amoxicillin/clarithromycin/lansoprazole

Generic Name: amoxicillin/clarithromycin/lansoprazole
Other Brand Names: Prevpac
Overview Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose

What is amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole?

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic in the class of drugs called penicillins. It fights bacteria in your body.

Clarithromycin is an antibiotic in a class of drugs called macrolides. Clarithromycin also fights bacteria in your body.

Lansoprazole decreases the amount of acid produced in your stomach.

The combination, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole, is used to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach and to treat Helicobacter pylori, a bacterial infection involved in causing stomach ulcers.

Amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole may also be used for conditions other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole?

Do not take amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole if you are taking any of the following medicines:

  • terfenadine (Seldane, Seldane-D),

  • cisapride (Propulsid), or

  • pimozide (Orap).

The medicines listed above may interact with clarithromycin, possibly resulting in a dangerous irregular heartbeat pattern.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

  • kidney disease,

  • liver disease, or

  • an allergy to penicillins or cephalosporins.

You may not be able to take amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole may pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby. Do not take amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole?

Take amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each four-pill dose with a full glass of water.

Each four-pill dose consists of one pink-and-black lansoprazole (Prevacid) capsule, two maroon-and-pink amoxicillin (Trimox) capsules, and one yellow clarithromycin (Biaxin) tablet.

Amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole is usually taken twice a day (every 12 hours), before eating. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Do not crush, chew, or break the pills. Swallow them whole.

Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor tells you it is all right to do so, even if you are feeling better. Take all of your medication to eliminate the bacteria. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely treated.

Store amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Where can I get more information about amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole?
Your pharmacist has information about amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole?

Stop taking amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole and talk to your doctor if you experience

  • changes in taste,

  • headache,

  • diarrhea or nausea,

  • dark stools,

  • dark tongue,

  • dry mouth or increased thirst, or

  • a yeast infection.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole?

Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor tells you it is all right to do so, even if you are feeling better. Take all of your medication to eliminate the bacteria. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely treated.

Do not crush, chew, or break the pills. Swallow them whole.

What should I avoid while taking amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole?

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are taking amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole, unless your doctor directs otherwise.

What other drugs will affect amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole?

Do not take amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole if you are taking any of the following medicines:

  • terfenadine (Seldane, Seldane-D),

  • cisapride (Propulsid), or

  • pimozide (Orap).

The medicines listed above may interact with clarithromycin, possibly resulting in a dangerous irregular heartbeat pattern.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

  • digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

  • theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Theochron, others);

  • sucralfate (Carafate);

  • triazolam (Halcion);

  • astemizole (Hismanal);

  • warfarin (Coumadin);

  • ergotamine (Cafergot, Ercaf, Ergostat, Ergomar, others) or dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45);

  • carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), or valproate (Depakote, Depakene);

  • cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune);

  • tacrolimus (Prograf);

  • lovastatin (Mevacor) or simvastatin (Zocor);

  • disopyramide (Norpace);

  • allopurinol (Zyloprim);

  • probenecid (Benemid); or

  • methotrexate (Rheumatrex).

You may not be able to take amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Amoxicillin may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control while taking amoxicillin to protect against pregnancy.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

What happens if I have an overdose of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and lansoprazole overdose are not known but might include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, muscle spasms or weakness, pain or twitching, pain in the fingers or toes, loss of feeling in the fingers or toes, seizures, confusion, coma, and agitation.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008