Pregnant women have special health needs and it can be difficult to know what is safe to take and what isn’t. During pregnancy, medication may be necessary to treat a variety of health conditions. Pepto Bismol is one such medication that is known to provide relief from many gastrointestinal issues, such as indigestion, heartburn, and nausea. This begs the question: is it safe to take Pepto Bismol while pregnant? In this blog post, I will share my experience with taking Pepto Bismol during pregnancy, my research on the safety of the medication, and the recommendations of my care team. I hope that this post will provide other pregnant women with insight into the safety and potential risks of taking Pepto Bismol while pregnant.
I Took Pepto Bismol During Pregnancy: What Should I Do?
Many people seek relief from heartburn and stomach discomfort from Pepto Bismol or other brands of the drug known as bismuth subsalicylate, which is bubblegum pink and soothing to the stomach.
Both of these conditions are extremely prevalent during pregnancy, making Pepto Bismol the obvious choice to treat symptoms.
The information that Pepto Bismol is not recommended during pregnancy shocks many women. The FDA advises against using bismuth subsalicylate because it can increase the risk of bleeding, especially after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Increased risk of bleeding becomes a bigger safety concern as your due date approaches since excess bleeding can lead to complications during delivery (source: American Family Physician).
Hearing this advice can undoubtedly be frightening, especially if you used the medication while pregnant. There is probably no immediate cause for alarm if you took Pepto Bismol before you realized you were pregnant or once (or more frequently) before realizing it is not recommended.
While it is advisable to avoid bismuth subsalicylate during pregnancy, you should be aware that none of its ingredients are specifically harmful to you or your developing child.
Rather, one of the compounds, subsalicylate, is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). NSAIDs increase the risk of bleeding, which is why they are best to avoid as your delivery date nears (source: American Family Physician).
The first (and arguably hardest) thing to remember to do after taking Pepto Bismol is not to freak out. Using Pepto Bismol during pregnancy is not necessarily going to result in complications, just like using other substances that are not advised. It’s likely that both you and your child will live long, healthy lives.
Have a conversation with your doctor if you regularly take Pepto Bismol, especially if your pregnancy is about to end. To determine how much of the medication is in your body, they might want to monitor you a little more closely during delivery and/or perform some bloodwork.
Additionally, Pepto Bismol is promoted as an over-the-counter remedy for diarrhea. The best course of action if you have diarrhea is to contact your doctor. The common symptom of other conditions, such as a foodborne illness, is diarrhea. Diarrhea that is not treated can lead to dehydration.
To lessen a patient’s symptoms, doctors may advise a combination of medications and lifestyle modifications.
Lack of safety research is the main worry when taking any medication during pregnancy. Due to the potential risks to both the mother and the unborn child, it is unethical to administer drug tests to pregnant women.
People should always consult their doctor before taking any medication while pregnant due to the constantly changing situation.
Due to the salicylate nature of Pepto-Bismol, which is similar to aspirin, it may not be safe to take while pregnant. This class of drugs has anti-inflammatory properties and is known to have bleeding-related side effects.
When people take salicylates for a long time or more than is recommended, it is more likely that they will experience birth abnormalities.
Can I take Pepto Bismol while breastfeeding?
It is advised that nursing mothers avoid bismuth subsalicylate and instead use an alternative medication to treat diarrhea and upset stomach. A mother’s bloodstream contains roughly the same amount of salicylate after taking Pepto Bismol as it would after taking a dose of regular aspirin. Salicylates enter breast milk. Salicylate may cause negative effects if it is absorbed by a nursing infant. There are several different over-the-counter remedies for diarrhea or upset stomach, including loperamide (Imodium®) and antacids.
It is possible to overdose, and the salicylate content is typically what causes toxic effects. The elderly, those with kidney disease, and those who already take aspirin or other salicylates may be at greater risk for side effects. GI tract absorption of bismuth makes bismuth toxicity unlikely.
Among the signs of salicylate toxicity are nausea, vomiting, fever, confusion, excessive sleepiness, rapid breathing, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). These symptoms may indicate that an adult should seek medical attention if they consume a large dose of Pepto Bismol all at once (more than the amount in a full bottle of tablets or liquid). An ER will likely be required for a child who accidentally consumes too much or for someone who intentionally harms themselves by taking Pepto Bismol. If someone has too much Pepto, calling Poison Control will help determine what to do next.
Pay close attention to the dosing instructions on product labels to prevent toxic effects from bismuth subsalicylate. The maximum dose of Pepto Bismol regular strength (4200 mg daily) is 8 doses per day for no more than two days. You should be able to stay well within the safe range and prevent toxicity by following these precautions.