|  | Conditions Treatments | Digestive Health

Side Effects Of Bismuth Subsalicylate

Bismuth subsalicylate is a medication that relieves diarrhea or loose stools as well as heartburn, indigestion, and stomach upset. There are many forms of bismuth subsalicylate available, including over-the-counter versions like Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate as well as prescription versions like Helidac. Despite its effectiveness, bismuth subsalicylate is not for everyone as it presents several risks for side effects and complications in some patients.

  1. Common Side Effects

    • Approximately 12 percent of bismuth subsalicylate users report nausea, making this the most common side effect of the drug. Around 6 percent of patients actually report increases in diarrhea and abdominal pain while taking the drug. Black, tarry stools are also common, occurring in at least 3 percent of users. More than 2 percent of people who take bismuth subsalicylate experience an increased incidence of upper respiratory infections.

    Other Side Effects

    • Bismuth subsalicylate also has the potential to cause a number of other annoying, but not dangerous, side effects. Additional gastrointestinal side effects of the drug include constipation, loss of appetite, vomiting, discoloration of your tongue, changes in taste, flatulence and itching or soreness around your anus. Some patients experience neurological side effects while taking bismuth subsalicylate, such as dizziness, headaches, weakness, insomnia and tingling in the extremities. Body pains, ringing in your ears and sinus infections are also possible side effects of bismuth subsalicylate.

    Drug Interactions

    • There are some medications which produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with bismuth subsalicylate. For example, valproic acid, methotrexate and aspirin have the potential to cause toxic effects when combined with bismuth subsalicylate. The drug also reduces the effectiveness of insulin, causing dangerous increases in blood sugar levels in some patients. Additionally, bismuth subsalicylate decreases the effects of a number of other drugs, including corticosteroids, the diuretic spironolactone and tetracycline antibiotics.

    Risks

    • Though rare, bismuth subsalicylate has the potential to cause serious health complications. Some patients develop severe gastrointestinal side effects, such as intestinal blockages and rectal hemorrhaging. Infrequently, use of bismuth subsalicylate results in cardiovascular effects like hypertension, stroke and heart attack. Serious neurological side effects of the drug include seizures, nerve damage or pain and increased intercranial pressure. It is possible to experience a severe allergic reaction to bismuth subsalicylate, such as difficulty breathing, swelling of your face or extremities and anaphylactic shock. Infrequently, use of the drug causes shortages of blood platelets or red blood cells, causing shortness of breath, fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding around your brain.

    Considerations

    • Bismuth subsalicylate is not intended for use in children under the age of 12 due to the risk of Reye's Syndrome a life-threatening disease that attacks your entire body, especially your liver or brain. People over the age of 65 are more likely to experience serious side effects from bismuth subsalicylate than younger patients. If you have a history of kidney or liver disease, lupus or an allergy to aspirin, you should not take bismuth subsalicylate.

Digestive Health - Related Articles