Can you eat after taking Pepto Bismol? (5 Tips)
In this brief guide, we will answer the question, can you eat after taking Pepto Bismol? We will discuss what you can eat after taking Pepto Bismol and some uses, safety, and side effects of taking Pepto Bismol.
Can you eat after taking Pepto Bismol?
You can eat after taking Pepto Bismol. You can eat foods that are gentle on the stomach and will not worsen your digestive issues, such as bananas, purees, and bread. Pepto Bismol is used to treat diarrhea and digestive distress caused by overeating. Pepto Bismol can be taken with or without food.
What is Pepto Bismol?
Pepto Bismol is a popular over-the-counter drug to treat digestive problems. Pepto Bismol has the compound Bismuth Subsalicylate.
The drug has a distinct pink color and is available as a caplet, chewable tablet, and liquid.
How does Pepto Bismol work?
Pepto Bismol treats diarrhea by getting rid of diarrhea-causing bacteria and toxins produced by Escherichia coli. It increases the absorption of liquids by the lining of the intestines. It combats inflammation and prevents the release of inflammation-causing compounds.
Pepto Bismol also helps relieve other digestion-related conditions including, heartburn, nausea, gas, and belching.
Pepto Bismol is safe for adults and children of 12 and above to relieve the symptoms of diarrhea and related gastric issues. If you have severe diarrhea, be sure to drink plenty of water and, in case your symptoms do not go away in 2 days, consult your health practitioner.
For adults, the maximum dosage allowed is 8 in a day, while for children, it is 6.
What are some potential side effects of Pepto Bismol?
There are mild side effects that some people experience. The most prevailing side-effects are black stools and a black, hairy tongue.
Some rare side-effect is ringing in the ears and a loss of hearing.
If you experience extreme adverse reactions such as internal bleeding, seek prompt medical attention. Internal bleeding in the stomach and intestines are associated with severe cramps, bloody or dark, sticky stool, or vomit with black particles.
Also, children and teenagers who are suffering or recovering from chickenpox or the flu should not take Pepto Bismol because it can cause a rare yet life-threatening condition called Reye’s syndrome.
How to take Pepto Bismol?
Pepto Bismol comes in different strengths, labeled as Original Strength Liquid, Ultra-Strength Liquid, and Pepto Diarrhea Liquid. The dosage of Pepto Bismol varies with the strength. The dosage of Original Strength Liquid is 30 ml, while for Ultra-Strength Liquid and Pepto Diarrhea Liquid is 15 and 10 ml, respectively.
What other measures do you need to take alongside Pepto Bismol as a digestive aid?
- Diarrhea can leave a person dehydrated, so make sure to drink plenty of water and take ionic supplements.
- If your digestive distress does not go away in a day, consult a doctor. For a more severe form of digestive problems such as flu or infections, the doctor would give you prescription medicines.
- Follow a bland and light diet that incorporates foods that promote gut bacteria. Some foods you can stick to are crackers, bananas, rice, toast, and applesauce.
- Avoid smoking and drinking until you feel better. Smoking and drinking can cause high blood pressure. Nicotine in smoke can cause stool to be loose and stomach aches. Drinking is also heavy on the liver, thus make your digestive problems even worse.
Is Pepto Bismol safe for everyone?
Pepto Bismol is not suitable for people who are allergic to any of the ingredients in the medicine. Pepto Bismol must not be used if a person has had an adverse reaction to aspirin, amaranth, or aspartame before.
Pepto Bismol must not be taken by people who suffer from gout, blood clotting, diabetes, and phenylketonuria.
Pepto Bismol needs to be avoided by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers because of its uncertain safety.
The salicylates in Pepto Bismol can interact with other medicines. If you take blood thinners, tetracycline antibiotics, or medicine for either gout or diabetes then, do not take Pepto Bismol.
Do not take painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin together with Pepto Bismol.
Be sure to check in with your doctor if you experience;
- bloody stool
- mucous diarrhea
- a stomach ulcer
- fever
Avoid medicines that contain the compound Salicylate. Some of them include aspirin, salsalate, magnesium salicylate, choline salicylate, diflunisal, Ecotrin, Tricosal, and Trilisate.
What are the potential consequences of overdosing Pepto Bismol?
Overdose can cause conditions and signs that include extreme dizziness, ringing in ears, deafness, breathing irregularities, mental disorientation and confusion, and seizures.
If you experience any such symptoms or suspect a person is suffering from a drug overdose, call poison control and emergency services immediately.
In this brief guide, we answered the question, can you eat after taking Pepto Bismol? We discussed what you could eat after taking Pepto Bismol and some uses, safety, and side effects of taking Pepto Bismol.
