Can Pepto Bismol Give You a Black Tongue
- Uses
- What Is Bismuth Subsalicylate and How Does It Work?
- Dosage
- What Are Dosages of Bismuth Subsalicylate?
- Side Effects
- What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Bismuth Subsalicylate?
- Drug Interactions
- What Other Drugs Interact with Bismuth Subsalicylate?
- Warnings and Precautions
- What Are Warnings and Precautions for Bismuth Subsalicylate?
Brand Name: Kaopectate, Devrom, Pepto Bismol, Maalox Total Relief, Kaopectate Extra Strength, Pepto-Bismol Maximum Strength
Generic Name: Bismuth Subsalicylate
Drug Class: Antidiarrheals; H. pylori Agents
What Is Bismuth Subsalicylate and How Does It Work?
Bismuth subsalicylate is an over-the-counter medication used for treatment of diarrhea, gas, upset stomach, indigestion, heartburn, nausea and as a prophylaxis for traveler's diarrhea. Bismuth subsalicylate is also used in conjunction with other medications to treat H. pylori.
- Bismuth subsalicylate is available under the following different brand names: Kaopectate, Pepto Bismol, Maalox Total Relief, Kaopectate Extra Strength, and Pepto-Bismol Maximum Strength.
What Are Dosages of Bismuth Subsalicylate?
Adult and Pediatric Dosages of Bismuth Subsalicylate:
Tablet, chewable
- 262 mg
- 525 mg
Caplet
- 262 mg
Oral suspension
- 262 mg/15 ml
- 525 mg/15 ml
Diarrhea, Gas, Upset Stomach, Indigestion, Heartburn, Nausea
Adult Dosing:
- 2 tablets (262 mg/tab) or 30 ml (regular strength) orally every ½-1 hour as needed; maximum daily dose: 8 regular-strength doses or 4 extra-strength doses
Pediatric Dosing:
- Children under 3: safety and efficacy not established
- Children 3-6 years: 1/3 tablet or 5 ml (regular strength) or 2.5 ml (extra strength) orally every ½-1 hour as needed
- Children 6-9 years: 2/3 tablet or 10 ml (regular strength) or 5 ml (extra strength) orally every ½-1 hour as needed
- Children 9-12 years: 1 tablet or 15 ml (regular strength) or 7.5 ml (extra strength) orally every ½-1 hour as needed
- Children over 12 years; 2 tablets or 30 ml (regular strength) or 15 ml (extra strength) orally every ½-1 hour as needed; maximum daily dose: 8 regular-strength doses or 4 extra-strength doses
Traveler's Diarrhea
- Prophylaxis
- 2 tablets (262 mg/tab) every 6 hours for up to 3 weeks
Helicobacter Pylori
- 525 mg (2 regular-strength tablets or 1 extra-strength tablet) plus 250 mg metronidazole plus 500 mg tetracycline orally every 6 hours for 14 days, plus an H2 antagonist (Helidac Therapy pack)
This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.
Chronic Infantile Diarrhea
- Children under 2 years: 2.5 ml (regular strength) every 4 hours
- Children 2-4 years: 5 ml (regular strength) every 4 hours
- Children 4-6 years: 10 ml (regular strength) every 4 hours
Dosing Modifications
- Renal impairment: Overdose may cause nephrotoxicity
Administration
- Drink plenty of clear fluids to prevent dehydration caused by diarrhea
- Do not use for more than 2 days
- Helidac Therapy pack: Bismuth subsalicylate tablets should be chewed and swallowed; if a dose is missed, double doses should not be taken
SLIDESHOW
Super Tips to Boost Digestive Health: Bloating, Constipation, and More See Slideshow
What Other Drugs Interact with Bismuth Subsalicylate?
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.
- Severe interactions of bismuth subsalicylate include:
- dichlorphenamide
- Serious interactions of bismuth subsalicylate include:
- demeclocycline
- doxycycline
- eluxadoline
- lymecycline
- minocycline
- oxytetracycline
- tetracycline
- Moderate interactions of bismuth subsalicylate include:
- acebutolol
- atenolol
- benazepril
- betaxolol
- bisoprolol
- carvedilol
- celiprolol
- esmolol
- labetalol
- metoprolol
- nadolol
- nebivolol
- penbutolol
- pindolol
- propranolol
- sotalol
- timolol
- tobramycin (inhaled)
- Minor interactions of bismuth subsalicylate include:
- aspirin
- aspirin (rectal)
- aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate
- esomeprazole
- omeprazole
This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.
QUESTION
Pancreatitis is inflammation of an organ in the abdomen called the pancreas. See Answer
What Are Warnings and Precautions for Bismuth Subsalicylate?
Warnings
This medication contains bismuth subsalicylate. Do not take Kaopectate, Pepto Bismol, Maalox Total Relief, Kaopectate Extra Strength, or Pepto-Bismol Maximum Strength if you are allergic to bismuth subsalicylate or any ingredients contained in this drug.
Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to bismuth, aspirin, other salicylates.
- Infectious diarrhea, high fever, von Willebrand disease, hemorrhage, ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding with black or bloody stool, hemophilia.
- In pediatric patients, chickenpox or influenza (risk of Reye's syndrome); changes in behavior with nausea and vomiting may be an early sign of Reye's syndrome.
Effects of Drug Abuse
- No information available
Short-Term Effects
- See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Bismuth Subsalicylate?"
Long-Term Effects
- See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Bismuth Subsalicylate?"
Cautions
- May cause a black tongue and/or black stool.
- May interfere with gastrointestinal radiographic tests.
Pregnancy and Lactation
- Use bismuth subsalicylate with caution during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available or neither animal nor human studies were done. During the third trimester, use bismuth subsalicylate only in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug is available. There is positive evidence of human fetal risk.
- Salicylates enter breast milk; use bismuth subsalicylate with caution if breastfeeding.
From
References
Medscape. Bismuth Subsalicylate.
https://reference.medscape.com/drug/kaopectate-pepto-bismol-bismuth-subsalicylate-342037
RxList. Helidac Product Monograph.
https://www.rxlist.com/helidac-drug/patient-images-side-effects.htm
Can Pepto Bismol Give You a Black Tongue
Source: https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_bismuth_subsalicylate_kaopectate/drugs-condition.htm