TETRACYCLINE/METRONIDAZOLE/BISMUTH SUBSALICYLATE (TCN/M/B) ORAL (Helidac) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

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GENERIC NAME: TETRACYCLINE/METRONIDAZOLE/BISMUTH SUBSALICYLATE (TCN/M/B) ORAL (teh-truh-SYE-kleen/meh-troh-NID-uh-zole/BIZZ-muth sub-sal-ISS-ih-late)

BRAND NAME(S): Helidac

USES: This medication is used to treat or prevent stomach ulcers.

HOW TO USE: This product is used in combination with an acid blocker prescribed by your doctor. It's use is important because it helps the TCN/M/B work. Use the acid blocker exactly as directed. TCN/M/B comes as a package with 14 separate dosing cards. Each card is for one day (4 doses). There are 4 doses per day, hence 4 sections to each card. Each dose includes 4 pills: 2 round pink tablets to be chewed and swallowed, 1 white round tablet and one orange/white capsule to swallow. All 4 pills (1 dose) must be taken 4 times per day to work properly. REMEMBER: chew-chew- swallow-swallow is one dose. Take TCN/M/B at mealtimes and bedtime for 14 days with a full glass (8 oz or 240 ml) of water unless your doctor directs you otherwise. Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking this drug. Take this medication 2-3 hours before or after taking any products containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium. Some examples include quinapril, certain forms of didanosine (e.g. chewable/dispersible buffered tablets or pediatric oral solution), vitamins/minerals, and antacids. Dairy products (e.g., milk, yogurt), calcium-enriched juice, sucralfate, iron, and zinc are also included. These products bind with the tetracycline part of this combination medicine preventing its full absorption. Continue to take this medication, plus your acid blocker, until all the medication is gone. Stopping the medication too early may allow the bacteria to continue to grow and may cause another ulcer in the future.

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, dizziness, painful swallowing, or painful/frequent urination may occur. Inform your doctor if any of these effects persist. Your tongue (and possibly your stools) will appear dark in color while taking this medication. This is harmless and the effect will disappear when you stop the medication. Notify your prescriber if any of the following effects occur: headache, loss of balance, blurred vision, sore mouth or throat, yeast infection (women), numbness or tingling of hands or feet, rectal pain, vomiting, weakness, ringing of the ears, fever, easy bruising. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience: severe abdominal (stomach area) pain. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.