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Overview: Talicia is commonly used to treat Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, which occur in the stomach. Common side effects include diarrhea, headache, nausea, or stomach pain. Serious side effects are rare but may include severe diarrhea, skin reactions, or allergic reactions.

Uses

What is Talicia used for?

Talicia (omeprazole/amoxicillin/rifabutin) is commonly used to treat Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, which occur in the stomach. Infection with H. pylori can lead to stomach ulcers and other problems.

Talicia contains three different medicines that work together to fight a specific type of bacteria that infects the stomach. Some bacteria may have developed resistance to the antibiotics in Talicia, which may make them not work as well. Taking any antibiotic when it is not needed may cause the antibiotic to not work for bacterial infections in the future.

Talicia may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Talicia work (mechanism of action)?

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a type of bacteria that grows well in acidic places, like the stomach. Talicia is made up of three different medicines, called omeprazole, amoxicillin, and rifabutin. These medicines each work in different ways and are used together to help get rid of an H. pylori infection. 

Omeprazole helps to fight H. pylori infection by decreasing the amount of acid that the stomach makes. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that kills H. pylori by preventing it from being able to create a cell wall. Rifabutin is an antibiotic that stops H. pylori from making proteins that it needs to grow and multiply.

How is Talicia supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Talicia

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 10 mg/250 mg/12.5 mg delayed-release capsules

How should I store Talicia?

Talicia should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place in a tightly closed container.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Talicia?

The most common side effects of Talicia are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Diarrhea (see below)
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Change in the color of urine (pee)
  • Rash
  • Upset stomach
  • Mouth or throat pain
  • Vomiting
  • Vaginal yeast infections

There may be other side effects of Talicia that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Talicia?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Talicia are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Talicia can cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also sometimes called multiorgan hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body, including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark colored urine
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Severe Skin Reactions. Talicia can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), which can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop Talicia and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS, TEN, or AGEP.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Red skin covered with fluid-filled bumps (pustules)
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including the antibiotics in Talicia. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Drug-induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (DIES). Amoxicillin, one of the medicines in Talicia, may cause a rare reaction in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract called drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome (DIES). This rare reaction usually occurs within a day of taking amoxicillin. Stop taking Talicia and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Severe vomiting that happens within a couple hours of taking the medicine
  • Severe diarrhea
  • Extreme tiredness or weakness
  • Unusually pale skin
  • Low blood pressure
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Confusion
  • Unsteadiness

Eye Inflammation. Rifabutin, one of the medicines in Talicia, may cause swelling (inflammation) in the eye (uveitis). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Eye pain or redness
  • Blurry or double vision 
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Vision loss

Kidney Problems. A type of kidney problem called acute tubulointerstitial nephritis can happen at any time during treatment with omeprazole, one of the medicines in Talicia. If you notice a decrease in the amount of your urine (pee) or see blood in your urine, call your healthcare provider right away.

Lupus. Omeprazole, one of the medicines in Talicia, can cause certain types of lupus or worsen lupus you already have. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where your immune cells attack other cells or organs in your body. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have new or worsening joint pain or a rash on your arms or cheeks.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Talicia?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Talicia.

  • Amoxicillin
  • Omeprazole
  • Rifabutin
  • Talicia
  • Any other medicine known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Talicia.

Allergies to Certain Antibiotics. Some people who have an allergy to certain other antibiotics may also be allergic to some of the medicines in Talicia. Let your healthcare provider know if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic.

Drug Interactions. Talicia should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking Talicia, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

What should I know about Talicia before using it?

Do not take Talicia unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed. Talicia should be taken with food three times every day. Each dose should be taken at least four hours apart.

Do not share Talicia with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Talicia out of the reach of children.

You may use antacids as needed while you are taking Talicia.

Do not cut, crush, or chew Talicia. The capsules should be taken whole with a full glass of water. 

Talicia may reduce the effects of hormonal birth control. If you use any type of hormonal birth control, including a pill, patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection, or intrauterine device (IUD), you may need to use a second form of birth control while taking Talicia. Examples of other forms of birth control include condoms, a diaphragm, or spermicide. Talk to your healthcare provider about your birth control methods and options.

Omeprazole, one of the medicines in Talicia, may cause a false positive urine test for the active ingredient in cannabis, called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). If you are having a urine drug test, tell the person who is running the test that you are taking Talicia.

Rifabutin, one of the medicines in Talicia, can cause your urine (pee), stool (poop), saliva, tears, and sweat to turn a brown-orange color. This color change can stain contact lenses permanently. It is not harmful and should go away after you stop taking Talicia.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Talicia?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Talicia is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • An allergy to any other medicines
  • Diabetes
  • Eye problems
  • HIV or hepatitis C
  • History of antibiotic-associated diarrhea
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Low potassium levels (hypokalemia)
  • Low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia)
  • Low calcium levels (hypocalcemia)
  • Mononucleosis, also called “mono” or the kissing disease

Pregnancy. Talicia may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. 

Breastfeeding. Talicia passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Talicia while breastfeeding.

How can I get more information about Talicia?

For more information about Talicia, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.talicia.com or call them at 984-444-7010.

Interactions

Does Talicia interact with foods or drinks?

Talicia should be taken with food and a full glass of water.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Talicia. Alcohol can make it harder for your body to fight infection and also increase your risk of developing stomach ulcers.

Does Talicia interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Talicia.

  • A birth control pill, patch, vaginal ring, implant, injection, or intrauterine device (IUD)
  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • A medicine for HIV or AIDS
  • Allopurinol or probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix), which is a medicine to prevent blood clots
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), fluconazole (Diflucan), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • Methotrexate (Trexall and others)
  • Mycophenolate (Cellcept), which is typically used to prevent organ transplant rejection
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • Tacrolimus, which is commonly used to prevent organ transplant rejection
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used to treat depression
  • Any other antibiotic, which is a medicine used for bacterial infections

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of Talicia, and vice versa. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Talicia. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Talicia?

If you or someone else has used too much Talicia, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Talicia?

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Then wait at least four hours before taking the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Talicia, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to this or other similar medicines.

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