U.S. Brand Names

Bismatrol Maximum Strength [OTC]; Bismatrol [OTC]; Diotame® [OTC]; Kao-Tin [OTC]; Kaopectate® Extra Strength [OTC]; Kaopectate® [OTC]; Kapectolin [OTC]; Maalox® Total Stomach Relief® [OTC]; Peptic Relief [OTC]; Pepto Relief [OTC]; Pepto-Bismol® Maximum Strength [OTC]; Pepto-Bismol® [OTC]

Mexican Brand Names

A-Migdobis; Facidmol; Subsalicilato de Bismuto

Dosage Forms

• This medicine is available as a caplet, a chewable tablet, and a liquid.

Pharmacologic Category

Antidiarrheal

Is it safe for my child to take this medicine?

• Not if your child has an allergy to bismuth, salicylates, or any other part of this medicine.

• Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• Not if your child has any of the following conditions: Bleeding problems, chickenpox, or flu symptoms.

Why does my child need this medicine?

• This medicine is used to treat diarrhea.

• This medicine is used to treat heartburn and indigestion.

How does this medicine work?

• Bismuth protects the stomach.

How is this medicine given?

• Give this medicine with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Chewable tablet may be crushed and mixed with food or chewed. Encourage your child not to swallow whole.

• A liquid (suspension) is available if your child cannot swallow pills. Shake well before use.

• Encourage your child to drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid every day unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.

How long does this medicine take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this medicine.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your child's regular schedule.

• Do not give a double dose or extra doses.

• Many times this medicine is given on an as needed basis.

What safety measures should I take while my child is using this medicine?

• Use caution in children younger than 12 years old. Talk with healthcare provider.

• If your child has kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If your child has had an ulcer or bleeding from the stomach or intestines, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Talk with healthcare provider before giving your child aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like products, blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Tongue discoloration.

• Metallic taste. This is usually reversible.

• Headache.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• For the occurrence of side effects.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

• If any of this information causes you to be concerned, any of the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine.

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• If your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior.

• If your child has significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• If your child has ringing in ears.

• If your child has unusual bruising or bleeding.

• If your child develops a rash.

• No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse.

How should I store and/or dispose of this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect caplets and tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear an allergy identification bracelet at all times.

• This medicine is available without a prescription.

• This medicine should be thrown out when your child no longer needs it or if the medicine becomes outdated.

• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Many medications interact with other medications. Keep a list of all your child's medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to your child's healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

• Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.

Created: 2007-07-03 10:20:19.0

Modified: 2008-04-30 11:11:24.0

Pedi-PALS^TM © (1977)-(2008) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.