PrevPac (Lansoprazole/Clarithromycin/Amoxicilin)

General Information on PrevPac

PrevPac is used for treating stomach or intestinal ulcers caused due to H. pylori bacteria. It also prevents the ulcers from coming back. An ulcer can lead to serious damage to the stomach or intestinal lining, including blockage, tearing or bleeding.

This medicine is a combination of three drugs: Lansoprazole, Clarithromycin and Amoxicillin. Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic, while Lansoprazole belongs to the class of PPIs or proton pump inhibitors. Antibiotics work by fighting the growth and spread of bacteria. PPIs work by blocking the production of acid in the patient’s stomach.

You can buy PrevPac in the form of oral capsules and tablets.

Side effects of PrevPac

Before you buy PrevPac, inform your doctor if you have an allergy to Lansoprazole, Clarithromycin or Amoxicillin, or to macrolide antibiotics (e.g. erythromycin), cephalosporins (e.g. cephalexin) or penicillin (e.g. ampicillin). If you are allergic to any of these ingredients, you may witness allergy symptoms. Such symptoms include hives, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, or facial swelling.

Also inform your doctor if you have a liver or kidney disease, muscle disease, or a viral infection such as infectious mononucleosis. Seek medical attention immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

1. Heartburn along with lightheadedness, dizziness or sweating
2. Chest pain
3. Shoulder or jaw pain along with trouble breathing
4. Unexplained weight loss
5. Pain spreading to the neck, shoulders or arms

Clarithromycin in PrevPac may sometimes lead to QT prolongation, which may result in fatally fast or irregular heartbeat. Inform your doctor beforehand if you have a family history of heart problems such as sudden cardiac death or QT prolongation, or if you have a heart problem such as heart failure or slow heartbeat.

PrevPac patients may commonly experience an abnormal taste in the mouth, vomiting, nausea, headache or diarrhea. These are mild side effects of the drug and can be easily managed with or without medical help. However, you should notify your doctor immediately if any of these become too troublesome.

Some serious side effects associated with PrevPac include:

1. Muscle weakness
2. Decreased or increased urination
3. Dark urine
4. Yellowing of the eyes or skin
5. Easy bruising or bleeding
6. Mental or mood changes such as confusion or agitation
7. Signs of a new infection such as persistent throat soreness and fever
8. Fainting
9. Severe dizziness
10. Fast or irregular heartbeat

Dosage of PrevPac

Each PrevPac dose contains three capsules and one tablet. You have to take all the 4 pills twice a day, usually before meals.

You will be advised to swallow the pills whole, without crushing, breaking, opening, chewing or dissolving them.

Interactions

Some of the drugs that may interact adversely with PrevPac include the following:

1. Blood thinners (e.g. warfarin)
2. Ergot alkaloids (e.g. ergotamine or dihydroergotamine)
3. HIV protease inhibitors (e.g. atazanavir)
4. Rifamycin (e.g. rifabutin)
5. Benzodiazepines (e.g. alprazolam)
6. Drugs for treating erectile dysfunction (e.g. sildenafil)
7. Statin drugs (e.g. lovastatin or atorvastatin)