Helidac is a prepackaged medication that contains three different antibacterials: bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline. These medications work together to treat peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections. It needs to be taken with an antacid medication (e.g., H2 antagonist).
Stomach ulcers linked to H. pylori infections when taken together with an H2 antagonist medication
Helidac contains three different medications.
Bismuth subsalicylate is an antidiarrheal medication. It works to stop diarrhea and treat stomach irritation by blocking proteins in your body called cyclooxygenase. This slows excessive movements in your stomach and intestines, and lowers the amount of chemicals being made that cause irritation in your stomach.
Metronidazole is an antibiotic. It's not fully known how this medication works but it's thought to affect the DNA of bacteria, causing them to die.
Tetracycline is an antibiotic. It prevents bacteria from making certain proteins, which stops them from multiplying and spreading in your body.
Together, these medications fight H. Pylori (a bacteria that attacks your gut and causes ulcers) by preventing them from growing normally and making proteins needed to survive. Getting rid of the bacteria allows your body to heal the ulcer.
Source:Â FDA
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
difficulty in breathing
ear congestion
headache
loss of appetite
loss of voice
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
runny or stuffy nose
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Rare
Bladder pain
bleeding from the rectum
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
bruising
burning, dry, or itching eyes
chest pain or discomfort
confusion
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
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
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:
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.
Convenient, available in prepackaged blister packs
Treatment only lasts 14 days
Bismuth subsalicylate comes as a chewable tablet.
Successful treatment can prevent future duodenal ulcers
Needs to be taken 4 times a day
Need to take 4 pills per dose
Brand only, so can be expensive
Need to avoid alcohol and sun exposure
Can't be used in children
Each blister packet contains 4 pills that you'll need to take together at the same time. The two pink tablets are chewable. The white tablet and black and yellow capsule are not chewable and should be swallowed whole. Remember "chew-chew-swallow-swallow" is one dose.
You should take one full blister packet four times a day (at mealtimes and bedtime). Take Helidac with a full glass of water. Tetracycline can cause throat irritation and damage if you don't take it with enough water.
Your provider will also prescribe an antacid medication that should be taken along with your Helidac treatment. Take the antacid as prescribed by your provider.
If you take multivitamins, antacids, or supplements containing calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc, make sure to separate them from Helidac. Take Helidac at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after having any dairy products, since they contain calcium. Take Helidac 2 hours before or 6 hours after antacids containing these minerals.
Tetracycline, an ingredient in Helidac, can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid the sun and sunlamps while you're taking Helidac. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen whenever you're in the sun.
Your tongue and stools might darken or turn black while taking Helidac. This is caused by bismuth subsalicylate. It's not dangerous and typically goes away on its own a few days after you stop taking the medication.
Continue to take Helidac for the entire 14 days of treatment. Don't stop taking it early, even if you start to feel better. This can make your infection come back and be harder to treat.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Helidac and for 3 days after stopping, since it can cause you to feel very sick.
If you're taking birth control pills, use a back-up method while taking Helidac since it can cause your birth control to not work as well.
Helidac can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Helidac contains metronidazole, which has been shown to cause cancer in mice and rats. It's unknown whether metronidazole can cause cancer in humans. If you are concerned about this, speak to your healthcare provider.
Risk factors: Currently pregnant | Women of childbearing age | Taking high doses of tetracycline
Helidac can cause harm to unborn babies when taken during pregnancy. Tetracycline, an ingredient in Helidac, might cause permanent tooth discoloration and affect bone development. Additionally, when taken at high doses, tetracycline might raise the risk of serious liver damage in pregnant mothers. There have also been reports of metronidazole, another ingredient in Helidac, causing harm to unborn babies when used during pregnancy. If you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your provider about the safest treatment option.
Rarely, the medications in Helidac have caused seizures, swelling of the brain, nerve pain, headache, blurred vision, and brain damage. Some people experience difficulty with walking straight, dizziness, trouble speaking, or uncontrolled body movements. These problems will usually go away within days to weeks of stopping Helidac. Seek medical help if you experience any of these side effects while taking this medication.
Helidac can cause severe skin rashes resulting in serious injury or even hospitalization. Seek medical attention right away if you suddenly develop a fever, burning eyes, skin pain, or red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling.
Risk factors: Being in the sun for a long period of time | Use of tanning beds
Helidac can raise your skin's sensitivity to sunlight and make you more likely to get a sunburn or rash. While taking this medication, make sure to use sunblock and wear protective clothing. Avoid using tanning salons since artificial light can cause similar skin damage. If you develop skin redness or get a rash, stop taking this medication right away and talk to your healthcare provider.
Helidac contains bismuth subsalicylate, which can cause your stool to become black-colored and your tongue to turn dark. These side effects aren't harmful and usually go away on their own a few days after stopping the medication. However, if you get tarry stools or you see blood in your stool, tell your provider right away.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
14 day | 1 package | $962.38 | $962.38 |
Each dose consists of 4 pills: 2 chewable tablets (525 mg total) of bismuth subsalicylate, 1 tablet (250 mg) of metronidazole, and 1 capsule (500 mg) of tetracycline. Take 1 dose by mouth 4 times a day (with meals and at bedtime) for 14 days.
Your provider will also prescribe a H2 antagonist to treat your condition, so take it as directed.
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.
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.
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.
Taken disulfiram (Antabuse) within the last 2 weeks
Drink alcohol during Helidac treatment or within 3 days of stopping
Cockayne syndrome (a rare genetic condition that affects your head size)
Severe kidney problems
Aspirin or salicylate allergy
Stomach ulcers linked to H. pylori infections when taken together with an H2 antagonist medication
Duodenal (gut) ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) stomach infection in adults
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