Lansoprazole/Amoxicillin/Clarithromycin, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic; proton pump inhibitor

Generic and brand names: lansoprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin, oral; Prevpac

What is this medicine used for?

This combination of 3 medicines (a proton pump inhibitor and 2 antibiotics) is taken by mouth to treat H. pylori infection and duodenal (stomach) ulcers. It may help to keep the ulcers from coming back.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• an irregular heartbeat
• kidney or liver disease.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are currently taking any other antibiotic.

Do not take this medicine if you are taking pimozide (Orap).

Females of childbearing age: Clarithromycin (Biaxin), one medicine in this combination treatment, should not be taken during pregnancy because it may harm the baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking these medicines. Breast-feeding is not recommended while you are taking these medicines.

How do I take it?

Take these medicines exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Swallow the pills whole. Do not break or chew them.

If you have any questions about how to take your dose, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to explain. Take these medicines for as long as your provider tells you to (usually for 10 to 14 days). If you stop taking them too soon, the infection and ulcers may return.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

These 3 medicines are to be used together to kill the H. pylori bacteria. They should not be used alone or in other combinations for other purposes.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe diarrhea, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, light-colored bowel movements, unusual bruising or bleeding, irregular heartbeat, severe nausea or vomiting, severe stomach pain.

Other: Headache; change in taste sensation; nausea; change in the color of your teeth or tongue; vaginal itching or discharge; dizziness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• allopurinol (Zyloprim)
• any other antibiotics
• antiarrhythmics such as quinidine, disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide, amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), sotalol (Betapace), and dofetilide (Tikosyn)
• antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakene)
• benzodiazepines such as triazolam (Halcion), alprazolam (Xanax) and midazolam (Versed)
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
• colchicine
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors such as lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), and atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf, Protopic)
• iron medicines
• medicines to treat erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra)
• medicines used to treat HIV/AIDS such as zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir), amprenavir (Agenerase), indinavir Crixivan, saquinavir (Invirase), ritonavir (Norvir), atazanavir (Reyataz), and nelfinavir (Viracept)
• methotrexate
• migraine medicines such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal)
• pimozide (Orap)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• sucralfate (Carafate) (take Carafate 2 hours before or after this medicine)
• theophylline

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.