Pepto bismol active ingredients

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Pepto-Bismol Active Ingredient: Bismuth Subsalicylate

Pepto-Bismol’s main active ingredient is bismuth subsalicylate, a compound that has been widely used for over a century to treat gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, indigestion, and upset stomach 237810.

Chemical Structure and Properties of Bismuth Subsalicylate

Recent research has revealed that bismuth subsalicylate has a layered, rod-like structure, with oxygen anions and salicylate groups coordinating to bismuth atoms in a complex arrangement. This unique structure helps explain its effectiveness and long-standing use, as well as why its precise structure was difficult to determine for so long 146.

How Bismuth Subsalicylate Works in the Body

When ingested, bismuth subsalicylate is converted in the gastrointestinal tract into salicylic acid and insoluble bismuth salts. The salicylate portion is mostly absorbed and excreted in urine, while very little bismuth is absorbed into the bloodstream. This makes Pepto-Bismol generally safe for short-term and moderate extended use, with low risk of toxicity 23.

Pharmacological Effects and Safety

Bismuth subsalicylate has antisecretory and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce fluid loss and inflammation in the intestines. It is effective in preventing and treating diarrhea, including traveler’s diarrhea, and can inhibit the effects of certain bacterial toxins in the gut 510. Studies show that the levels of salicylate and bismuth in the blood after recommended doses are well below toxic thresholds, supporting its safety profile for acute and short-term use 23.

Additional Notes on Use

Bismuth subsalicylate can interact with certain dietary components to form water-soluble products that may have additional antimicrobial activity . While generally safe, rare cases of side effects such as esophageal irritation have been reported with chronic or excessive use .

Conclusion

The active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol is bismuth subsalicylate, a compound with a unique chemical structure and proven effectiveness for gastrointestinal relief. It works by converting to salicylic acid and bismuth salts in the gut, providing antisecretory, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects, while maintaining a strong safety record when used as directed 235810.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Structure of the active ingredient bismuth in Pepto-Bismol revealed

Advanced electron microscopy techniques have revealed the structure of the century-old active pharmaceutical ingredient bismuth subsalicylate, providing a major step towards understanding its properties.

2022·

0citations

Bismuth subsalicylate: history, chemistry, and safety.

Pepto-Bismol is a safe and effective treatment for acute conditions and extended dosing periods, with minimal bismuth absorption and low salicylate toxicity.

Highly Cited

1990·

132citations

·D. Bierer

Salicylate absorption from a bismuth subsalicylate preparation

Pepto-Bismol effectively absorbs salicylate, with peak plasma levels reached 0.5 to 3 hours after ingestion, and a linear relationship between dose and recovery in urine.

Non-RCT

1981·

29citations

·S. Feldman et al.

Structure of the active pharmaceutical ingredient bismuth subsalicylate

Advanced electron microscopy techniques, such as three-dimensional electron diffraction and scanning transmission electron microscopy, can reveal the structure of active pharmaceutical ingredients like bismuth subsalicylate, aiding in drug discovery.

2021·

21citations

·E. Svensson Grape et al.

Antisecretory and antiinflammatory properties of bismuth subsalicylate.

Bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol, effectively inhibits fluid accumulation in the intestine during infection with bacteria or toxins, with synergistic effects in preventing cholera toxin-induced fluid accumulation.

Non-RCTAnimal Study

1990·

39citations

·C. Ericsson et al.

Fascinating chemistry findings of 2022

This year, researchers cracked the century-old mystery of Pepto-Bismol's structure and developed blood pressure tattoos to provide a more accurate blood pressure monitoring method.

2022·

0citations

·Krystal Vasquez

Use of over the counter oral relief aids or dietary supplements for the ring-opening polymerization of lactide.

Pepto-Bismol® is the most active and comparable to tin(II) octanoate in melt ring-opening polymerization of lactide, suggesting it could be an alternative to commercially used tin(II) octanoate.

2013·

10citations

·Vagulejan Balasanthiran et al.

Interaction of Bismuth Subsalicylate with Fruit Juices, Ascorbic Acid, and Thiol-Containing Substrates To Produce Soluble Bismuth Products Active against Clostridium difficile

Bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol, interacts with fruit juices, ascorbic acid, and thiol-containing substrates to produce water-soluble products with activity against Clostridium difficile.

2005·

16citations

·D. E. Mahony et al.

Acute Esophageal Necrosis: A Case of Black Esophagus Associated with Bismuth Subsalicylate Ingestion

Chronic use of bismuth subsalicylate, found in Pepto-Bismol, may cause acute esophageal necrosis, a rare but potentially fatal condition.

Case Report

2014·

7citations

·Jean Abed et al.

New remedy for traveler's diarrhea.

Subsalicylate bismuth suspension, found in commercial Pepto-Bismol, effectively prevents traveler's diarrhea in students from the United States, with a recommended dose of 0.5 mg/kg per day for up to 10 days.

RCT

1978·

0citations

·M. Annexton

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