Is Anamorelin a proton pump inhibitor and why?

Anamorelin(Anamorelin) is a selective gastrin-releasing peptide receptor agonist (GHS-R agonist), mainly used to treat appetite loss and weight loss caused by cancer. It improves the weight status of cancer patients by regulating appetite, especially for those with advanced cancer who suffer from loss of appetite. However, anamorelin is not a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), and the two drugs have significant differences in their mechanisms of action, uses, and diseases treated.

Proton pump inhibitors are a class of drugs used to treat conditions related to excess stomach acid. They reduce the secretion of gastric acid by inhibiting the proton pump in the gastric parietal cells, and are often used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric ulcer, gastritis and other diseases. Common proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole, lansoprazole, etc. They relieve symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach pain caused by excessive gastric acidity by reducing gastric acid secretion.

In contrast, anamulin's mechanism of action does not involve inhibiting gastric acid secretion. In contrast, anamorelin is a drug that promotes appetite by activating the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GHS-R). Anamorelin increases the secretion of hunger hormones (such as gastrin) in the body by stimulating these receptors, thereby promoting appetite and increasing food intake. It is especially suitable for patients with severe loss of appetite and weight loss due to cancer treatment or tumor progression.

Anamorelin does not directly affect the secretion of gastric acid. Its main function is to relieve the patient's symptoms of anorexia by regulating the appetite mechanism of the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike proton pump inhibitors, anamorelin is not used to treat gastric acid-related diseases, but to improve the quality of life of cancer patients by improving their weight and nutritional status. By increasing appetite, anamorelin helps patients take in more food and nutrients, reducing feelings of weakness and reduced quality of life caused by weight loss.

Reference materials:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5776683/