H. Pylori - what is current treatment?

Lizalee · 03-02-2008, 01:18 PM

Hi, I had my pre-surgery consultation and was found to have H. Pylori by breath test (no symptoms). I was given a prescription to fill (no other info). My pharmacist said they have to order the med because "it's an older med...not used very much anymore." Now I'm wondering what is the current recommended treatment. Anybody been treated lately? What where you given? My prescription is for Pylera, a combination of two antibiotics and bismuth. Anybody have any thoughts?

ajoneen · 03-02-2008, 04:48 PM

Pylera

formerly Helizide Generic Name: biskalcitrate potassium, metronidazole and tetracycline
Date of Approval: September 28, 2006
Company: Axcan Pharma Inc.

Each Pylera capsule contains biskalcitrate potassium (140 mg), metronidazole (125 mg) and tetracycline hydrochloride (125 mg). The U.S. patent on the Pylera capsule technology expires in December 2018.
Pylera Information from Drugs.com

Treatment

Treatment for H. pylori infection is always part of a multiple-treatment strategy to treat the disorder caused by the infection.
Antibiotics
Your doctor will most likely prescribe a 14-day regimen of two antibiotics to eradicate H. pylori bacteria. Common combinations are:

Clarithromycin (Biaxin) and amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)
Metronidazole (Flagyl) and amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)
Metronidazole (Flagyl) and tetracycline (Sumycin)

It's important to complete the full course of prescribed antibiotics as directed by your physician, even when you're feeling better. Failure to follow the treatment guidelines may not completely eradicate the infection and increases your risk of antibiotic-resistant strains of H. pylori.
H. pylori infection: Treatment - MayoClinic.com

I googled H. pylori and found these.

As you can see the med is not old it was approved in 2006 and doesn't go off patent until 2018. I think your pharmacist just didn't have it in stock and said the first thing that came to his head.
drug has website Axcan Pharma Inc. - Pylera Home Page

It sounds like it was caught in time and hasn't caused you any problems. Good luck.

travellegal · 03-02-2008, 08:25 PM

I was found to have h pylori and went through the treatment 6 months ago. Insurance finally approved me Thursday and I awaiting surgery. The nurse told me 3 months ago that once you have been diagnosed and treated for the problem you will always show a false positive. Has anyone heard that?

amsderb · 03-02-2008, 09:31 PM

They told me that too. I go for blood test this week. You develop antiboddies against it, so once you've been treated it still shows the antiboddies...kind of like with Rubella measles...ok, I'm not a DR. but that is my understanding. :) P. S. Very common she said too????

Lizalee · 03-04-2008, 07:01 AM

Thanks, Agoneen, for looking up the info. I had found that too...but was wondering if there indeed was something "newer." I think you're right...my pharmacist really wasn't up do date OR since my band surgeon is not in this city, perhaps the local docs aren't using this drug for whatever reason.

I'm taking it now...retails, by the way, for $279, plus you have to buy 20 caps of Prilosec. Ouch. Good thing insurance covers a large portion. I'll be glad when the 10 days are up, as it does have it's unpleasant side effects (stomach upset--waiting for the diarrhea, yeast infection, etc.)

travellegal · 03-04-2008, 10:42 AM

Hang in there. The side effects are gross but you'll get through it.

Turler · 03-04-2008, 08:21 PM

Whatever you do, take ALL of the medicine! I had to do it too, and it's awful I know. The awful taste in my mouth was the worst part of it for me. Hang in there, you can do it!

Oregondaisy · 03-04-2008, 09:56 PM

Get the Pepto Bismall tablets not the liquid. I had it and I did have symptoms. I had a horrible pain in my right side that went all through my body into my back. It would wake me up from a dead sleep wanting to go to the ER.

I can't remember which anti biotic I took, plus prilosec and pepto bismall tablets. You will always test positive for it now.

I had to give a stool sample at my last physical to make sure it's gone. It shows up on a blood test that I have it, but the stool sample said it's gone. Weird stuff. It causes ulcers. It's caused from bacteria. You can get it from eating an apple or something like that if you don't wash it.

Believe me, I never want that back again.

Lizalee · 03-06-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turler

Whatever you do, take ALL of the medicine! I had to do it too, and it's awful I know. The awful taste in my mouth was the worst part of it for me. Hang in there, you can do it!

Thanks Turler, that's good advice. I am! It sure isn't pleasant...constant gut-ache.

Turler · 03-06-2008, 07:29 PM

Your welcome! Let me know how you're doing! The biggest concern is that most people don't want to finish the med (because of side effects) so you never really get healed. I'm sure your pharmacist and doctor have already stressed this with you, but I'm a nurse and well, I just have to say it too!! :)

NikkiD · 03-07-2008, 05:19 PM

I had this also. I took a prevpac..biaxin, amoxicllian and previcid. My doc said if i wasn't having any syptoms there was no need to go any further with it. He did tell me it can cause ulcers and lead to stomach cancer so make sure you finish the course of treatment.

Turler · 03-07-2008, 10:08 PM

That is correct.

kathystrick · 03-12-2008, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikkiD

I had this also. I took a prevpac..biaxin, amoxicllian and previcid. My doc said if i wasn't having any syptoms there was no need to go any further with it. He did tell me it can cause ulcers and lead to stomach cancer so make sure you finish the course of treatment.

Just got my diagnosis today and was also prescribed Prevpac. Thank goodness for insurance. Prevpac is $404 retail.

NikkiD · 03-12-2008, 08:48 PM

I had to pay $245 or around that even with my insurance...very expensive.

Anyalee · 03-12-2008, 08:55 PM

I had to take antibiotics for 2 weeks and antacids for 8 weeks. I am almost done. They started me on the treatment after 6 weeks after the surgery. My insurance made the medication pretty darn cheap. The antacid was a generic for prevacid that was WAY cheaper than the OTC.

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