Bismuth subsalicylate

Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-hydroxy-2H,4H-benzo[d]1,3-dioxa-2-bismacyclohexan-4-one
Identifiers
CAS number	14882-18-9
ATC code	none
PubChem	16682734
ChemSpider	17215772
Chemical data
Formula	C7H5BiO4
Mol. mass	362.093 g/mol
SMILES	eMolecules & PubChem
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	Oral
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Bismuth subsalicylate, with a chemical formula C₇H₅BiO₄,^[1] is a drug used to treat nausea, heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea, and other temporary discomforts of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. Commonly known as pink bismuth, it is the active ingredient in popular medications such as Pepto-Bismol and modern (since 2003) Kaopectate.

[edit] Pharmacology

As a derivative of salicylic acid, bismuth salicylate displays anti-inflammatory action and also acts as an antacid.

[edit] Adverse effects and contraindications

There are some adverse effects. It can cause a black tongue and black stools in some users of the drug, when it combines with trace amounts of sulfur in saliva and the gastrointestinal tract.^[2] This discoloration is temporary and harmless.

Some of the risks of salicylism can apply to the use of bismuth subsalicylate.^[3][4]

Children should not take medication with bismuth subsalicylate while recovering from influenza or chicken pox, as epidemiologic evidence points to an association between the use of salicylate-containing medications during certain viral infections and the onset of Reye's syndrome.^[5] For the same reason, it is typically recommended that nursing mothers not use medication containing bismuth subsalicylate (such as Pepto-Bismol) because small amounts of the medication are excreted in breast milk and pose a theoretical risk of Reye's syndrome to nursing children.^[6]

[edit] Radioactivity

While bismuth is technically radioactive, its half life is so long, on the order of hundreds of billions of years,^[7] that its radioactivity presents absolutely no threat under all medical and other ordinary purposes.

[edit] Decomposition

Bismuth slag from decomposition of Pepto-Bismol

Bismuth subsalicyclate is the only active ingredient in an over the counter medication that will actually leave a shiny metal slag behind after being completely burnt with a blow torch.^[8]

[edit] References