Have you been suffering from gastritis for a long time with stomach pain and inflammation? Has your doctor examined you and told you that your stomach ulcers are caused by a bacteria called H. pylori? If so, and you were given a pack of three medications at once, this article will be very important to you. Let's talk briefly about what these medications are, how they work, and what you need to be careful about when taking them.
What is Triple Therapy?
Simply put, it's a combination of three medications. It's like a special operation team. The three main members of this team are Lansoprazole , Amoxicillin , and Clarithromycin . Together, these three work to fight the bacteria called H. pylori in your stomach.
Think of H. pylori as a rogue bacteria that hides in the walls of your stomach and causes problems.
1. Lansoprazole: This works by reducing the amount of acid produced in your stomach. This acid is a safe haven for the H. pylori bacteria. So Lansoprazole weakens that acid shield, paving the way for the other two drugs to attack the bacteria. We call these types of drugs proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
2. Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin: These two are the main fighters. These are two types of antibiotics. They attack the H. pylori bacteria directly and kill them, or stop their growth. Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic, while Clarithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic.
Only when these three medications work together can the H. pylori bacteria be completely eliminated from your body and stomach ulcers can be healed.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before starting this treatment, it is extremely important to inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Your health condition | Things to pay special attention to |
|---|---|
| Allergies | If you are allergic to these three medications (Lansoprazole, Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin) or any other antibiotic, medicine, food, or dye. |
| Heart disease | If you have a history of heart disease or irregular heartbeat. |
| Liver or kidney disease | If you have any liver or kidney disease. |
| Other medical conditions | Conditions such as lupus or myasthenia gravis. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How to use the medicine correctly?
- Always take this medicine with a full glass of water .
- This medicine is usually prescribed to be taken twice a day, before meals . Follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
- Do not crush or crush the pills. Swallow them whole.
- Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day.
- The most important thing: Do not stop taking the medication halfway through, thinking you are feeling a little better. If you do, the bacteria will not be completely gone. They may become stronger again and become resistant to the medication later. Therefore, it is essential to complete the prescribed number of days.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Some medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines can cause problems when taken together with this triple therapy. So it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking.
Especially if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other illegal drugs, inform your doctor about that as well.
Below are some things that may interact with this medication. Keep in mind that this list is not complete.
- Some medications for cholesterol (e.g. Simvastatin, Lovastatin)
- Some medications for HIV/AIDS
- Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin)
- Diabetes medication
- Medication for anxiety or sleep
- Some medications for high blood pressure
- Medication for irregular heartbeat
- Medicines for fungal infections
- Iron supplements
- Sucralfate (another medication for gastritis)
Things to be careful about while taking the medicine
- Severe skin reactions: Sometimes, severe skin reactions can occur even weeks after starting the medication. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop red/purple spots on your skin with fever, body aches, which later blister and start peeling, or if you develop a red rash with swelling of the face or lips.
- Severe diarrhea: It is normal to experience some mild diarrhea while taking this medicine. However , if the diarrhea is severe and accompanied by fever, severe abdominal pain, and vomiting, it may be a sign of a serious condition. Do not self-medicate and talk to your doctor.
- Birth control: If you are taking birth control pills (Estrogen/Progestin hormones), the effectiveness of those pills may be reduced while taking this medication. Therefore, it is safer to use another barrier method of birth control, such as condoms, during this time. Talk to your doctor about this.
- Vitamin B12: There is a small chance that your body's vitamin B12 levels may decrease when taking this treatment for a long time. Talk to your doctor about your diet and the types of vitamins you are taking.
Possible side effects of the medicine
Like any medication, this combination of medications can cause some side effects. While most of them are not serious, there are some things we should be aware of.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergy | Skin rash , itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain. |
| Effects on the liver or kidneys | Pain in the upper right abdomen, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, decreased urine output, and ankle swelling. |
| Severe skin symptoms | Redness, blistering, peeling skin (even inside the mouth). |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Diarrhea | Mild abdominal distension. (For severe cases, see above) |
| Change in taste in the mouth | Metallic taste in the mouth. |
| Headache | Common headache. |
How should you store your medicine?
Keep this medicine package in a safe place out of the reach of children and pets. Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius), away from direct sunlight and moisture. Discard expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- This treatment is a combination of three medications that fight the H. pylori bacteria.
- Take the medicine as prescribed by the doctor, at the prescribed time, before meals.
- Even if you feel well, do not stop the prescribed course for any reason.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a severe skin rash, severe diarrhea with fever, or any other serious side effect.
- If you are using birth control pills, it is important to use an extra protective method, such as a condom, during this time.
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