Lansoprazole/clarithromycin/amoxicillin (patient information)

Why this medication is prescribed

Prevpac (lansoprazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin) is used to treat Helicobacter pylori infections associated with ulcers. Each daily administration pack contains a single day's dose of lansoprazole, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin.

How this medication should be used

Prevpac comes as an individual card containing a single day's dose of lansoprazole (two capsules), clarithromycin (two tablets), and amoxicillin (four capsules). You should take one lansoprazole capsule, one clarithromycin tablet, and two amoxicillin capsules twice a day. The individual dosing cards are supplied in boxes of 14 cards, which will give you a 2-week supply of medication. The tablets and capsules should be taken by mouth. All three medications can be taken at the same time. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take the medication in Prevpac exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Special precautions

Before taking Prevpac:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amoxicillin, azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin, lansoprazole (Prevacid), penicillin, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially allopurinol (Lopurin, Zyloprim), other antibiotics, anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), astemizole (Hismanal), carbamazepine (Tegretol), cisapride (Propulsid), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranol), disopyramide (Norpace), ergotamine, felodipine (Plendil), fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), lovastatin (Mevacor), oral contraceptives, phenytoin (Dilantin), pimozide (Orap), probenecid (Benemid), sucralfate (Carafate), tacrolimus (Prograf), theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, Slo-Phyllin, others), triazolam (Halcion), zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma; irregular heartbeats; jaundice or yellowing of the skin or eyes; colitis; stomach problems; or liver or kidney disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking the medications in Prevpac, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you take Prevpac.

Special dietary instructions

Clarithromycin and amoxicillin may cause an upset stomach. Take your medication doses with food or milk.

What to do if you forget a dose

Take the missed dose (one lansoprazole capsule, one clarithromycin tablet, and 2 amoxicillin capsules) as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects

Minor side effects

The medications in Prevpac may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• diarrhea
• stomach pain or cramps
• vomiting
• upset stomach
• altered taste sensation
• headache
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• sour stomach

Severe side effects

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• hives
• rash
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• yellowing of the eyes of skin
• dark urine
• pale stools
• unusual tiredness
• vaginal infection

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication

Keep this medication in the daily packets and storage box they came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms after you finish your prescription, call your doctor.

Brand names

• Prevpac®