14c-urea (By mouth)

Introduction:

14C Urea (14C ure-EE-a)

Used to test for ulcers.

Brand Name(s):

Pytest

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule

• This medicine is used as part of a test that will help your doctor find out if you have stomach ulcers.
• Do not eat anything for 6 hours before the test.
• The test will be given to you by your health care provider. The person helping you with the test will give you one capsule of the medicine to swallow with a small amount of lukewarm water. Do not touch the capsule with your fingers, because this may cause incorrect test results.
• Swallow the capsule whole. Do not chew it.
• About 3 minutes after you swallow the capsule you will take another small drink of water to make sure the capsule goes down into your stomach.
• About 10 minutes after you swallowed the capsule, you will give a breath sample by blowing through a straw connected to a balloon.
• Your breath sample will be tested for an enzyme that is present whenever a bacterium (germ) called H pylori (pie-LOR-ee) is in your stomach. H pylori can cause a stomach infection and stomach ulcers.

If a dose is missed:

• Only one capsule of this medicine is needed to do the test.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• You should not have used an antibiotic (a medicine used to treat infections) or products that contain bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol®) in the last 4 weeks before the test. You should not have used sucralfate (Carafate®), lansoprazole (Prevacid®), or omeprazole (Prilosec®) in the last 2 weeks before this test. These medicines may cause incorrect test results. If you have used any of these medicines within the last few weeks, tell the health care provider giving you the test.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before using this medicine.
• The capsule contains a very small amount of radioactivity. The amount is so small, there should be no harmful effects. If you have questions or concerns about this, talk with your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness
• Nausea, vomiting

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: