Pronunciation: BIZ-muth sub-SIT-rate/MET-roe-NYE-da-zole/TET-ra-SYE-kleen
Generic Name: Bismuth Subcitrate/Metronidazole/Tetracycline
Brand Name: Pylera
Pylera should only be used for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections associated with ulcers. Do not use Pylera to treat other conditions.
Pylera is used for:
Treating H. pylori infections associated with ulcers. It is used along with certain proton pump inhibitors (eg, omeprazole).
Pylera is an antimicrobial combination. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.
Do NOT use Pylera if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Pylera
- you are pregnant or breast-feeding
- you have kidney or liver problems
- you are taking acitretin, busulfan, an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine), an HIV protease inhibitor oral solution (eg, amprenavir), isotretinoin, methoxyflurane, a penicillin antibiotic (eg, amoxicillin), ranolazine, or disulfiram, or if you have taken disulfiram within the past 14 days
- you drink alcohol
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Pylera:
Some medical conditions may interact with Pylera. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of blood problems (eg, anemia, low white blood cell levels, unusual bleeding or bruising)
- if you have a seizure disorder (eg, epilepsy) or other nerve or brain problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Pylera. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Acitretin or isotretinoin because the risk of high pressure in the brain may be increased
- Methoxyflurane because serious, even fatal kidney problems may occur
- Lithium because increased lithium blood levels and lithium toxicity could occur
- Amiodarone, busulfan, disulfiram, or HIV protease inhibitor oral solutions (eg, amprenavir) because irregular heartbeat; serious liver, lung, or bladder problems; severe mood or mental problems; or stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and flushing may occur
- Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), cimetidine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate) because they may decrease Pylera's effectiveness
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), cyclosporine, digoxin, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, sirolimus), methotrexate, ranolazine, or valproic acid because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Pylera
- Atovaquone, hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills, patches), penicillin antibiotics (eg, amoxicillin ), or sulfinpyrazone because their effectiveness may be decreased by Pylera
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Pylera may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Pylera:
Use Pylera as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take your dose of Pylera 4 times a day, after meals and at bedtime, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Swallow Pylera whole. Take it with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).
- Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Pylera is recommended. Be sure to do this especially with the bedtime dose. Check with your doctor for instructions.
- Do not take an antacid that has aluminum, calcium, or magnesium or any product that has iron or zinc in it within 2 hours of Pylera.
- Do not eat or drink dairy products within 2 hours of Pylera.
- To clear up your infection completely, take Pylera for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
- If you miss a dose of Pylera, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If you miss more than 4 doses of Pylera, contact your doctor.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Pylera.
Important safety information:
- Pylera may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Pylera with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do not drink alcohol while you are using Pylera and for at least 1 day after you have stopped taking Pylera. Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and flushing may occur.
- Pylera combination should only be used to treat H. pylori infections associated with ulcers. It is not effective for treating viral infections (eg, the common cold).
- Be sure to use Pylera for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. This could cause your ulcer to recur.
- Long-term or repeated use of Pylera may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
- Some patients have developed persistent nerve problems (peripheral neuropathy) after taking Pylera for a long period of time. Tell your doctor right away if you develop signs of nerve problems (eg, numbness; tingling; burning of the arms, hands, legs, feet). Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, typhoid) while you are taking Pylera. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.
- Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Pylera. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
- Pylera may temporarily discolor or darken the tongue or stools. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
- Pylera may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Pylera. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Pylera may interfere with certain lab tests, including x-ray, blood, liver function, and triglyceride tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Pylera.
- Use Pylera with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Pylera should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. Use of tetracycline in CHILDREN younger than 8 years old may cause serious tooth problems, including softening of the tooth enamel and permanent yellow, gray, or brown discoloration of the teeth.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Pylera if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Pylera is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Pylera.
Possible side effects of Pylera:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; darkening of the tongue and black stools; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; indigestion; loss of appetite; metallic taste; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, hairy tongue or sore tongue; bloody stools; blurred vision, vision loss, or other vision changes; dark urine; depression; increased or decreased urination; loss of coordination; numbness, tingling, or burning of the arms, hands, legs, or feet; pale stools; red, swollen, peeling, or blistered skin; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; severe stomach pain/cramps; signs of infection (eg, fever, chills, or persistent sore throat); sore mouth; speech problems; stiff neck; unusual bruising or bleeding; vaginal odor or discharge; white patches in the mouth or on the tongue; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Pylera side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Pylera:
Store Pylera at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Pylera out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Pylera, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Pylera is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Pylera. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Pylera resources
- Pylera Side Effects (in more detail)
- Pylera Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Pylera Drug Interactions
- Pylera Support Group
- 8 Reviews for Pylera - Add your own review/rating
- Pylera Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Pylera Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Pylera Consumer Overview
Compare Pylera with other medications
- Helicobacter Pylori Infection
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