Before using Helidac, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.
Before the decision to start the treatment with this medication is made, it is essential to get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as, about the potential side effects and risks. For the decision to be made, the beneficial effects must outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together, will have to make. During the consultations, it is important to inform the doctor about:
Allergies
Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reactions to any specific kind of food, dye, fabric and etc.
Pediatric
There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within pediatric patients. This medication is not recommended to be used within children. It should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
Geriatric patients
There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within geriatric patients. However, up to this day, there are no records of any age-connected problems when this medication has been used within geriatric patients. This medication should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks. It should be used with extra caution because of the increased presence of kidney and heart problems within the elderly.
Pregnancy
Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. Proper studies done have confirmed that there is a risk to the fetus when this medication is used during pregnancy. However, it could be used in life-threatening conditions if the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
Breastfeeding
Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers. It is unknown if it is extracted in the milk, or how would it affect the infant. It should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
Drug interactions
Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with others, due to the possibility that certain interactions could occur. However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a certain type of a combination, including two or more medications, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition.
Other interactions
Certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with specific type of food, tobacco and alcohol. Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet, and discontinue your use of tobacco and/or alcohol during the treatment. For example, this medication is not recommended to be used in a combination with diary food.
Other medical problems
Inform the doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the moment. Especially, inform the doctor if there are any of the following conditions present – allergy to aspirin or any other salicylates, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, brain disease, or blood problems.
Proper usage of Helidac requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders.
This medication is available in the forms of a tablet, a chewable tablet and a capsule. If you are using the form of a tablet or a capsule, take the tablet or the capsule whole. Do not chew, break or crush the tablet or the capsule. If you are using the chewable tablet, make sure to chew the tablet a few minutes in the mouth.
This medication is usually taken in a combination with another medicine known as histamine H2 receptor antagonist. The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your condition and the prognosis of the treatment. The usual dose for chewable tablets is – two tablets of Bismuth Subsalicylate, two tablets of Metronidazole and two tablets of Tetracycline, daily.
Take each two tablets separately. In order to get the most beneficial effects from its use, remember to take each dose regularly. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up. This medication is harmful in case of an overdose.
If you suspect an overdose, contact the doctor right away.
Before using Helidac, there are some precautions you must take.
Visit your doctor regularly at your scheduled appointments, so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if needed. These adjustments may refer to the dose – e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease the dose, or to the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue the treatment, if there are any serious side effects present that would worsen your condition, or if your condition does not improve.
Inform the doctor about any allergies reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because this medication may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur.
Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future.
This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy, due to the studies that confirm its risk to the fetus. The doctor will probably advise you to start using a proven form of birth control to help prevent pregnancy during the treatment.
Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding.
This medication is not recommended to be used within nursing mothers, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within nursing mothers. This medication is not recommended to be used in a combination with dairy products, because of their presence the Tetracycline might not have an effect.
This product may cause dizziness to appear. Avoid driving and any other activities that require alertness during the treatment. Tetracycline may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Make sure to wear protective clothing and sun cream always when being exposed to the sun.
As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Helidac.
Along with its expected beneficial effects, there are potential side effects that could occur. These side effects do not occur within all patients, also they could be mild or more serious. However, it is essential to get informed about the potential side effects so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor as soon as possible.
Common side effects
These are common side effects which are not considered as serious side effects.
However, if their presence persists or worsens, inform the doctor right away.
Serious side effects
- seizures,
- fainting,
- heart rhythm problems,
- irritation of the tongue/mouth,
- joint pain/swelling,
- trouble with swallowing and etc.
These are considered as serious side effects, whose presence must be reported to the doctor right away.
A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is not common, but if you notice any of the following symptoms inform the doctor as soon as possible:
- skin rash,
- itching/swelling of the face/tongue/hands/feet,
- trouble breathing,
- severe dizziness.
