Bismuth subsalicylate for nausea
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Bismuth Subsalicylate for Nausea Relief: Clinical Evidence
Antinauseant and Antiemetic Effects in Humans and Animals
Research shows that bismuth subsalicylate can effectively reduce both nausea and vomiting. In controlled studies, it significantly decreased the incidence of vomiting in dogs and provided relief from nausea and vomiting in humans exposed to an emetic challenge, with 66.7% and 80% of subjects experiencing relief, respectively. These results indicate that bismuth subsalicylate has clear antiemetic and antinauseant properties in both animals and people .
Relief of Nausea Associated with Gastrointestinal Distress
Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated that bismuth subsalicylate provides significant relief from nausea related to gastrointestinal discomfort. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, individuals who overindulged in food and drink and then took bismuth subsalicylate reported significantly better relief from nausea and other symptoms like fullness, heartburn, and stomach pain compared to those who took a placebo. Relief was also achieved more quickly in the bismuth subsalicylate group, with no adverse reactions reported . Another study found that bismuth subsalicylate provided faster and greater relief from nausea and related symptoms of indigestion than placebo, though it did not significantly help with upper abdominal pain .
Nausea Relief in Diarrhea and Infectious Gastroenteritis
Bismuth subsalicylate has also been shown to help with nausea in the context of diarrhea, particularly in cases of traveler's diarrhea. In a study of students with acute diarrhea, those treated with bismuth subsalicylate reported more frequent relief from nausea, abdominal pain, and cramps compared to placebo, especially among those with toxigenic E. coli infection .
Safety and Adverse Effects
Across studies, bismuth subsalicylate was generally well tolerated, with no significant adverse reactions reported in short-term use for nausea and gastrointestinal symptoms 24. However, rare cases of bismuth toxicity can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and other systemic effects, especially with excessive or prolonged use . In one study of bismuth subsalicylate as part of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy, nausea was not significantly increased compared to placebo .
Conclusion
Bismuth subsalicylate is supported by clinical evidence as an effective and safe option for relieving nausea associated with gastrointestinal distress, overindulgence, and infectious diarrhea. It acts quickly and is generally well tolerated, making it a useful over-the-counter remedy for nausea in a variety of settings 1247.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic