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In this Article

• What is bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Helidac)?
• What are the possible side effects of bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Helidac)?
• What is the most important information I should know about bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Helidac)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Helidac)?
• How should I take bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Helidac)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Helidac)?
• What happens if I overdose (Helidac)?
• What should I avoid while taking bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Helidac)?
• What other drugs will affect bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Helidac)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Helidac)?

Skip the missed dose and take your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If more than 4 doses in a row have been missed, contact your doctor.

What happens if I overdose (Helidac)?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, slow breathing, ringing in the ears, fever, a fast heartbeat, confusion, numbness or tingling, and seizures.

What should I avoid while taking bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Helidac)?

Avoid taking dairy products, multivitamins, iron supplements, antacids, and laxatives within 2 hours of taking tetracycline. These products decrease the effectiveness of tetracycline.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Tetracycline may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Do not drink alcohol or take alcohol-containing products while taking this medication and for 1 day after stopping therapy, unless approved by your doctor. Alcohol and metronidazole may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, headache, and flushing.

What other drugs will affect bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline (Helidac)?

Do not take the following drugs within 2 hours of taking bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline because they will decrease the effectiveness of tetracycline:

• cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
• antacids containing aluminum or magnesium such as Tums and Rolaids;
• minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium, which are found in dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.) and over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements.

Before taking bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines

• anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin). This medicine may have an increased effect when taken with bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline, and bleeding could result.
• penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics. These may have a decreased effect and an infection could worsen.
• birth control pills. Their effectiveness may be decreased, resulting in pregnancy.
• disulfiram (Antabuse). A two week period should elapse between therapy with disulfiram and metronidazole.
• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB). This medication may increase the effects of metronidazole leading to side effects.
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others). Metronidazole may increase the effects of lithium leading to side effects.
• phenytoin (Dilantin) or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton). These medications may make metronidazole ineffective.
• diabetes medicines, aspirin, probenecid (Benemid), and sulfinpyrazone. These medicines may be affected by bismuth subsalicylate.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline. Talk to your doctor before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicine.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about bismuth subsalicylate, metronidazole, and tetracycline written for health professionals that you may read.

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.

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