Lansoprazole/Amoxicillin/Clarithromycin, Oral lan-SOH-pra-zol a-moks-ih-SIL-in kla-RITH-roh-my-sin

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
• myasthenia gravis

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

Do not take this medicine if you are taking pimozide (Orap), ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf), or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal)

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?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. 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). Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. If you stop taking them too soon, the infection and ulcers may return.

What if I miss a dose?

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 if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, stomach pain, extreme weakness.

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.

This medicine may cause or worsen diarrhea. If you develop severe diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than 2 or 3 days while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not treat yourself. Some diarrhea medicine will make your diarrhea worse.

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 sense of taste; 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)
• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam
• antiarrhythmics such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), procainamide, quinidine, and sotalol (Betapace
• antifungal medicines such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• anti-HIV medicines such as atazanavir (Reyataz), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), and zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir)
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), primidone (Mysoline), and valproic acid (Depakene)
• any other antibiotics
• chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
• cholesterol-lowering medicines (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), and simvastatin (Zocor)
• colchicine
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• fentanyl (Duragesic)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• immunosuppressants such as azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf, Protopic)
• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as clopidogrel (Plavix) and warfarin (Coumadin)
• medicines to block stomach acid such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), and pantoprazole (Protonix)
• medicines to treat erectile dysfunction such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra)
• methotrexate
• migraine medicines such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal) and ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf) or pimozide (Orap)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• sucralfate (Carafate) (take Carafate 2 hours before or after this medicine)
• theophylline
• vitamins or supplements that contain iron or magnesium

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. 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.