HeliClear (discontinued in the UK - May 2007)

Health and Nutrition > Medicines > H



How does it work?

HeliClear contains a combination of three different medicines; Zoton capsules (containing the active ingredient lansoprazole), Klaricid tablets (containing the active ingredient clarithromycin) and amoxicillin capsules. This combination of medicines is taken as a one or two week course to eradicate a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) from the gut. H pylori bacteria are associated with most stomach and duodenal ulcers. Eradicating the bacteria with this course of medicines helps to heal duodenal ulcers and prevent them coming back.

Lansoprazole is a type of medicine called a proton pump inhibitor. Proton pumps are found on cells that line the stomach and are used by these cells to produce stomach acid. Lansoprazole works by stopping the proton pumps from working. This reduces the production of acid in the stomach, and the reduced acidity allows the ulcer to heal. At the same time it creates an environment in which the antibiotics amoxicillin and clarithromycin can be more effective at killing the H pylori bacteria.

Amoxicillin belongs to a group of antibiotics called penicillins. It kills the H pylori bacteria by interfering with their ability to form cell walls. Bacterial cell walls normally contain several cross-links that make them strong. Amoxicillin prevents the bacteria from making these cross-links. As a result, the cell walls are weakened and the bacteria rupture and die.

Clarithromycin is a different type of antibiotic, called a macrolide. It works in a different way to amoxicillin; by preventing the H pylori from producing proteins essential to the bacterial cells. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, replicate and increase in numbers.

The triple action of these three medicines eradicates the H pylori bacteria, allows the ulcer to heal and prevents it from recurring.

What is it used for?

- Eradicating H pylori bacteria from the gut of people with a duodenal ulcer, allowing the ulcer to heal and preventing it coming back

Warning!

- The symptoms of stomach cancer are similar to the symptoms of peptic ulcers. For this reason, if your doctor suspects you have a peptic ulcer, he should exclude the possibility of stomach cancer before prescribing treatment with an anti-ulcer medicine. Otherwise the anti-ulcer medicine could mask the symptoms of the stomach cancer and delay its diagnosis.

It is particularly important that stomach cancer is ruled out before you start this medicine if you are middle-aged or older and have new or recently changed indigestion symptoms.
- Treatment with this medicine may lead to a slightly increased risk of stomach infections such as salmonella, due to the decreased acidity in the stomach.
- If you experience diarrhoea that becomes severe or persistent or contains blood or mucus, either during or after taking this medicine, you should consult your doctor immediately.
- The Zoton capsules, Klaricid tablets and amoxicillin capsules should be taken before your morning and evening meals. They should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed.
- Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is important that you finish the prescribed course of this medicine, even if you feel better. Stopping the course early increases the chance that the ulcer will come back and that the bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotics.
- HeliClear has not been studied in children and is not recommended for children.

Use with caution in

.

- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function

Not to be used in

- Allergy to macrolide-type antibiotics, eg erythromycin
- Allergy to penicillin or cephalosporin-type antibiotics, eg cefuroxime

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- HeliClear should be avoided during pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- Lansoprazole and clarithromycin may pass into breast milk. HeliClear should only be used during breastfeeding if the benefit to the mother outweighs any potential risk to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

- Do not take indigestion remedies at the same time of day as this medication.
- Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed.
- This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use

© Copyright 1998 - 2009 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved