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Bismuth subsalicylate is a generic medicine to treat stomach discomforts like heartburn and diarrhea, indigestion.
- It is an antacid and antidiarrhea medication.
- The chemical formula of Bismuth subsalicylate is C7H5BiO4.
- Bismuth subsalicylate, an insoluble salicylic acid salt linked to a trivalent bismuth cation, has antibacterial and gastroprotective effects.
- Each molecule of bismuth subsalicylate has 58% bismuth and 42% salicylate by weight.
- Bismuth subsalicylate has been around for almost a century, being developed in 1901 for hygiene reasons and to prevent cholera infections.
- It is an ‘over-the-counter drug’ which means no prescription is needed to buy the drug.
- Pink-bismuth, also known as 'Pepto-Bismol', has gained popularity as a generic trademark name.
- Bismuth Subsalicylate is a derivative of salicylic acid. It works as an anti-inflammatory and bactericidal substance.
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Key Terms: Bismuth salicylate, Bismuth Subsalicylate, Bismuth, Salicylic acid, Diarrhoea, Indigestion, Pepto-Bismol, Chemical formula, Bactericidal substance
Bismuth Subsalicylate
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Bismuth subsalicylate is an active antacid having the chemical formula C7H5BiO4 sold under the trade name Pepto-Bismol.
Bismuth subsalicylate, an insoluble bismuth salt, is commonly used in the treatment of syphilis.
- It is an effective agent, despite it is slowly and inconsistently absorbed.
- Bismuth subsalicylate is a bismuth salt with several uses in medicine.
- Bismuth is an antidiarrheal agent that has antisecretory and antibacterial properties.
- It may also have anti-inflammatory effects.
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Bismuth Subsalicylate Structure
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The structure of Bismuth Subsalicylate is shown below
Physical Properties of Bismuth Subsalicylate
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The physical properties of Bismuth Subsalicylate are given in the tabulated form below-
| Properties | Description |
|---|---|
| Odour | Odourless |
| Appearance | White, powdery |
| Complexity | 173 |
| Molar mass | 362.093 g/mol |
| Taste | No taste |
| Solubility | Soluble in acids, alkalis, and oil Insoluble in water or ethanol |
| Monoisotopic mass | 363.00701 |
| Topological Polar surface area | 36.5 |
| Stability | Stable in the air but unstable by light |
| Density | 0.43 gm/cc |
| Melting Point | 350°c |
Chemical Properties of Bismuth Subsalicylate
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The following are the chemical properties of Bismuth Subsalicylate
- In reaction with Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Bismuth subsalicylate forms 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and bismuth chloride.
C7H5BiO4 + HCl → C7H6O4 + BiCl
- It forms certain microscopic prisms that can be decomposed by boiling water and alkalis into more basic salts.
Bismuth Subsalicylate Action Mechanism
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Bismuth subsalicylate medication is thought to be a combination of the following:
- The intestinal wall stimulates fluid and electrolyte absorption.
- As a salicylate, it inhibits prostaglandin G/H synthase 1/2, which reduces gastrointestinal and intestinal liner.
- Escherichia coli-related gastrointestinal harm has been reduced.
- A number of its components, including salicylic acid, have bactericidal properties.
- Bactericidal action is performed by an oligodynamic effect, in which small heavy metal elements such as bismuth harm a variety of bacteria species.
Uses of Bismuth Subsalicylate
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Bismuth subsalicylate has the following uses:
- As a derivative of salicylic acid, it works as an anti-inflammatory and bactericidal substance.
- It also functions as an antacid.
- It is used in the treatment of the following discomforts-Indigestion, Heartburn, Gastrointestinal issues, Nausea, Diarrhea, Stomach ulcers, and upset stomach.
- It can be used as an effective fungicide; especially for the blue mold disease of tobacco.
- It is used in the treatment of syphilis, especially in the case of penicillin-resistant patients.
- It is used in peptic ulcers and gastritis.
- It is used for symptomatic treatment of diarrhea in small and large animals.
Adverse Effects
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Bismuth subsalicylate may have some adverse effects in long-term consumption or over-consumption. Here are a few adverse effects of bismuth subsalicylate consumption-
- It causes a black tongue and black stool.
- In some consumers, it combines with sulfur in the saliva or colon. As a result, bismuth sulfide is formed.
- Bismuth sulfide is highly insoluble in the system although the discoloration caused by it is harmless and temporary.
- Long-term use causes accumulation and toxicity which may lead to salicylism which is also known as aspirin poisoning.
- Children and nursing mothers should not take bismuth subsalicylate while recovering from influenza or fever or chickenpox as it possesses a theoretical risk of Reye Syndrome.
- It is also very toxic to cats.
Things to Remember
- Bismuth subsalicylate is a generic medicine to treat stomach discomforts like heartburn and diarrhea, indigestion.
- It is also sold under the brand names of Pepto-Bismol and BisBacter.
- The empirical formula of Bismuth Subsalicylate is C7H5BiO4 and Its IUPAC name is 2-Hydroxy-2H,4H-benzo[d]1,3-dioxa-2-bismacyclohexan-4-one.
- It is a white powder, a fluffy substance which is tasteless and odorless.
- It stimulates the fluids and electrolytes absorption capability of the intestinal wall cells.
- It reduces the hypermotility of the stomach
- As a derivative of salicylic acid, it works as an anti-inflammatory and bactericidal substance. It also functions as an antacid.
- It alleviates discomfort regarding gastrointestinal indigestion, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, ulcers, etc.
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Sample Questions
Ques. What is the chemical formula of Bismuth subsalicylate? (1 Mark)
Ans. The chemical formula for Bismuth subsalicylate is C7H5BiO4.
Ques. Is bismuth subsalicylate a charcoal? (2 Marks)
Ans. Bismuth subsalicylate, kaolin-pectin, activated charcoal, magnesium, aluminum, and barium-containing products are commonly used to bind bacteria and their toxins in acute vomiting or diarrhea while also protecting the GI mucosa.
Ques. What is Bismuth subsalicylate? (2 Marks)
Ans. Bismuth subsalicylate is an antacid elixir medication that is used for the treatment of temporary stomach discomforts such as diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, indigestion, and other gastrointestinal ailments.
Ques. How is Bismuth Subsalicylate administered to the patients? (1 Mark)
Ans. Bismuth subsalicylate is administered orally.
Ques. Why is Bismuth subsalicylate so effective? (2 Marks)
Ans. Bismuth subsalicylate or Pepto-Bismol functions by shielding the stomach's inner lining from the stomach and intestine from the stomach acids. It also acts as an antacid; therefore, it reduces the excess levels of stomach acid to alleviate the pain.
Ques. How does Bismuth subsalicylate work on diarrhea? (2 Marks)
Ans. Bismuth subsalicylate is usually used in adults and children aged 12 years and older for the treatment of heartburn, nausea, and other stomach upsets. It works by stimulating the flow of fluids and electrolytes into the intestine and reducing inflammation within the intestine. It also may kill the diarrhoea-causing species.
Ques. Does Bismuth subsalicylate kill good bacteria? (2 Marks)
Ans. There are different types of stomach aches that are caused due to food poisoning. So, it is a constant battle between good and bad bacteria. Bismuth subsalicylate destroys the invading pathogens.
Ques. What are the uses of Bismuth subsalicylate? (3 Marks)
Ans. The uses of Bismuth subsalicylate are given below-
- As a derivative of salicylic acid, it works as an anti-inflammatory and bactericidal substance. It is used in the treatment of the following discomforts Indigestion, Heartburn, Gastrointestinal issues, Nausea, Diarrhea, Stomach ulcers, and Upset stomach.
- It can be used as an effective fungicide; especially for the blue mold disease of tobacco.
- It is used in the treatment of syphilis, especially in the case of penicillin-resistant patients.
Ques. What are some adverse effects caused by bismuth subsalicylate? (3 Marks)
Ans. There are certain adverse effects caused by bismuth subsalicylate. These effects are-
- It causes a black tongue and black stool.
- Long-term use causes accumulation and toxicity which may lead to salicylism which is also known as aspirin poisoning.
- Children and nursing mothers should not take bismuth subsalicylate while recovering from influenza or fever or chickenpox as it possesses a theoretical risk of Reye Syndrome.
Ques. What is the mechanism of action of Pepto-Bismol or Bismuth subsalicylate? (4 Marks)
Ans. The mechanism of action of Pepto-Bismol is as follows-
- It stimulates the fluids and electrolytes absorption capability of the intestinal wall cells.
- As a salicylate, it inhibits prostaglandin G/H synthase ½ thereby reducing the irritation of the intestinal lining or stomach.
- It reduces the hypermotility of the stomach
- It efficiently inhibits adhesion and fibrogenesis by E. coli in the gut.
- It exhibits bactericidal effects through its component of salicylic acid and a so-called oligodynamic effect in which a small amount of Bismuth damages several bacterial species.
Bismuth subsalicylate gets hydrolyzed in the gut to bismuth oxychloride and salicylic acid or another compound called bismuth hydroxide (less common). Bismuth oxychloride and bismuth hydroxide are both thought to have bactericidal effects while salicylic acid works on enterotoxigenic E. coli.
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