Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesHow Pepto WorksSide EffectsBefore TakingDosageFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
How Pepto Works
Side Effects
Before Taking
Dosage
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes 30 minutes to an hour for Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) to start working and help relieve diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea.
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Sometimes referred to as “the pink stuff,” Pepto-Bismol is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that is safe and effective for short-term use. Side effects are generally mild and can include a black tongue, black stool, and constipation. More serious side effects can occur but are rare.
This article discusses Pepto-Bismol, how it works, and its potential side effects.
Uses for Pepto-Bismol
Pepto-Bismol is primarily used for the short-term treatment of the following digestive symptoms in adults and children age 12 and older:
Interestingly, researchers have found that when Pepto-Bismol is combined with antibiotics, it can be quite effective in treatingHelicobacter pylori—an infection that has been linked to peptic ulcers andgastritis.
How Pepto-Bismol Works
The scientific name for the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol is bismuth subsalicylate.
Bismuthis a mineral that has antibacterial, antacid, and antidiarrheal effects.
Subsalicylateis a medication in the same class as aspirin.
The active ingredients of Pepto-Bismol are thought to have the following actions within the body:
Pepto-Bismol Side Effects
These side effects are temporary and generally harmless.
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects of Pepto-Bismol can occur, though they are rare:
Pepto KidsPepto Kids (calcium carbonate) is designed to treatheartburnand upset stomach in children. It does not contain bismuth subsalicylate, so it poses no risk of Reye’s syndrome.
Pepto Kids
Pepto Kids (calcium carbonate) is designed to treatheartburnand upset stomach in children. It does not contain bismuth subsalicylate, so it poses no risk of Reye’s syndrome.
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
Contact your healthcare provider immediately and stop taking Pepto-Bismol if you experience:
Why Pepto Can Turn Stool Black
Before Taking Pepto-Bismol
Pepto-Bismol should be used for no more than two days . That makes it a poor choice for people who experience diarrhea, heartburn, or acid reflux that is chronic in nature.
Ask your healthcare provider about taking Pepto-Bismol before using it, as it may interact with other medications you are taking.
Drug Interactions
Pepto-Bismol can potentially interact with a wide range of medications. Let your healthcare provider know if you take any of the following before starting Pepto-Bismol:
Precautions and Contraindications
Do not take this medication for more than two days.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Liquid
Use the provided dosing cup to take liquid Pepto-Bismol. (One dose equals one dosing cup filled to the top.)
If you’ve lost the dosing cup, look at the label to determine the strength of the formula, which dictates how much you should take:
Dispense the dose using a medication syringe or cup that allows you to measure out a precise dose. Never use a kitchen spoon.
Do not exceed eight doses in a 24-hour period.
Chewable Tablets
Take two Pepto-Bismol chewables at a time. Do not exceed a total of 16 tablets in 24 hours.
Pepto Kids also comes in chewable tablet form. Dosing depends on a child’s weight and age:
If your child’s weight and age do not correspond with one of the above, defer to the dosage that is appropriate for their weight.
Caplets
Pepto-Bismol caplets come in several different formulations. Take only the amount indicated on the label:
Do You Need to Take Pepto-Bismol With Food?You do not need to take Pepto-Bismol with food.However, be sure to drink plenty of water to replace fluid lost from diarrhea episodes.
Do You Need to Take Pepto-Bismol With Food?
You do not need to take Pepto-Bismol with food.However, be sure to drink plenty of water to replace fluid lost from diarrhea episodes.
Summary
Pepto-Bismol may cause side effects like a black tongue or constipation. These side effects are usually mild. Sometimes, however, it can cause more serious side effects like ringing in the ears or Reye’s syndrome in children.
Don’t take Pepto-Bismol for more than two days and avoid taking if you have health conditions like an aspirin allergy, if you’re taking certain medications, or you are pregnant.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPepto-Bismol generally starts to work within 30 minutes to an hour. If you aren’t feeling relief after an hour, you can take a second dose.The most common side effect of Pepto-Bismol is a black tongue or black stools. Both are harmless. Pepto-Bismol contains a non-toxic metal called bismuth that, when mixed with sulfur (a naturally occurring mineral in the body), forms a black substance called bismuth sulfide.On rare occasions, Pepto-Bismol has been known to cause potentially serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you experience severe vomiting,blood in the stool,vomit that resembles coffee grounds-like vomit, orringing in the earsafter taking Pepto-Bismol.Learn MoreWhen to See a Healthcare Provider About VomitingPepto-Bismol is contraindicated for use in people withaspirin allergy,gastric ulcer,hematochezia(bloody stools),hemophilia,flu-like symptoms (for children and teens only due to the risk ofReye syndrome).Children under age 12 should not take regular Pepto-Bismol and children under 2 shouldn’t be given Pepto Kids.Pepto-Bismol contains bismuth subsalicylate, a drug that is generally avoided during the third trimester as it increases the risk ofuterine bleeding. There remains considerable debate about the actual risk, but it may be best to avoid Pepto-Bismol just to be safe.
Pepto-Bismol generally starts to work within 30 minutes to an hour. If you aren’t feeling relief after an hour, you can take a second dose.
The most common side effect of Pepto-Bismol is a black tongue or black stools. Both are harmless. Pepto-Bismol contains a non-toxic metal called bismuth that, when mixed with sulfur (a naturally occurring mineral in the body), forms a black substance called bismuth sulfide.
On rare occasions, Pepto-Bismol has been known to cause potentially serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you experience severe vomiting,blood in the stool,vomit that resembles coffee grounds-like vomit, orringing in the earsafter taking Pepto-Bismol.Learn MoreWhen to See a Healthcare Provider About Vomiting
On rare occasions, Pepto-Bismol has been known to cause potentially serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you experience severe vomiting,blood in the stool,vomit that resembles coffee grounds-like vomit, orringing in the earsafter taking Pepto-Bismol.
Learn MoreWhen to See a Healthcare Provider About Vomiting
Pepto-Bismol is contraindicated for use in people withaspirin allergy,gastric ulcer,hematochezia(bloody stools),hemophilia,flu-like symptoms (for children and teens only due to the risk ofReye syndrome).Children under age 12 should not take regular Pepto-Bismol and children under 2 shouldn’t be given Pepto Kids.
Pepto-Bismol is contraindicated for use in people withaspirin allergy,gastric ulcer,hematochezia(bloody stools),hemophilia,flu-like symptoms (for children and teens only due to the risk ofReye syndrome).
Children under age 12 should not take regular Pepto-Bismol and children under 2 shouldn’t be given Pepto Kids.
Pepto-Bismol contains bismuth subsalicylate, a drug that is generally avoided during the third trimester as it increases the risk ofuterine bleeding. There remains considerable debate about the actual risk, but it may be best to avoid Pepto-Bismol just to be safe.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Label: Pepto-Bismol—bismuth subsalicylate kit.Graham DY, Lee SY.How to effectively use bismuth quadruple therapy: The good, the bad, and the ugly.Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2015;44(3):537-63. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2015.05.003MedlinePlus.Bismuth subsalicylate.Procter & Gamble.Pepto Bismol Original Liquid [package labeling].Pepto Bismol.When & how to take Pepto Bismol?Pepto Kids. The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company.Pepto Bismol.FAQ.KidsHealth.Reye Syndrome.Servery J, Chang J.Over-the-counter medications in pregnancy.Am Fam Physician.2014;90(8):548-55.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Label: Pepto-Bismol—bismuth subsalicylate kit.Graham DY, Lee SY.How to effectively use bismuth quadruple therapy: The good, the bad, and the ugly.Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2015;44(3):537-63. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2015.05.003MedlinePlus.Bismuth subsalicylate.Procter & Gamble.Pepto Bismol Original Liquid [package labeling].Pepto Bismol.When & how to take Pepto Bismol?Pepto Kids. The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company.Pepto Bismol.FAQ.KidsHealth.Reye Syndrome.Servery J, Chang J.Over-the-counter medications in pregnancy.Am Fam Physician.2014;90(8):548-55.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Label: Pepto-Bismol—bismuth subsalicylate kit.Graham DY, Lee SY.How to effectively use bismuth quadruple therapy: The good, the bad, and the ugly.Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2015;44(3):537-63. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2015.05.003MedlinePlus.Bismuth subsalicylate.Procter & Gamble.Pepto Bismol Original Liquid [package labeling].Pepto Bismol.When & how to take Pepto Bismol?Pepto Kids. The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company.Pepto Bismol.FAQ.KidsHealth.Reye Syndrome.Servery J, Chang J.Over-the-counter medications in pregnancy.Am Fam Physician.2014;90(8):548-55.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Label: Pepto-Bismol—bismuth subsalicylate kit.
Graham DY, Lee SY.How to effectively use bismuth quadruple therapy: The good, the bad, and the ugly.Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2015;44(3):537-63. doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2015.05.003
MedlinePlus.Bismuth subsalicylate.
Procter & Gamble.Pepto Bismol Original Liquid [package labeling].
Pepto Bismol.When & how to take Pepto Bismol?
Pepto Kids. The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company.
Pepto Bismol.FAQ.
KidsHealth.Reye Syndrome.
Servery J, Chang J.Over-the-counter medications in pregnancy.Am Fam Physician.2014;90(8):548-55.
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