Pylera

Generic Name: bismuth subcitrate potassium, metronidazole, and tetracycline (BIZ muth sub SIT rate poe TASS ee um, MET roe NYE da zole, TET ra SYE kleen)

What is Pylera?

Bismuth subcitrate potassium is a mineral.

Metronidazole and tetracycline are antibiotics that fight bacteria in the body.

Pylera is used to treat stomach ulcer with Helicobacter pylori infection. H. pylori is a type of bacteria that lives in the lining of the stomach or duodenum. Pylera is usually used together with omeprazole (Prilosec).

Pylera may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information know about Pylera

Do not use Pylera if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby, including permanent discoloration of the teeth later in life. Tetracycline can make birth control pills less effective. Use a second method of birth control while you are using this Pylera to keep from getting pregnant. Tetracycline passes into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing baby. Do not take Pylera without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give Pylera to a child. Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Pylera and for at least 1 day after you stop taking it. You may have unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting.

Check the labels of any medicines or food products you use to make sure they do not contain alcohol.

Avoid taking Pylera with milk or other dairy products. Also avoid taking iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, or antacids. These products can make it harder for your body to absorb tetracycline.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Before taking Pylera

You should not use Pylera if you are allergic to bismuth subcitrate potassium, metronidazole, or tetracycline, or if you have certain conditions. Be sure your doctor knows if you have:

if you are pregnant; or

if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Before using Pylera, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or

nerve disorders.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category D. Pylera can cause harm to an unborn baby, including permanent discoloration of the teeth later in life. Do not use tetracycline without your doctor’s consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Tetracycline can make birth control pills less effective. Use a non-hormonal method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while you are taking tetracycline. Metronidazole and tetracycline can pass into breast milk and may cause harm to a nursing baby. Tetracycline can affect bone and tooth development in a nursing infant. Do not take Pylera without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Pylera?

Take Pylera exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Pylera is usually given 4 times per day, after meals and at bedtime. The omeprazole taken with Pylera is usually given twice per day, after the morning and the evening meal. The usual course of treatment with this combination of medicines is 10 days. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Take Pylera with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Swallow the capsule whole.

Pylera may cause your tongue to become darker in color. It may also cause your stools to appear black in color. These are temporary and harmless side effects of this medication.

Pylera can interfere with X-ray tests of your stomach or intestines. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking Pylera.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking tetracycline. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you miss more than 4 doses, call your doctor for instructions.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a Pylera overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while taking Pylera?

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Pylera and for at least 1 day after you stop taking it. You may have unpleasant side effects such as fast heartbeats, warmth or redness under your skin, tingly feeling, nausea, and vomiting.

Check the labels of any medicines or food products you use to make sure they do not contain alcohol.

Avoid taking Pylera with milk or other dairy products. Also avoid taking iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, or antacids. These products can make it harder for your body to absorb tetracycline.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Tetracycline can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

What are the possible side effects of Pylera?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

seizures (convulsions);

numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;

burning or irritation in your throat, chest, or upper stomach;

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or

nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

stomach pain;

nausea, upset stomach;

headache;

dizziness;

white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

metallic taste in your mouth; or

vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Pylera?

The following drugs can interact with Pylera. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

cimetidine (Tagamet);

lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others);

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

seizure medication such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or

a penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, others), penicillin (BeePen-VK, Pen-Vee K, Veetids, others), dicloxacillin (Dynapen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), oxacillin (Bactocill), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Pylera. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.