Updated on November 11th, 2022
Pepto-Bismol is a pink, viscous liquid used to relieve tummy discomfort, including heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. The mint-flavored variety has an appealing bubble-gum flavor, while the original version has a sour, metallic taste. The tablets and chewables contain a similar formula. However, they differ in flavor. The liquid form has a metallic flavor, while the chewable variety contains spearmint oil and peppermint.
Pepto Bismol is available in various flavors, and the cherry flavor is one of the most popular. The medication is also great for relieving the discomfort of travelers’ diarrhea. It is also effective for indigestion, upset stomach, heartburn, and gas. It can help people feel full and relaxed after a big meal. In addition to treating these symptoms, Pepto Bismol may also help relieve constipation and gas symptoms.
What is Pepto Bismol?
Pepto-Bismol is an over-the-counter medication for indigestion and stomach upset. Bismuth subsalicylate is the active ingredient that helps prevent bacteria from growing in your intestines. Bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in Pepto Bismol, is safe for use in children over two and adults without pre-existing kidney or liver disease.
There are a lot of other products on the market that have similar ingredients but different names; it’s essential not to mix them up. It’s available in both liquid and tablet form, with the pink powdered version for adults and a chewable or suckable cherry-flavored version for kids. It also contains an antacid, so if you’re suffering from heartburn, this could help.
What does Pepto Bismol Taste Like?
The taste of Pepto Bismol is similar to the taste of many other antacids, but it has a distinct flavor. While most people do not prefer what Pepto Bismol tastes like, it may be a bit chalky or even candy-like. Regardless of how it tastes, it is safe and effective for stomach problems. The only thing it doesn’t taste like is candy, but it can sometimes have a strong odor.
The medication’s taste varies depending on how it’s taken. The medication will have a chalky texture and taste like candy if you take it by mouth as a chewable tablet.
If you use the liquid form, most people report that their drink or meal has an unpleasant metallic flavor, which is partly due to the amount of bismuth subsalicylate that has been added.
Only the Pepto Kids comes in a bubble gum flavor intended to appeal to children.
What are the Active Ingredients Present in Pepto Bismol, and How does it Work?
While the active ingredient in Pepto Bismol is not particularly pleasant, it has an efficient purpose. It provides fast relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of a sour stomach. This allows you to go about your day without worrying about indigestion. A side effect is that it can discolor your tongue and stool. Don’t worry about it, as it is harmless and will go away in a couple of days.
While the ingredient in Pepto Bismol is not harmful, the active ingredient in the product is. It combines with sulfur naturally found in the body, so you won’t experience black poop or a black tongue. If you are unsure whether your stomach is inflamed, call your doctor and follow the directions carefully. And don’t take more than 8 doses in 24 hours.
Unlike other types of antacids, Pepto Bismol tastes like mint. It contains the active ingredient bismuth, which reacts with the sulfur naturally present in the digestive system. As a result, Pepto Bismol can make your poop and tongue appear black. These side effects are rare, but they should be reported to your healthcare provider. Antacids are essential medicines, so they have no taste.
The active ingredient in Pepto Bismol is bismuth, which can react with sulfur naturally present in the mouth and digestive tract. You should always take plenty of water when taking Pepto Bismol. Its taste is not unpleasant, but it can be confusing, and its flavor is usually a bit astringent.
What Happens When you Take Pepto Bismol?
Pepto-Bismol is a well-known antacid and stomach medicine available over-the-counter. Bismuth subsalicylate, the main ingredient, relieves heartburn and acid reflux, and indigestion caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
It also helps with nausea during pregnancy, morning sickness, or chemotherapy side effects, and it relieves diarrhea caused by food poisoning.
It is a medication that is available in both tablet and liquid form. It’s only available from pharmacies, but you might be able to find some at your local supermarket or drugstore.
Why does Pepto-Bismol Make my Stool Black and my Tongue Black and Hairy?
Bismuth is a substance found in Pepto-Bismol. Bismuth sulfide is formed when this substance reacts with sulfur (a mineral found in your body). This substance is dark in color.
As you digest food, it forms in your digestive tract and mixes. Your stool will turn black as a result of this, and your tongue turns black when bismuth sulfide forms in your saliva. It also causes a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of your tongue, which can make it appear furry.
Who can take Pepto-Bismol and Who can’t?
Starting at the age of 16, most adults and teenagers can take Pepto-Bismol. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid taking this medication. Some people should avoid taking Pepto-Bismol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following conditions to ensure that this medicine is safe for you:
- had an allergic reaction to Pepto-Bismol
- aspirin, or any other medicine in the past an allergy to amaranth
- aspartame is a blood clotting problem diabetes gout phenylketonuria (the chewable tablets contain aspartame), a rare inherited illness called phenylketonuria
- Both the liquid and tablet versions of Pepto-Bismol contain amaranth as a colorant.
- Amaranth can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Can Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women Consume Pepto Bismol?
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid taking Pepto-Bismol.
It’s best to treat your indigestion naturally rather than with medication. It can assist with:
- eat smaller meals more frequently
- avoid fatty or spicy foods, and abstain from alcohol and smoking
- Raise one end of your bed slightly higher than the other so your head is above your stomach.
- After eating, avoid lying down right away.
- Instead of drinking water with meals, drink it between them.
- Consult your doctor or a pharmacist if this advice does not help. They will be able to advise you on the best medicine for you and your child.
Dosage of Pepto Bismol for Kids?
The products and dosages listed above are for people aged 12 and up. Pepto-Bismol has a separate chewable tablet product for children aged 12 and under.
This product is intended to help young children with heartburn and indigestion. It’s important to note that the dosages are determined by weight and age.
Chewable Pepto Kids Tablets:
- One tablet is recommended for children weighing 24 to 47 pounds and aged 2 to 5. Do not take more than three tablets in 24 hours.
- Two tablets for children weighing 48 to 95 pounds and aged 6 to 11. Do not take more than six tablets in 24 hours.
- Unless otherwise directed by a physician, do not use in children under two or who weigh less than 24 pounds.
- Contact their pediatrician if your child’s symptoms do not improve after two weeks.
Is There Anything Else I Should Know About this Medication?
These considerations may have an impact on how you should use this medication.
If you have ulcers, bleeding disorders, or bloody or black stools, you should not use bismuth subsalicylate without consulting a doctor.
Diabetes: Medications containing salicylates can lead to a loss of blood glucose control. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about how this medication may affect your health, how your health may affect the dosing and effectiveness, and whether any special monitoring is required.
Gout: Salicylate medications can exacerbate gout symptoms or trigger an attack. If you have gout, talk to your doctor about how this medication will affect your medical condition, how your medical condition will affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and if any special monitoring is required.
Kidney: If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, talk to your doctor about how this medication might affect your medical condition, how your medical condition might affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is necessary.
Conclusion
Even though Pepto Bismol is not recommended for pregnant women, it can still help you get rid of diarrhea. As long as you consume it as directed, it will relieve diarrhea and other symptoms of food poisoning. If you’re concerned about the odor or taste, you should contact your healthcare provider. If you have any allergies, the active ingredient in Pepto Bismol is absorbed in the intestines through the bile and is not absorbed in the body.
Pepto Bismol is often sold in liquid or tablet, and both are available at local drugstores and pharmacies. The discoloration of the medication can be mild and temporary and will disappear within a few days. Nevertheless, pregnant women shouldn’t take this medication with milk, as it can cause a few complications. The FDA approved this medication, but this is not always the case.