Proton pump inhibitors as a class

Class Proton pump inhibitor
Chemistry
All share a common core structure, consisting of a substituted benzimidazole ring and a pyridine rin
Routes of administration

 All available as IV formulations as well as oral tablets. 

Absorption
Well absorbed in the small intestine; but deactivated by acid and need enteric coating. Bioavailability improves with repeat dosing from 35 to 60%, because of first pass enzyme inhibition.
Solubility
All are weak bases with a pKa of around 3.9-4.5. Vary in their water solubility, from good (pantoprazole) to minimal (lansoprazole).
Distribution
All are highly (97%) protein bound; VOD = about 0.2-0.3L/kg. Tend to accumulate (concentrated by 1000 times) in the highly acidic luminal environment of the parietal cell's secretory canaliculi, where the pH can be as low as 1.0
Metabolism
Inactive prodrugs; metabolised by CYP450 in the liver. Biotransformed into the active forms (sulfenamide derivatives) by the acidic environment of parietal cells
Elimination
Minimal renal clearance as unchaged drug - mostly inactive metabolites are excreted in this way.
Time course of action
Half-life is 0.5-1.0 hours; duration of proton pump inhibition is up to 72 hours (new pump proteins need to be made)
Target receptor

H+/K+ ATPase pumps, or "proton pumps" on the apical surface of gastric parietal cells

Mechanism of action

By binding covalently to active proton pumps on the luminal surface of the gastric parietal cells, the action of the pump is disrupted, which results in the cessation of gastric acid secretion. This leads to a neutralisation of gastric pH.

Clinical effects

Neutralisation of gastric pH (up to 6.0 with IV infusion). Side effects include - Hypomagnesemia - Interstitial nephritis - B12 and iron deficiency - Intestinal bacterial overgrowth - Increased risk of C.difficile infection - Increased risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia

Literature reference

Fock et al (2008)

CICM details of understanding Level 3
Mentioned around Deranged Physiology
Related SAQs