Bismuth Subsalicylate
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Bismuth Subsalicylate during a consultation by Dr Noor. Bismuth Subsalicylate for pets is provided by our mobile vet Perth service.”
Bismuth Subsalicylate for pets
(biz-muth sub-sal-iss-ih-layt)
Description:
This medicine is used to help control diarrhea.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Pepto-Bismol®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals:
- oral paste in 5%, 10%, and 20% strengths
- an oral liquid (suspension) at 1.75%
- 262 mg tablets
- For people:
- different over-the-counter (no prescription needed) regular-strength and extra-strength oral liquids (suspensions)
- 262 mg tablets and caplets
- 262 mg chewable tablets
This handout does not include every possible detail about this medicine. It is meant to answer common questions, but it does not replace medical advice. If you need more details or have questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
Key Information
- This medicine can be given with food or without food. If your animal throws up or seems unwell after getting it on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat. If the vomiting does not stop, contact your veterinarian.
- This medicine is used for diarrhea. It can also be one part of “triple therapy,” which is a three-medicine plan used to treat Helicobacter spp infections in the stomach and intestines.
- Most animals handle bismuth subsalicylate well and side effects are uncommon, but extra care is needed when using it in cats.
- Your animal’s poop may look darker for a short time. This is not a concern unless your animal also seems unwell.
- You can buy bismuth subsalicylate without a prescription. Do not give bismuth subsalicylate (or any other non-prescription medicines) to your animal unless a veterinarian has told you it is appropriate.
How is this medication useful?
Bismuth subsalicylate is used to treat diarrhea in dogs, cats, horses, and cattle. It is also used as one part of “triple therapy” to clear Helicobacter spp infections in the stomach and intestines.
It helps by reducing how much fluid is released into the stomach and intestines, which can help slow or stop diarrhea. It also provides some protective effects and has some ability to act against bacteria.
In some situations, veterinarians may prescribe and use products with this medicine in other animal species or for other health problems. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best option.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Share the following information with your veterinarian so you can make treatment choices together.
- Other medicines can affect bismuth subsalicylate. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Also include how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had in the past.
- If your animal has had treatment before for the same problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist if your animal has ever had medicine-related problems before, including allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
You should usually see improvement within 1 to 2 days. After that, your animal’s signs should continue to get better.
This medicine does not last long in the body. Its effect ends within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
This drug SHOULD NOT be used in patients:
If your animal has any of the issues listed below, talk with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
- That have had an allergy to this medicine, or to aspirin, or to NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which are pain and inflammation medicines such as carprofen or meloxicam.
- That have an ulcer in the stomach or intestines.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in:
- Cats, because they may be more sensitive and may react strongly to bismuth subsalicylate. If it is used in cats, a veterinarian should monitor the cat closely.
- Animals that already have problems with blood clotting or bleeding.
- Animals that need belly x-rays (radiographs), because bismuth can affect the results.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that are usually not serious include:
- Gray-black or green-black poop. This is expected and is not a concern. However, if the poop looks tarry black, or if your animal seems low-energy or is not eating, contact your veterinarian right away.
- Constipation. If constipation is severe, gets worse, or does not go away, contact your veterinarian.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
Too much bismuth subsalicylate can be dangerous, especially for cats. If you see an overdose happen or think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian immediately or call an animal poison control service for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
To get the best results, give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian instructed. Always read the prescription label so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- If you are using the liquid form, shake it well before giving it.
- You may give this medicine with food or without food. If your animal vomits or seems unwell after getting it on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
- Unless your veterinarian tells you otherwise, do not give this medicine within 2 hours of giving any other medicines.
- If you are using a liquid, measure it carefully. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or dosing syringes.
- Keeping the medicine in the refrigerator may make it taste better.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for advice on how to dose it and how to make medicine time less stressful.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it. You may need prescription refills before the full treatment is finished. Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. Then wait the usual amount of time between doses that your veterinarian recommended before giving the next one. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container, or in another approved container meant for organizing doses (for example, a pill minder).
- Store it at room temperature.
- For the liquid form, refrigeration may make it taste better.
If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a custom-made version (a compounded product) for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special handling steps are needed unless you are allergic to this medicine. Wash your hands after you handle any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink drain.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program:
- combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter so it is less appealing to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching through trash
- put the mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks
- then place it in the regular trash
- Do not keep leftover medicine for later use, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Bismuth subsalicylate can be purchased without a prescription. Do not give anti-diarrhea medicines (or any other non-prescription medicines) to your animal unless you have first checked with a veterinarian.
- Some animal competitions may not allow the use of this medicine. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine.
- Do not switch between different forms (for example, changing brands, or changing from tablets to liquid) unless you first speak with a veterinarian or pharmacist, because the amount of medicine in each dose may differ.
- If your animal is being treated for diarrhea, make sure fresh, clean water is always available.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”