• Brand Names: U.S.: Helidac®;PyleraT
• Pharmacologic Category: Antibiotic, Miscellaneous;Antibiotic, Tetracycline Derivative;Antidiarrheal

• It is used to stop or treat GI (gastrointestinal) ulcers caused by infection.
• Bismuth, metronidazole, and tetracycline works to harm the bacteria and fight the infection.

How to take

• All products:
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Use as you have been told, even if you are feeling better.
• Take with meals and at bedtime.
• Take with a full glass of water.
• Helidac®:
• Chew bismuth tablets.
• Swallow metronidazole tablets and tetracycline capsules whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• PyleraT:
• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

Missed Dose

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop this drug. Talk with the doctor.

Storage

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from water. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

Warnings

• Unsafe side effects may happen. This drug cannot be taken while you are taking some other drugs. Check all the drugs you are taking with your doctor.

Avoid

• Do not give to a child. Talk with your doctor.
• If you have an allergy to bismuth, metronidazole, salicylates, tetracycline, or any other part of this drug.
• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs you had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding.

Precautions

• If you are taking a blood thinner, have your blood work checked. Talk with your doctor.
• Check all drugs you are taking with your doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Do not take dairy products, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, multivitamins with minerals, colestipol, cholestyramine, didanosine, or antacids within 2 hours of this drug.
• Avoid beer, wine, or mixed drinks. Do not take alcohol for at least 24 hours after the last dose. Drinking alcohol or products that have alcohol, such as cough syrup, may cause cramps, upset stomach, headaches, and flushing.
• You may get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.
• Use birth control that you can trust to stop pregnancy while taking this drug.

Side Effects

• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals, good mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Loose stools. Yogurt or probiotics may help. You may get these products at health food stores or in some pharmacies.
• Headache.
• Not hungry.
• Bad taste in your mouth. This most often goes back to normal.
• Belly pain.
• Change in tongue color.

Contact a healthcare provider

• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• Signs of a very bad reaction to the drug. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
• Very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Very loose stools, even after drug is stopped.
• Very bad belly pain.
• Very bad headache.
• Any bruising or bleeding.
• Any rash.
• Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse.

General Statements

• If you have a very bad allergy, wear an allergy ID at all times.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.

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