bismuth subsalicylate

Commonly known as Pepto-Bismol, bismuth-subsalicylate began being sold in 1900 as a remedy for infant diarrhea under the name "Bismosal” –That is, until it was renamed Pepto-Bismol in 1919. Bismuth subsalicylate is used as an antacid and antidiarrheal, and also to treat some other gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea. There are, of course, some adverse effects that should be taken into consideration. For one, Bismuth subsalicylate 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 colon to form bismuth sulfide. Besides, long-term use may lead to accumulation and toxicity. You need to also remember that children should not take medication with bismuth subsalicylate while recovering from influenza or chicken pox. In addition, it is not recommended for nursing mothers to use this medication, because small amounts of it are excreted in human breast milk, posing therefore a theoretical risk of Reye's syndrome to nursing children.