pepto bismol and the pill

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2004
pepto bismol and the pill
3
Thu, 10-21-2004 - 9:29am
I had sex with no back up last night, and I had taken pepto bismol the day before for an upset stomach (I didn't vomit or have diarrhea within 2 hours of taking the pill--it was about 7 hours later, so I should be in the clear on that front).I was just looking at the bottle and realized that pepto bismol's active ingredient is bismuth subsalicylate, which is a mild antibiotic. Could it interfere with my pill's effectiveness? Is there anything I can do now to reduce my risk of pregnancy? Should I consider emergency bcp? Help!


Edited 10/21/2004 9:46 am ET ET by alexandra_s2004
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 10-21-2004 - 10:43am

Hi alexandra_s2004, welcome back!

An antibiotic? I thought bismuth subsalicylate was an antacid. I don’t think Pepto-Bismol will decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. Very few over-the-counter meds will, but you do have to be careful of herbals and dietary supplements. I think you are ok but, just to be sure, if I were you, I’d ask my pharmacist, s/he will know. Thanks for posting.

Take care,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 10-21-2004 - 1:37pm

Pepto Bismol definitely doens't affect birth control--I'm a regular user (of both). Bismuth subsalicylate is not an antibiotic, it is a mineral, it can interfere with the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics and just a few other prescription drugs, and is used in conjunction with antibiotics for treating ulcers caused by the H. pylori bacteria.

No problem! ;)

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-07-2004
Fri, 10-22-2004 - 2:00pm

Thanks ladies.

I wanted to follow-up with the word from my pharmacist, who said that while there are no documented interactions between Pepto Bismol and my bcp, there is a concern when they're taken too close together. She advised that, since Pepto Bismol is known to block absorption of other medicines if they are taken at the same time or too close together, it's a good idea to space any medication at least 2 hours away from Pepto Bismol.

P.S.
According to WebMD, bismuth subsalicylate is a mild antibiotic, but they only talk about it as a component of Helidac (Bismuth Subsalicylate, Metronidazole, And Tetracycline)http://my.webmd.com/hw/drug_data/d04061a1.asp?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}
(I knew I read it somewhere, though I guess on its own it isn't a major concern.)