Each dose of PREVPAC (lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin) contains four pills: one pink and black capsule (PREVACID), two opaque, yellow capsules (amoxicillin) and one yellow tablet (clarithromycin). Each dose should be taken twice per day before eating. Patients should be instructed to swallow each pill whole.

PREVPAC (lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin) may interact with some drugs; therefore patients should be advised to report to their doctor the use of any other medications.

Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs including PREVPAC (lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin) should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold). When PREVPAC (lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin) is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by PREVPAC (lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin) or other antibacterial drugs in the future.

Diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics which usually ends when the antibiotic is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as two or more months after having taken the last dose of the antibiotic. If this occurs, patients should contact their physician as soon as possible.

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/22/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.