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Prevpac Therapy for Acid Reflux

Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), happens when stomach acids back up into the esophagus causing it to becomes irritated or inflamed. Acid reflux is a serious condition. If not treated, it can lead to Barrett’s esophagus, which changes the normal squamous cells lining the esophagus into abnormal cells. Barrett’s esophagus is a precursor to esophageal cancer, for which there is no cure. There are many causes of acid reflux; however, one is from a bacteria called H. pylori that causes peptic ulcers in the stomach. To treat both the acid reflux and the bacteria, your doctor may recommend the Prevpac therapy.

  1. Treatment

    • The H. pylori bacteria must be treated with multiple medications. The medications in the Prevpac kill the bacteria, reduce acid reflux, and protect the stomach and duodenal lining. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), “a clarithromycin-based triple therapy--triple therapy, for short--is the standard treatment for an ulcer caused by H. pylori.” This triple therapy typically consists of two antibiotics to kill and inhibit the growth of the bacteria and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to control acid reflux.

    Manufacturer

    • Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. manufactures both the Prevpac and Prevacid, which treats acid reflux. Prevacid's generic name is lansoprazole.

      The Prevpac therapy is only used to treat or prevent the H. pylori bacteria and duodenal ulcers that are active. Prevpac is also used for ulcers that a patient has had for at least one year.

    Prevpac Therapy

    • The Prevpac is dispensed on single dosing cards in a box that contains a 14-day supply. Each dose of Prevpac has four pills: one Prevacid, which treats the acid reflux caused by H. pylori; two amoxicillin capsules,which are the antibiotic that eliminates the H. pylori bacteria; and one Clarithromycin tablet, another antibiotic that stops the H. pylori bacteria from growing. As part of the therapy, each dose should be taken at the same time twice a day by mouth for 14 days or more. According to the NDDIC, “research shows higher cure rates with 14 days of treatment.”

    Side Effects

    • The side effects of taking all three medications as part of the Prevpac therapy are minimal. They may include diarrhea, sour stomach, stomach pains or cramps, vomiting, nausea, headache, dizziness and a bad taste in the mouth. For all other side effects you should immediately contact your doctor.

    Important Warning

    • According to the National Institute of Health, on May, 25, 2010, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) notified health-care professionals and patients about revisions to all prescription and over-the-counter labels for PPIs.

      This revision from the FDA warns the public about the possibility of increased fractures in the hip, wrist and spine when using acid reflux medication like Prevacid over a long period of time. Prevacid is one of the three medications that is used in Prevpac therapy.

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