 Using bismuth subcitrate, metronidazole, tetracycline
Dear Patient,
Your health care provider has prescribed a combination of bismuth subcitrate, metronidazole, and tetracycline to treat your H. Pylori infection–associated duodenal ulcer disease. This medication combines an antimicrobial with two antibiotics to help eradicate H. Pylori from your GI tract. The brand name of this medication is Pylera.
How you’ll take Pylera
You'll take Pylera four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. Each dose will include three capsules. Take the capsules with 8 ounces of water. You’ll also be taking omeprazole twice a day, after breakfast and dinner. You'll take these medications for a treatment course of 10 days.
What to do if you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, just continue your regular dosing until all of your capsules are gone. Don't double up doses; don't take more than four doses each day. If you miss more than four doses, consult your health care provider.
What to do about side effects
Notify your health care provider if you experience side effects to this medication.
Common: headache, altered taste, nausea, diarrhea, stool changes (including dark stools), darkening of the tongue, indigestion.
Less common: rash, flulike symptoms, chest pain, palpitations, dizziness.
What you must know about other medications
The effectiveness of this medication may be changed if it's combined with certain other medications. Tell all of your health care providers that you're taking this medication. If you're using oral contraceptives, the effectiveness of the contraceptive may be decreased; use an alternate form of contraception during treatment.
Special directions
- Don't drink alcohol while taking this medication and for at least one day after finishing the medication.
- Take the medication four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. Be sure to take the medication with a full glass of water.
- You'll also need to take omeprazole twice a day to get the full effect of the medication.
- Use an alternate method of contraception if you're using oral contraceptives.
- Avoid exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet light; use a sunscreen or cover up if you can't avoid sun exposure.
Keep in mind
- Your tongue may become dark temporarily; its color will return to normal after the medication is finished.
- Your stools may appear dark to black; this is a medication effect that will stop when the medication is finished.
- It isn't known how this medication would affect an unborn baby. If you wish to become pregnant or are pregnant, consult your health care provider.
- It isn't known how this medication could affect a breast-fed baby. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects on an infant, you should use another method of feeding the baby while you're taking this medication.
- Report severe vomiting, diarrhea, changes in color of urine.
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