Bismuth Subsalicylate, Metronidazole, And Tetracycline (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names

Description and Brand Names

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

US Brand Name

Helidac

Descriptions

Bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline combination is used together with other medicines (eg, H2 -blocker) to treat a stomach infection caused by H. pylori bacteria and duodenal ulcer. This bacteria can cause stomach ulcers if it is not treated. This medicine should not be used for any other infection.

This package contains a combination of 3 different antibiotic medicines. The individual medicines contained in this package should not be used alone or for other purposes than to treat a stomach infection caused by H. pylori and duodenal ulcer.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Tablet, Chewable
Tablet
Capsule

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Because of tetracycline's toxicity, use in children 8 years of age and younger is not recommended. Tetracycline may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth and slow down the growth of bones. Safety and efficacy have not been established in this age group.

Geriatric

Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of Helidac® have not been performed in the geriatric population, no geriatric-specific problems have been documented to date. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving this medicine.

Breastfeeding

Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Acitretin
Amprenavir
Bepridil
Cisapride
Disulfiram
Dronabinol
Dronedarone
Levoketoconazole
Mesoridazine
Methoxyflurane
Pimozide
Saquinavir
Sparfloxacin
Terfenadine
Thioridazine
Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Aceclofenac
Acemetacin
Acenocoumarol
Adagrasib
Alfuzosin
Amiodarone
Amitriptyline
Amoxicillin
Ampicillin
Amtolmetin Guacil
Anagrelide
Apomorphine
Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole Lauroxil
Arsenic Trioxide
Asenapine
Astemizole
Atazanavir
Azithromycin
Bacampicillin
Balsalazide
Bedaquiline
Bexarotene
Bromfenac
Bufexamac
Buprenorphine
Bupropion
Buserelin
Busulfan
Capecitabine
Celecoxib
Ceritinib
Chloroquine
Chlorpromazine
Cholera Vaccine, Live
Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate
Choline Salicylate
Cimetidine
Ciprofloxacin
Citalopram
Clarithromycin
Clofazimine
Clomipramine
Clonixin
Clothiapine
Cloxacillin
Clozapine
Crizotinib
Cyclobenzaprine
Dabrafenib
Dasatinib
Degarelix
Delamanid
Desipramine
Deslorelin
Desogestrel
Deutetrabenazine
Dexibuprofen
Dexketoprofen
Dexmedetomidine
Dicloxacillin
Dienogest
Diflunisal
Digoxin
Dipyrone
Disopyramide
Dofetilide
Dolasetron
Domperidone
Donepezil
Doxepin
Doxifluridine
Droperidol
Drospirenone
Droxicam
Ebastine
Efavirenz
Encorafenib
Entrectinib
Eribulin
Erythromycin
Escitalopram
Estradiol
Ethinyl Estradiol
Ethynodiol
Etodolac
Etofenamate
Etoricoxib
Etretinate
Famotidine
Felbamate
Felbinac
Fenoprofen
Fepradinol
Feprazone
Fexinidazole
Fingolimod
Flecainide
Floctafenine
Fluconazole
Flufenamic Acid
Fluorouracil
Fluoxetine
Flurbiprofen
Formoterol
Foscarnet
Fosphenytoin
Furosemide
Galantamine
Gatifloxacin
Gemifloxacin
Gestodene
Glasdegib
Gonadorelin
Goserelin
Granisetron
Halofantrine
Haloperidol
Histrelin
Hydroquinidine
Hydroxychloroquine
Hydroxyzine
Ibuprofen
Ibutilide
Iloperidone
Imipramine
Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
Isotretinoin
Itraconazole
Ivabradine
Ivosidenib
Ketoconazole
Ketoprofen
Lapatinib
Leuprolide
Levofloxacin
Levonorgestrel
Lithium
Lofexidine
Lornoxicam
Loxoprofen
Lumefantrine
Lumiracoxib
Macimorelin
Magnesium Salicylate
Magnesium Sulfate
Mebendazole
Meclofenamate
Mefenamic Acid
Mefloquine
Meloxicam
Mesalamine
Mestranol
Methadone
Methicillin
Methotrexate
Methotrimeprazine
Mifepristone
Mizolastine
Mobocertinib
Moricizine
Morniflumate
Moxifloxacin
Mycophenolate Mofetil
Mycophenolic Acid
Nabumetone
Nafarelin
Nafcillin
Naproxen
Nelfinavir
Nepafenac
Niflumic Acid
Nilotinib
Nimesulide
Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
Nomegestrol
Norethindrone
Norfloxacin
Norgestimate
Norgestrel
Octreotide
Ofloxacin
Olanzapine
Olsalazine
Ondansetron
Osimertinib
Oxacillin
Oxaliplatin
Oxaprozin
Oxyphenbutazone
Ozanimod
Pacritinib
Paliperidone
Palovarotene
Panobinostat
Papaverine Hydrochloride
Parecoxib
Paroxetine
Pasireotide
Pazopanib
Penicillin G
Penicillin G Benzathine
Penicillin G Procaine
Penicillin V
Pentamidine
Perphenazine
Phenobarbital
Phenprocoumon
Phenylbutazone
Phenyl Salicylate
Phenytoin
Piketoprofen
Pimavanserin
Pipamperone
Piperacillin
Piperaquine
Piroxicam
Pitolisant
Pivampicillin
Ponesimod
Porfimer
Posaconazole
Primidone
Probucol
Procainamide
Prochlorperazine
Proglumetacin
Promethazine
Propafenone
Propyphenazone
Proquazone
Protriptyline
Quetiapine
Quinidine
Quinine
Ranolazine
Relugolix
Ribociclib
Risperidone
Ritonavir
Rofecoxib
Salicylamide
Salicylic Acid
Salsalate
Selpercatinib
Sertindole
Sertraline
Sevoflurane
Siponimod
Sodium Phosphate
Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
Sodium Salicylate
Solifenacin
Sorafenib
Sotalol
Sulfasalazine
Sulindac
Sulpiride
Sultamicillin
Sultopride
Sunitinib
Tacrolimus
Tamoxifen
Tegafur
Telaprevir
Telavancin
Telithromycin
Temocillin
Tenoxicam
Tetrabenazine
Tiaprofenic Acid
Tolfenamic Acid
Tolmetin
Tolterodine
Toremifene
Trazodone
Tretinoin
Trimipramine
Triptorelin
Trolamine Salicylate
Valdecoxib
Vandetanib
Vardenafil
Vemurafenib
Venlafaxine
Vilanterol
Vinflunine
Voclosporin
Voriconazole
Vorinostat
Warfarin
Zotepine
Zuclopenthixol

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
Aluminum Hydroxide
Aluminum Phosphate
Aminolevulinic Acid
Atovaquone
Calcium
Carbamazepine
Cholestyramine
Colestipol
Cyclosporine
Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
Doxycycline
Iron
Magaldrate
Magnesium Carbonate
Magnesium Hydroxide
Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium Trisilicate
Milk Thistle
Omadacycline
Probenecid
Quinine
Sulfinpyrazone
Tamarind

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, change some of the other medicines you take, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Ethanol

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Dairy Food

Proper Use

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Each day's treatment is packaged in a blister card that contains 8 chewable tablets of bismuth subsalicylate, 4 tablets of metronidazole, and 4 capsules of tetracycline.

Pay attention to how to take each medicine. Completely chew and swallow 2 bismuth tablets. Swallow the metronidazole tablets and tetracycline capsules with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Do not chew, crush, or break the metronidazole tablets and tetracycline capsules.

Take this medicine with meals and at bedtime.

Drink extra fluids to help prevent irritation or ulcers in the esophagus.

Your doctor will also prescribe another medicine called an H2 blocker, which will come with its own directions and must be taken along with this medicine.

Avoid taking milk, dairy products, antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium (eg, Maalox®, Tums®), or supplements containing iron, zinc, or sodium bicarbonate. This may keep tetracycline from working properly.

Do not drink milk or eat dairy products with this medicine.

Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using this medicine too soon.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage forms (blister card containing chewable tablets, tablets, and capsules):
- For H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer (taken with an H2 blocker):
  - Adults—One dose (two 262.4 milligrams [mg] of bismuth subsalicylate, one 250 mg of metronidazole, and one 500 mg of tetracycline) 4 times a day, taken with meals and at bedtime, for 14 days.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss more than 4 doses of this medicine, call your doctor right away.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine if you are also using methoxyflurane (Penthrane®) or have used disulfiram (Antabuse®) in the last 2 weeks. Do not drink alcohol and other products containing propylene glycol while you are using this medicine and for at least 3 days after your last dose.

If your condition does not improve or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant, especially during the second and later part of a pregnancy, can harm your unborn baby. Birth control pills may not work as well to prevent pregnancy when used with this medicine. Use an effective form of birth control (eg, condoms, spermicide) to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Metronidazole may cause some people to become dizzy, clumsy, or trouble seeing clearly.

Children or teenagers who have or who are recovering from chickenpox or influenza should not use this medicines unless directed by the child's doctor. If nausea or vomiting occurs after using this medicine, check with the child's doctor right away.

Tetracycline may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. When you begin taking tetracycline:

Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses.
Apply a sunblock product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some patients may require a product with a higher SPF, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
Apply a sunblock lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.
Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

You may still be more sensitive to sunlight or sunlamps for 2 weeks to several months or more after stopping tetracycline. If you have a severe reaction, check with your doctor.

Bismuth subsalicylate may cause your tongue to become a darker color or even black. It may also make your stools (bowel movements) black. This is only temporary and will not hurt you. Your tongue and stools will go back to normal when you stop using this medicine. Ask your doctor about this if you have any concerns.

Check with your doctor right away if you start to have a stiff neck, drowsiness, fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, painful eye movements, or eye sensitivity to light. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called aseptic meningitis.

Check with your doctor right away if you are having burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These could be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.

This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. Avoid people who are sick. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sore throat, sores or ulcers on the skin, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions. Check with your doctor right away if you have feeling of warmth, itching, redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest, or redness of the skin.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests (eg, x-rays).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or non-prescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Black, tarry stools
body aches or pain
burning, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
burning upper stomach pain
chills
cough
difficulty in breathing
ear congestion
fever
headache
loss of appetite
loss of voice
nausea
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
runny or stuffy nose
sneezing
sore throat
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
weight loss

Rare

Bladder pain
bleeding from the rectum
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
bruising
burning, dry, or itching eyes
chest pain or discomfort
confusion
diarrhea
difficult, burning, or painful urination
discharge, excessive tearing
dizziness
fainting
frequent urge to urinate
general feeling of discomfort or illness
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
itching, skin rash
joint pain
large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin
lower back or side pain
muscle aches and pains
nervousness
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
pounding in the ears
redness or other discoloration of the skin
redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue
severe constipation
severe numbness, especially on one side of the face or body
severe sunburn
shivering
slow or fast heartbeat
sore throat
stomach pain
sweating
tooth disorder
trouble sleeping
trouble swallowing
tumor
white patches in the mouth or on the tongue

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
chest pain
clumsiness
decreased vision
joint or muscle pain
red irritated eyes
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
redness or soreness around fingernails or loosening of the fingernails
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
swollen glands
unusual bleeding or bruising

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
difficult, noisy, fast, or deep breathing
hearing loss
increased sweating
irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
loss of consciousness
pale skin
seizures
shakiness and unsteady walk
slow heartbeat
swelling in the legs and ankles
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Belching
bloating
burning or itching around the anus
change in or loss of taste
darkening of the tongue
excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
feeling of fullness
heartburn
indigestion
lack or loss of strength
passing gas
stomach discomfort or upset

Rare

Blemishes on the skin
difficulty in moving
drowsiness
dry mouth
joint swelling or stiffness
pimples

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Portions of this document last updated: March 01, 2024

Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/bismuth-subsalicylate-metronidazole-and-tetracycline-oral-route/description/DRG-20061526

Bismuth Subsalicylate, Metronidazole, And Tetracycline (Oral Route)

Description and Brand Names

US Brand Name

Descriptions

Before Using

Allergies

Pediatric

Geriatric

Breastfeeding

Drug Interactions

Other Interactions

Other Medical Problems

Proper Use

Dosing

Missed Dose

Storage

Precautions

Side Effects

Less common

Rare

Incidence not known

Symptoms of overdose

Less common

Rare

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