Have you always thought you had stomach inflammation or gastritis, but when your doctor examined you, he told you that you have a special bacteria that causes stomach ulcers? Today, we are going to talk about a special medicine pack that combines three types of medicines that doctors recommend in such cases. It is very important for you to know exactly about this.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, this is a combination of three medications. The main function of these three medications is to control the bacterial infection that causes ulcers in your stomach. This pack contains:
- Vonoprazan: This is a medicine that reduces the production of gastric acid in the stomach. It belongs to the group called `(Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker - PCAB)`.
- Amoxicillin: A well-known and widely used antibiotic belonging to the penicillin family.
- Clarithromycin: This is another powerful antibiotic (macrolide antibiotic) that kills bacteria.
This combination of three medications is also known as ``VOQUEZNA'' in the market. It works by killing bacteria, controlling stomach acid, and helping to heal ulcers.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before giving you this medicine. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you have a history of heart disease or irregular heartbeat. | Some ingredients in this medicine can affect the heart rate. |
| If you have kidney or liver disease. | Since medications are eliminated from the body through these organs, it is important to be aware of their function. |
| If you have a neurological disease such as myasthenia gravis. | This medicine may worsen symptoms. |
| If you have allergies to these medications or other antibiotics, foods, or dyes. | This is essential to prevent a serious allergic reaction. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. | This medicine may harm an unborn baby and is also not suitable during breastfeeding. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
- Take this medicine with a glass of water. Take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time.
- You can take this before or after a meal, but if you feel upset stomach, it is best to take it with a meal.
- The most important thing is to take the full course of medication. Do not stop taking the medication half way through because you think you are feeling better. Doing so may cause the infection to return without being completely cured.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is less than 4 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you accidentally take too much of this medicine, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Alternatively, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
If you are taking medication for other conditions, you should be especially careful. This medicine pack may interact with some other medications.
Important: Tell your doctor about all the medications you take (prescribed, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, traditional medicine). It is very important for your safety.
Below are some medications that may cause problems with this medicine. This is not a complete list.
| Medicines to avoid with this medicine | |
|---|---|
| Alfuzosin | Alprazolam, Triazolam (for anxiety/sleep) |
| Lomitapide, Lovastatin, Simvastatin (for cholesterol) | Cisapride, Colchicine, Dronedarone |
| Ergotamine, Dihydroergotamine (for migraine) | Pimozide, Thioridazine (for mental illness) |
| Finerenone, Eplerenone, Tolvaptan | Ketoconazole, Levoketoconazole |
| Medicines that should be taken under medical advice (Use with caution) due to the possibility of interactions | |
| Warfarin (to prevent blood clots) | Digoxin (for heart disease) |
| Birth control pills | Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin (for cholesterol) |
| Some medications for cancer (e.g. Dasatinib) | Some medications for HIV or Hepatitis |
Other things to consider when taking the medicine
- Diarrhea: Some people may experience diarrhea while taking this medicine. This usually subsides within a day or two. However, if you have watery diarrhea that lasts for more than two days, or if you have diarrhea that is accompanied by fever, do not take over-the-counter medication and call your doctor immediately.
- Skin allergy: Rarely, serious skin allergies may occur when using this medicine. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as fever, body aches, red or purple spots on the skin that later blister and peel, or red spots on the face, lips, neck, or armpits along with swollen lymph nodes.
- Birth control: Birth control pills may be less effective while taking this medication. So, if you are not planning to have a baby, talk to your doctor about using an additional form of birth control, such as condoms, while taking this medication and for a few days after stopping it.
- Pregnancy and lactation: This medicine is not suitable for pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant. Also, if you are a nursing mother, avoid breastfeeding your baby while taking this medicine. Ask your doctor for more information about this.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, this medicine can cause side effects in some people. Some of them can be serious, while others can be mild.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Changes in heart rate | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, dizziness, chest pain. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes/skin, dark urine. |
| Skin blistering/itching | Redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin, including around the mouth. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Diarrhea | Change in taste or a metallic taste in the mouth. |
| Headache | Nausea, stomach pain, or stomach discomfort. |
Take-Home Message
- Take the entire course of medication prescribed by your doctor, without skipping a day. Do not stop halfway through just because the pain has subsided.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, or traditional medicine you are taking.
- If you experience severe diarrhea, fever, or skin blisters while taking the medicine, seek medical advice immediately.
- Because this medicine can affect the effectiveness of birth control pills, talk to your doctor about an additional method of birth control.
- If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, it is essential to talk to your doctor before taking this medication.
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