Type of medicine: antiulcer
Generic and brand names: bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline, oral; Helidac
This treatment consists of 3 different medicines taken by mouth to treat a stomach ulcer caused by Helicobacter pylori. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a fourth medicine to be taken also.
It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Children and teenagers who have or are recovering from chickenpox or the flu should not take this medicine.
This medicine may make birth control pills less effective. Talk to your healthcare provider if you need birth control.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes.
Each dose includes 3 tablets and 1 capsule: 2 pink chewable tablets (bismuth subsalicylate), 1Â white tablet (metronidazole), and 1Â pale orange and white capsule (tetracycline). Take this dose 4 times a day, with meals and at bedtime. First, chew and swallow the 2 pink tablets. Then swallow the white tablet and the pale orange and white capsule whole. Do not chew the white tablet or the capsule. Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Your healthcare provider usually prescribes a fourth medicine to reduce the acid in your stomach and help heal your ulcer. Take all of the medicines exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes until they are gone.
Milk products, iron and vitamin supplements, and certain medicines may keep this medicine from being absorbed by your body. Do not use these products for 2 hours before or after you take this medicine.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fast deep breathing, fever, tiredness, fast heartbeat, ringing in the ears, confusion, numbness, tingling, trouble walking, loss of balance, seizures.
Drink plenty of fluids each day to reduce the risk of irritating your esophagus (food pipe to the stomach).
Take this medicine for the full time prescribed, even if you start to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely gone. If you don’t take all of the medicine, the ulcer may come back.
Taking aspirin while taking these medicines, may cause ringing in your ears. If this happens, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine and for at least 1 day after stopping the medicine.
Do not take multivitamins, iron supplements, antacids, laxatives, and dairy products within 2 hours of taking this medicine.
This treatment may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sun lamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.
This medicine may cause a temporary darkening of your tongue and stool. This is harmless.
This medicine is usually not given to infants or children younger than 8 years old because it can cause problems with tooth development.
If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Ringing in your ears, seizures, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue, severe confusion, sudden vision changes, severe headache, numbness or tingling in hands or feet.
Other: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dizziness, rectal discomfort, constipation, trouble sleeping, dark tongue or stools, headache, metallic taste in mouth.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
Do not drink milk or eat milk products for 2 hours before or after you take this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
