Bismuth Subsalicylate, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antacid; antidiarrheal; antiulcer

Generic and brand names: bismuth subsalicylate, oral; Bismatrol; Bismatrol Extra Strength; Kaopectate; Kaopectate Extra Strength; Maalox Maximum Strength Total Stomach Relief; Pepto-Bismol; Pepto-Bismol Maximum Strength; Pink Bismuth

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat diarrhea, indigestion, heartburn, or stomach cramps. You can buy it without a prescription

This medicine may also be used with prescription antibiotics to treat stomach ulcers caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the medicine and supervise your treatment.

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

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, talk with your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• bleeding problems
• diabetes
• gout
• kidney problems
• ulcers.

Do not use this medicine to treat diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting in children or teenagers who have or are recovering from the flu or chickenpox. Also talk to your provider before using this medicine if your child has recently had a chickenpox vaccination.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. This medicine should not be taken by pregnant women during the last 3 months of pregnancy because it may harm the baby.

How should I take it?

Take this medicine according to the directions on the package or exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or take it for a longer time than prescribed. Taking too much of this medicine can cause serious side effects.

This medicine comes in liquid, tablet, and caplet forms. Shake the liquid well before using. Chew the tablets, let them dissolve in your mouth, or swallow them whole if they are not too large. Swallow caplets whole. No not chew them. Take all forms of this medicine with a full glass of water.

What should I watch out for?

Do not give this medicine to children less than 12 years old or to very elderly or frail people unless a healthcare provider approves.

This medicine may make your stools a grayish-black color. It may also darken your tongue. This is harmless and temporary.

If your diarrhea is severe, if it continues for more than 2 days, or if you have a fever, contact your healthcare provider right away.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever with diarrhea, continuing diarrhea, severe constipation, ringing in your ears, muscle weakness, increased sweating or thirst.

Other: Grayish-black stool and tongue, mild constipation.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as tetracycline (Achromycin, Sumycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin), demeclocycline (Declomycin), and minocycline (Minocin)
• aspirin or other salicylates
• diabetes medicines such as glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase), glipizide (Glucotrol), repaglinide (Prandin), metformin (Glucophage), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and pioglitazone (Actos)
• probenecid
• warfarin (Coumadin).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.