquezna” section for more details.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Voquezna, your doctor will recommend taking a different medication instead.

While taking Voquezna, you may be able to take steps to make side effects easier to manage.

If you have problems with side effects that do not go away or become worse, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest options for managing side effects or recommend other available treatment options.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea was a common side effect reported in studies of Voquezna. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

If your diarrhea doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor. Voquezna can also cause a serious type of diarrhea called C. diff-associated diarrhea, which is caused by a type of bacteria. Your doctor can help determine whether you’ll need antibiotics to treat this type of diarrhea.

Kidney inflammation

Sudden kidney inflammation, also called acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, was a less common side effect reported in studies of Voquezna. However, this side effect was serious.

Signs of kidney inflammation may include:

If you notice signs of kidney inflammation, contact your doctor immediately. Getting medical care quickly can help prevent more serious kidney problems.

Your doctor may stop Voquezna treatment and check your kidney function with blood and urine tests. If needed, they may recommend drinking more fluids or other treatments to help your kidneys heal. In some cases, they may prescribe corticosteroid medication to reduce inflammation.

Similar to Voquezna, omeprazole is another drug that’s used to treat GERD and other conditions. The drugs have similar and different side effects.

Both drugs commonly cause diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. Voquezna is more likely to cause high blood pressure. Omeprazole more commonly causes cold-like symptoms and headache.

In terms of serious side effects, both drugs can cause kidney inflammation and increase the risk of bone fracture if they’re taken long-term. They can also increase the risk of C. diff-associated diarrhea. In addition, Voquezna can cause severe skin reactions, while omeprazole may cause low levels of vitamin B12 and magnesium if people take it long-term.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how the side effects of Voquezna and omeprazole compare.

Before taking Voquezna, discuss your health history with your doctor. Voquezna may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.