Pylera

Bismuth Subcitrate, Metronidazole, and Tetracycline, also known and sold under the trade name of Pylera, is a combination which includes three products.

Bismuth Subcitrate – often used to treat upset stomach, but in this combination, it is used because of its effect to stop the growth process of bacteria.

Metronidazole and Tetracycline, both are antibiotics, used to treat bacterial infections, by stopping the growth process of bacteria. 

This combination is used to treat stomach ulcers, often caused by bacteria H, pylori, and to help prevent stomach ulcers from returning. This combination is available in the form of a capsule.

Your doctor will inform you of what you need to know before using Pylera. 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 type of food, dye, fabric and etc.

Pediatric – Proper studies done have shown that because of tetracycline’s toxicity, this medication is not recommended to be used in children younger than 8 years of age.

For other age groups, there are no studies that that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used within children. This medication could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects clearly outweigh the potential risks.

Geriatric – Proper studies done have confirmed that this medication is safe to be sued within geriatric patients. However, it is not recommended to be used within geriatric patients who suffer from kidney or liver problems and diseases. This medication could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects clearly outweigh the potential risks.

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 this medication poses a risk to the fetus when used during pregnancy.

Because of this, it is not recommended to be used during pregnancy. However, in life-threatening cases, if the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks, this medication could be used.

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 in nursing mothers. This medication could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects clearly 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 could use a specific combination, including two or more medications, to treat your condition, 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 the 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 dairy food, due to the increased risk of unwanted side effects to occur.

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 – blood problems, seizures, fungal infections, kidney or liver disease.

To use Pylera properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. This medication is available in the form of a capsule, for oral use. This medication is always taken in a combination with omeprazole.

Take the capsule whole. Do not crush, break or chew the capsule. The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your weight, condition and the prognosis of the treatment.

The usual dose is 3 capsules, 4 times a day, always after a meal and before bedtime. In order to get the most beneficial effects from its use, it is very important to take this medication regularly.

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up. However, if the time for the next one is near, wait and take the next dose.

This medication is harmful in case of an overdose. If you suspect an overdose, contact the doctor right away for further directions.

Before using Pylera, 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 necessary.

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 allergic 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.

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.

The doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in nursing mothers.

This medication is not recommended to be used in children younger than 8 years of age, due to the toxicity of Tetracycline. This medication is not recommended to be used within geriatric patients who suffer from kidney or liver problems.

Tetracycline may cause a temporary discoloring of the teeth. Tetracycline may increase your sensitivity to the sun.

Avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun, and make sure to always wear protective clothing and sun cream when exposed to the sun.

This medication may cause dizziness to occur. Avoid driving and any other activities that require alertness during the treatment.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Pylera. 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 – nausea, vomiting, headache, upset stomach, stomach/abdominal pain, diarrhea, change in taste, or dizziness.

These are common side effects that are not considered as serious. But, if any of these side effects persists or worsens, inform the doctor right away.

Serious side effects – numbness/tingling of the hands/legs, discolored teeth, mood changes, difficult/painful swelling, heartburn, fast/pounding heartbeat, ringing in the ears, increased amount of urine, easy bruising/bleeding, persistent nausea/vomiting, seizures, and chest pain.

These are serious side effects whose presence must be reported to the doctor right away. Tetracycline may cause intracranial hypertension – an increase of the pressure in the skull.

Contact the doctor right away if you notice any of the following symptoms – headache, vision changes, and persistent vomiting/nausea.

A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is not common, but if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor right away – skin rash, itching/swelling of the face/tongue/hands/feet, trouble breathing, or severe dizziness.