Generic name: amoxicillin, clarithromycin and vonoprazan
Drug class: H. pylori eradication agents
Dosage form: co-packaged capsules and tablets
Availability: Prescription only
Pregnancy & Lactation: Risk data available
Brand names: Vonoprazan, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin (monograph), Amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and vonoprazan
What is Voquezna triple pak?
Voquezna Triple Pak is a treatment regimen containing antibiotics and an acid blocker for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in adults.
H. pylori is a bacteria that can infect the lining of the stomach and upper intestine. H. pylori infection is a common cause of stomach ulcers (peptic ulcers).
Voquezna Triple Pak contains amoxicillin capsules, clarithromycin tablets, and vonoprazan tablets. Amoxicillin and clarithromycin are both antibiotics, and vonoprazan is a potassium-competitive acid blocker (PCAB) that blocks acid secretion in the stomach.
Warnings
Voquezna Triple Pak can cause serious allergic reactions. Get emergency medical help if you have hives, itching, trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat, or if you feel light-headed.
The antibiotic medicines contained in Voquezna Triple Pak can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
How should I take Voquezna triple pak
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Each dose of this combination medicine contains two capsules and two tablets (2 amoxicillin 500 mg capsules, 1 clarithromycin 500 mg tablet and 1 vonoprazan 20 mg tablet). Each dose is given twice daily (morning and evening, 12 hours apart), with or without food, for 14 days.
Swallow each pill whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.
Keep using this medicine even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses could make your infection resistant to medication.
Store at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Helicobacter pylori Infection
The recommended dosage regimen is vonoprazan 20 mg plus amoxicillin 1000 mg plus clarithromycin 500 mg, each given twice daily (morning and evening, 12 hours apart), with or without food, for 14 days.
Use: treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection in adults.
Before Taking
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to amoxicillin (Amoxil), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or vonoprazan, or if:
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you are allergic to azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak), erythromycin, or telithromycin;
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you have had a severe allergic reaction to a penicillin antibiotic, including ampicillin, dicloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin, and ticarcillin; or
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you are taking any HIV medicine that contains rilpivirine (Cabenuva, Complera, Edurant, Juluca, or Odefsey); or
- you have had jaundice or liver problems caused by taking clarithromycin; or
- you have liver or kidney disease and you also take a medicine called colchicine.
Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used with clarithromycin. Your doctor may need to change your treatment plan if you use any of the following drugs:
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pimozide;
-
lomitapide
-
lovastatin or simvastatin; or
- ergotamine or dihydroergotamine.
Tell your doctor if you have:
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liver disease;
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kidney disease;
- mononucleosis (also called "mono");
-
allergies; or
-
myasthenia gravis.
Some of the drugs contained in this medicine may harm an unborn baby. Use birth control and tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment, but a lactating woman can pump and discard breast milk during the 14-day course of treatment and for 2 days after.
Voquezna Triple Pak is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while using Voquezna triple pak?
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Voquezna triple pak side effects
Voquezna Triple Pak can cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
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severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);
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fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
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liver problems--upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults.
Common side effects include:
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dysgeusia (altered taste);
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diarrhea;
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vulvovaginal candidiasis (vaginal yeast infection);
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headache;
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abdominal pain; and
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hypertension (blood pressure).
What other drugs will affect Voquezna triple pak?
A gout medication called colchicine (Colcrys) can interact with clarithromycin and cause serious or life-threatening medical problems. You should not take colchicine during your treatment with Voquezna Triple Pak, especially if you are an older adult with kidney disease.
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Clarithromycin can cause a serious heart problem. Your risk may be higher if you also use certain other medicines for infections, asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, depression, mental illness, cancer, malaria, or HIV.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines, especially:
- rilpivirine;
-
pimozide;
-
lomitapide
-
lovastatin or simvastatin;
-
ergotamine or dihydroergotamine; or
- colchicine.
This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Voquezna Triple Pak. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.