bismuth subcitrate potassium, metronidazole, and tetracycline

What is the most important information I should know about this medicine?

Metronidazole has caused cancer in animal studies. It is not known whether this would occur in humans taking Pylera.

What is bismuth subcitrate potassium, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Pylera)?

Bismuth subcitrate potassium, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Pylera) is a combination medicine used to treat peptic ulcer (duodenal ulcer) with Helicobacter pylori infection. Pylera is usually given together with omeprazole (Prilosec).

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Pylera?

• you have severe kidney disease;
• you drink alcohol daily;
• you regularly consume foods or medicines that contain propylene glycol;
• you took disulfiram (Antabuse) within the past 14 days; or
• you also use methoxyflurane.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• Cockayne syndrome (a rare genetic disorder);
• a blood cell disorder; or
• any type of infection.

Metronidazole has caused cancer in animal studies. It is not known whether this would occur in humans taking Pylera. Ask your doctor about your risk.

How should I take Pylera?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Pylera is usually taken after meals and at bedtime. If you also take omeprazole (Prilosec), take it after your morning and evening meals.

Keep using this medicine even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses could make your infection resistant to medication. Pylera will not treat a viral infection (flu or a common cold).

Bismuth can affect the results of certain x-rays or medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Pylera.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking Pylera?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea. Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

What are the possible side effects of Pylera?

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);
• dizziness, problems with speech or coordination;
• fever, neck stiffness, increased sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting.
• a seizure;
• vaginal itching or discharge;
• numbness or tingling in your arms and legs; or
• increased pressure inside the skull --severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes.

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

Common side effects may include:

• diarrhea or other changes in your stools;
• nausea; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Pylera?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect Pylera, especially:

• cimetidine;
• an antidepressant;
• asthma medication;
• busulfan or other cancer medicine;
• heart or blood pressure medication;
• lithium or other antipsychotic medicine;
• medicine to treat malaria, HIV, or other infection;
• a blood thinner --warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or
• seizure medicine --phenytoin or phenobarbital.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect Pylera. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about bismuth subcitrate potassium, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Pylera).

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 9/14/2021.