bismuth subsalicylate

Generic Name: bismuth subsalicylate (BIZ muth sub sa LISS i late)Brand names: Bismarex, Bismatrol, Bismatrol Maximum Strength, Childrens Kaopectate, Kao-Tin Bismuth Subsalicylate Formula, Kaopectate, Kapectolin (New Formula), Maalox Total Stomach Relief, Peptic Relief, Pepto-Bismol, Pepto-Bismol Maximum Strength, Pink Bismuth, Maximum Strength Stress, Stress Maximum Strength, Kaopectate Extra Strength, Kaopectate Anti-Diarrheal Upset Stomach Reliever, K-Pek

What is bismuth subsalicylate?

Bismuth subsalicylate is an anti-diarrhea medication and antacid.

Bismuth subsalicylate is used to treat diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, indigestion, and upset stomach.

Bismuth subsalicylate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about bismuth subsalicylate?This medication should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Salicylates can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children. You should not use bismuth subsalicylate if you have a stomach ulcer, a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, or if you are allergic to salicylates such as aspirin, Doan's Extra Strength, Salflex, Tricosal, and others.

Do not take more than 8 doses in one day (24 hours).

Bismuth subsalicylate can cause you to have a black or darkened tongue. This is a harmless side effect.

This medication can also cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests, thyroid scans, or stomach x-rays. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have recently taken bismuth subsalicylate.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking bismuth subsalicylate?This medication should not be given to a child or teenager who has a fever, especially if the child also has flu symptoms or chicken pox. Subsalicylate can cause a serious and sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome in children. You should not use bismuth subsalicylate if you have:

• a stomach ulcer;

• a recent history of stomach or intestinal bleeding; or

• if you are allergic to salicylates such as aspirin, Doan's Extra Strength, Salflex, Tricosal, and others.

Before taking bismuth subsalicylate, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• fever;

• mucus in your stools;

• diabetes;

• arthritis; or

• gout.

Do not take bismuth subsalicylate without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Bismuth subsalicylate can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take bismuth subsalicylate?

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Shake the liquid medicine well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

Do not take more than 8 doses in one day (24 hours).

Bismuth subsalicylate can cause you to have a black or darkened tongue. This is a harmless side effect.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests, thyroid scans, or stomach x-rays. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have recently taken bismuth subsalicylate.

Store bismuth subsalicylate at room temperature away from moisture, heat, or freezing temperature.

See also: Bismuth subsalicylate dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since bismuth subsalicylate is taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Do not take more than 8 doses in one day (24 hours).

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include increased thirst, anxiety, muscle spasm, ringing in your ears, dizziness, confusion, severe headache, problems with speech or vision, severe stomach pain, or worsening diarrhea or vomiting.

What should I avoid while taking bismuth subsalicylate?

Talk to your doctor before taking additional antacids or diarrhea medications together with bismuth subsalicylate.

Bismuth subsalicylate side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• hearing loss or ringing in your ears;

• diarrhea lasting longer than 2 days; or

• worsened stomach symptoms.

Less serious side effects include:

• constipation;

• dark colored stools; or

• black or darkened tongue.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Bismuth subsalicylate Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Dyspepsia:

524 mg orally every 30 to 60 minutes as needed not to exceed 8 doses in any 24 hour period. Alternatively, 1048 mg may be given orally every hour not to exceed 4 doses in any 24 hour period.

Usual Adult Dose for Helicobacter pylori Infection:

524 mg orally 4 times a day.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Diarrhea:

Non-specific diarrhea:<3 years: use with caution3 to 6 years: 87 mg every 30 minutes to 1 hour as needed.6 to 9 years: 175 mg every 30 minutes to 1 hour as needed.9 to 12 years: 262 mg every 30 minutes to 1 hour as needed.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Diarrhea -- Chronic:

Chronic Infantile Diarrhea:2 to 24 months: 44 mg every 4 hours24 to 48 months: 87 mg every 4 hours48 to 70 months: 175 mg every 4 hours

Usual Pediatric Dose for Helicobacter pylori Infection:

Dosage in children with Helicobacter Pylori Infection is not well established, the following doses have been used in conjunction with ampicillin and metronidazole.<= 10 years: 262 mg four times a day for six weeks> 10 years: 524 mg four times a day for six weeks

What other drugs will affect bismuth subsalicylate?

The following drugs can interact with bismuth subsalicylate. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;

• medications to treat gout, such as probenecid (Benemid) or sulfinpyrazone (Anturane);

• medication used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), and urokinase (Abbokinase);

• salicylates such as aspirin, Novasal, Doan's Extra Strength, Salflex, Tricosal, and others; or

• a tetracycline antibiotic, including doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with bismuth subsalicylate. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about bismuth subsalicylate.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.04. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:39:00 PM.