Frequently Asked Questions
H. pylori
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is bacteria that can cause an infection in your stomach. It is estimated that 36% of
the U.S. population is infected with H. pylori.
H. pylori infection can irritate the lining of your stomach and can cause a variety of symptoms, including: stomach pain, epigastric pain, dyspepsia, nausea, loss of appetite, bloating, frequent burping, and unintentional weight loss.
H. pylori bacteria may be passed from person to person through direct contact with saliva, vomit, or other bodily fluids. The bacteria may also be spread through contaminated food or water.
Among certain populations, H. pylori infection is more widespread. It is estimated that 36% of the U.S. population overall is infected with H. pylori and nearly 50% of African Americans, Eastern Europeans, and Latinos in the U.S. have the bacteria.
If left untreated, H. pylori infection can cause ulcers, which are painful, open sores in your stomach lining that can bleed. Studies have shown that people infected with H. pylori are also more likely to develop stomach cancer. Getting rid of H. pylori from your stomach may reduce the risk of developing these problems.
If you suspect you might have an H. pylori infection or you are experiencing symptoms, ask your doctor about testing for the bacteria. Your healthcare professional has a variety of ways to test if H. pylori is living in your stomach. A breath test or a stool test are two of the best ways to test for the infection.
Talicia
Talicia is an H. pylori treatment that combines three medications into one capsule. Amoxicillin, a penicillin-like medication, and rifabutin are antibiotics which help kill the bacteria. It also includes omeprazole magnesium, a medication which helps reduce stomach acid acid, allowing the antibiotics to do their job.
Talicia is a medication for the treatment of a bacteria, H. pylori, in the stomach of adults.
Talicia is different because it is the only H. pylori therapy that combines amoxicillin, rifabutin and omeprazole magnesium in an all-in-one capsule. H. pylori is more likely to be killed by these antibiotics than antibiotics used in the past.
Talicia is highly effective in killing H. pylori infection. 84% of patients overall no longer had the bacteria in their stomach after 14 days of therapy. In the patients who were confirmed to have taken the medication as directed, 90% no longer had the bacteria in their stomach after 14 days of Talicia therapy.1
Talicia is well tolerated. Only 1% of patients discontinued therapy due to side effects. The most common side effects experienced by 1% or more of patients taking Talicia were diarrhea, headache, nausea, stomach pain, rash, indigestion, mouth or throat pain, vomiting, vaginal yeast infection, and a brown-orange discoloration of the urine, sweat or skin, which goes away after therapy is completed or discontinued.
Talicia should be taken as directed – 4 capsules every 8 hours with food for 14 days. Skipping doses or not completing the treatment may not rid H. pylori from your stomach and may increase the chance that the bacteria will become stronger. The capsules should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water. Do not crush or chew the capsules. Do not take Talicia with alcohol.
It only takes 14 days of treatment to result in high rates of cure. You may feel better before the end of the 14 days, however, just because symptoms are gone does not mean that H. pylori has been completely killed.
H. pylori is a very tough bacteria that can survive if not gotten rid of completely. If it is not eliminated from your stomach, the infection can also cause other problems.
Talicia should be taken exactly as directed and for the entire 14 days. Skipping doses or not completing the treatment may not rid H. pylori from your stomach and may increase the chance that the bacteria will become stronger and may make it more difficult to treat with Talicia or other medications in the future.
Yes.
It is also recommended that your healthcare professional perform testing about 1 month after you have completed therapy to make sure the bacteria is no longer in your stomach.2
Ask your doctor about scheduling follow-up testing. This will help make sure your H. pylori infection is gone.
Talicia Prescribing information is available here.
REFERENCES: 1. Graham DY, Canaan Y, Maher J, Wiener G, Hulten KG, Kalfus IN. Rifabutin-based triple therapy (RHB-105) for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 2020;172(12):795-802. 2. Chey WD, Leontiadis GI, Howden CW, Moss SF. ACG Clinical Guideline: Treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. Am J Gastroenterol. 2017;112(2):212-239.