Medication guide
Bismuth Subsalicylate
- Generic name
- Bismuth Subsalicylate
- Common brand names
- Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate
- Medication class
- Anti-diarrheal/gastrointestinal protective agent
Overview
Its medication class is Anti-diarrheal/gastrointestinal protective agent. Common uses include Nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, and traveler’s GI upset. Product forms and labels can differ, so follow the specific package instructions and ask a pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional about individual questions.
How to Take it
- Route
- Oral antidiarrheal.
- Time of day
- Use at start of loose stool episode and as per label if stools continue.
- With food/water
- Use with water and small frequent fluids.
- Preparation
- Swallow tablets at first diarrhea episode and after each additional stool as labeled.
- Safe dose
- Keep to initial dose plus labeled maintenance doses only.
- Max dose
- Do not exceed OTC daily cap.
- Frequency
- Interval-based dosing; never stack multiple antidiarrheals.
- Other recommendations
- Seek urgent care for blood, fever, severe dehydration, or infant/elderly dehydration signs.
Common uses
- Nausea
- diarrhea
- indigestion
- traveler’s GI upset
Common side effects
- Nausea
- constipation or diarrhea
- abdominal pain
- black stool
- black tongue
- and rash
Important warnings
- Contains salicylate-like effects; avoid in aspirin allergy, active bleeding, severe renal/hepatic failure, and pediatric viral illness. Do not use prolonged high-dose therapy. Seek care for melena, severe abdominal pain, tinnitus, persistent vomiting, or confusion.
General interactions information
Additive salicylate exposure with aspirin/NSAIDs; caution with anticoagulants
Sources / references
- Bismuth Subsalicylate — MedlinePlus
U.S. National Library of Medicine
These references offer further reading. A source link does not establish that a clinician has reviewed every statement in this guide.
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