8 mins read

Voquezna Dual Pak is used to treat an infection in the stomach caused by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). It contains two different medicines that work together to kill this bacteria. Common side effects include diarrhea and stomach pain. Serious side effects are rare but may include allergic reactions and severe diarrhea. If you develop a rash, stop the medicine and call your health care provider right away.

Uses

What is Voquezna Dual Pak used for?

Voquezna Dual Pak (vonoprazan and amoxicillin) is commonly used to treat Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, which occur in the stomach. Infection with H. pylori can lead to stomach ulcers and other problems.

Voquezna Dual Pak contains two medicines that are used together to fight a specific type of bacteria, H. pylori, that infects the stomach. Some bacteria may have developed resistance to the antibiotic in Voquezna Dual Pak. This may make the antibiotic not work as well. 

This antibiotic will not work for infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold, the flu, or coronavirus. It will also not work for any other infections that are not caused by bacteria. Taking any antibiotic when it is not needed may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

Voquezna Dual Pak may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

See also: Voquezna Triple Pak

How does Voquezna Dual Pak work (mechanism of action)?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that grows well in acidic places, like the stomach. Voquezna Dual Pak contains two different medicines called vonoprazan and amoxicillin. These medicines are used together to help get rid of an H. pylori infection. They each work in different ways. 

Vonoprazan helps to fight H. pylori infection by decreasing the amount of acid that the stomach makes. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that kills H. pylori by preventing it from creating a cell wall. 

How is Voquezna Dual Pak supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Voquezna Dual Pak

Dosage forms and strengths

  • Vonoprazan 20 mg oral tablets co-packaged with amoxicillin 500 mg oral capsules

How should I store Voquezna Dual Pak?

Voquezna Dual Pak should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Voquezna Dual Pak?

The most common side effects of Voquezna Dual Pak are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Voquezna Dual Pak that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Voquezna Dual Pak?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Voquezna Dual Pak are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Voquezna Dual Pak may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Severe Skin Reactions. Voquezna Dual Pak can cause severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). These can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop the medicine and call your health care provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a severe skin reaction.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Red skin covered with pus-filled bumps (pustules)
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes

Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including amoxicillin, one of the medicines in Voquezna Dual Pak. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Drug-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (DIES). Amoxicillin, one of the medicines in Voquezna Dual Pak, may rarely cause a severe reaction in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract called drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome (DIES). This reaction can be life-threatening and usually occurs within a day of taking the medicine. Stop taking Voquezna Dual Pak and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.  

  • Severe vomiting that happens within a couple hours of taking the medicine
  • Severe diarrhea
  • Extreme tiredness or weakness
  • Unusually pale skin
  • Low blood pressure
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Confusion
  • Unsteadiness

Kidney Problems. A type of kidney problem called acute tubulointerstitial nephritis has happened in some people taking vonoprazan, one of the medicines in Voquezna Dual Pak. If you notice a change in the amount of your urine (pee) or see blood in your urine, call your health care provider right away.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Voquezna Dual Pak?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Voquezna Dual Pak.

  • Amoxicillin
  • Vonoprazan
  • Voquezna Dual Pak
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Voquezna Dual Pak.

Allergies to Certain Antibiotics. Some people who have an allergy to certain other antibiotics may also be allergic to amoxicillin, one of the medicines in Voquezna Dual Pak. Let your health care provider know if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic.

Drug Interactions. Voquezna Dual Pak should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Voquezna Dual Pak, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Voquezna Dual Pak before using it?

Do not take Voquezna Dual Pak unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Voquezna Dual Pak with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Voquezna Dual Pak out of the reach of children.

Each dose of Voquezna Dual Pak comes in a “daily treatment pack.” Follow the instructions on the blister card and ask your pharmacist or other health care provider if you have any questions. At the end of each day after all doses have been taken, the empty card may be thrown away.

Voquezna Dual Pak may affect the results of certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers that you are taking this medicine before any lab tests or bloodwork. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using Voquezna Dual Pak?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Voquezna Dual Pak is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • An allergy to any other medicines
  • History of antibiotic-associated diarrhea
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Mononucleosis, also called “mono” or the kissing disease

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Voquezna Dual Pak could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will advise you if you should take Voquezna Dual Pak while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

If you become pregnant, contact your health care provider right away. You can also notify the company that makes this medicine by calling 888-775-7428. The company is collecting safety information about the use of Voquezna Dual Pak during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding. Voquezna Dual Pak passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You and your health care provider may decide that you should pump your breastmilk and throw it away while you are taking this medicine and for two days after you finish taking it. During this time, you may feed your baby previously stored breastmilk or infant formula.

How can I get more information about Voquezna Dual Pak?

For more information about Voquezna Dual Pak, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.voquezna.com/hp or call them at 877-742-8466.

Interactions

Does Voquezna Dual Pak interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Voquezna Dual Pak and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Voquezna Dual Pak, but heavy drinking can make it harder for your body to fight infection and increase your risk of developing stomach ulcers.

Does Voquezna Dual Pak interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Voquezna Dual Pak.

  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • A medicine for HIV or AIDS
  • Allopurinol or probenecid, which are medicines commonly used for gout
  • An antifungal medicine, such as itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura) or ketoconazole, which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • An antiplatelet medicine, such as cilostazol or clopidogrel (Plavix), which is a medicine used to prevent blood clots
  • Citalopram (Celexa), which is a medicine commonly used to treat depression
  • Iron, which is a supplement used to improve the iron levels in your blood
  • Mycophenolate (Cellcept and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others) or tacrolimus, which are medicines that suppresses your immune system
  • A tyrosine kinase inhibitor, such as dasatinib (Sprycel), erlotinib (Tarceva), or nilotinib (Tasigna), which is a medicine used to treat certain types of cancer

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Voquezna Dual Pak, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Voquezna Dual Pak. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Voquezna Dual Pak?

If you or someone else has used too much Voquezna Dual Pak, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Voquezna Dual Pak?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it has been more than four hours since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take double or extra doses.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Voquezna Dual Pak, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk of future infections being resistant to these or other similar medicines.

Look up another drug