• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• Do not give this medicine to a child. Talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have an allergy to bismuth, metronidazole, salicylates, tetracycline, or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have any of the following conditions: Kidney disease or liver disease.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding.
• Bismuth, metronidazole, and tetracycline work to injure the bacteria and fight the infection.
All forms:
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.
• Take this medicine with meals and at bedtime.
• Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Helidac®:
• Chew bismuth tablets.
• Swallow metronidazole tablets and tetracycline capsules whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
Pylera™:
• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• If you are taking a blood thinner, check blood work (prothrombin time/INR). Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Created: 2005-04-07 16:22:14.0
Modified: 2010-03-09 08:22:53.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Do not take dairy products, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, multivitamins with minerals, colestipol, cholestyramine, didanosine, or antacids within 2 hours of this medicine.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Do not take alcohol for at least 24 hours after the last dose. Drinking alcohol or alcohol containing products such as cough syrup may cause cramps, nausea, headaches, and flushing.
• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum, or Lactobacillus acidophilusmay help. These products are available at health food stores or in some pharmacies.
• Headache.
• Not hungry.
• Abnormal taste. This is usually reversible.
• Belly pain.
• Tongue discoloration.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Numbness or tingling of hands or feet.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Severe diarrhea, even after medicine is stopped.
• Severe belly pain.
• Severe headache.
• Unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
