Are you breastfeeding but have to deal with occasional digestive problems like heartburn and upset stomach? While this is quite common among many nursing mothers, you have to agree with me that it’s almost like a nightmare. Luckily, with drugs like Pepto Bismol available, you can quickly recover.
Now, you are probably wondering, how long after taking Pepto Bismol can I breastfeed? Well, just like when you take Aspirin in low doses, you might want to wait for 1-2 hours before breastfeeding. This is because, similar to aspirin, Pepto Bismol contains salicylates which might be passed to your breast milk.
But wait, is it even safe for you to take Pepto Bismol while breastfeeding? If not, why should you then avoid taking the drug? Let me assure you that you can find the answers to all your questions right here. So, read on.
Overview of Pepto Bismol
Pepto Bismol is an antacid or simply an over-the-counter drug commonly used to treat various gastrointestinal disorders. It contains bismuth subsalicylate as its main active ingredient, which explains its antibacterial, antidiarrheal and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, you can use it when you have conditions like:
- Heartburn
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Bloating and belching
- Indigestion and feeling of fullness
But how exactly does this drug work? Once you take it by mouth, it reacts with hydrochloric acid in your stomach to ease common stomach problems. It also works by killing bacteria that cause diarrhea and preventing fluid loss during diarrhea.
Although Pepto Bismol is formulated to be taken by mouth, you can get it in multiple forms. Simply, you can choose from chewable tablets, an oral liquid, oral tablets, or oral liquid capsules. However, each option contains different servings of bismuth subsalicylate.
Is It Safe to Take Pepto Bismol While Breastfeeding?
Overall, most medical experts appear to agree that it’s not safe to take Pepto Bismol if you are breastfeeding. Unfortunately, there is very little research about the safety of this drug on breastfeeding women. So, I suggest you talk with your doctor first if you plan to take it.
Why Should You Avoid Pepto Bismol While Breastfeeding?
Even with the many Pepto-Bismol uses, you might want to avoid this drug while breastfeeding for the following reasons.
1. Exposes your baby to the salicylates
The main concern about taking Pepto Bismol while nursing is that you may expose your baby to the salicylates. You see, Pepto Bismol contains salicylate compounds. Other types of salicylates like aspirin are known to pass into breast milk but in small amounts.
As a result, it is less likely to cause any side effects to your baby when breastfeeding. But if taken in higher doses, the salicylates may have harmful effects on your baby. However, more research is needed to establish whether or not Pepto-Bismol does pass into breast milk.
2. Interacts with other medications
Just like other drugs, Pepto Bismol can interfere with some specific medications. For instance, medicine for diabetes, blood thinners, or even medicine for gout. If you are on any of these drugs and nursing, you must avoid taking Pepto Bismol. Or better, consult with your doctor for the best solution.
3. Not free from side effects
This drug is not risk-free, which is another good reason you must avoid taking it if you are breastfeeding. If you fail to follow the recommended Pepto-Bismol dosage for adults, you may experience unwanted side effects like:
- Continuing diarrhea
- Severe constipation
- Continuing or severe stomach pain
- Ringing in ears
- Continuing nausea and vomiting
- Headache and drowsiness
- Muscle weakness and trembling
How Long After Taking Pepto Bismol Can I Breastfeed?
If your doctor prescribes you Pepto Bismol, you should wait for 1 to 2 hours before breastfeeding again. This is approximately the same time recommended when you take aspirin in low doses while nursing. During this time, the salicylates in your breast milk will have reduced.
But remember, there is not enough research that the salicylates in Pepto Bismol usually pass into breast milk like in the case of Aspirin. Therefore, more research is needed to determine how long it will take you to breastfeed your baby after taking this drug.
What Are The Pepto Bismol Safe Alternative For Breastfeeding
Because of the possibility of passing salicylate to your baby through breastmilk, your doctor may prescribe to you some Pepto-Bismol-safe alternatives. These alternatives fall into two categories:
1. Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs
If you want to treat diarrhea, a safe Bismuth subsalicylate alternative would be loperamide. But if you are suffering from heartburn, upset stomach, or acid reflux, you might consider alternatives like:
- Omeprazole (Prilosec)
- Famotidine (Pepcid)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Nizatidine (Axid)
- Anti-acids like Maalox or Tums
- OTC magnesium hydroxide or magnesium carbonate
However, before using the above Pepto-Bismol alternatives, you must consult with a professional healthcare practitioner.
2. Home remedies
If you don’t want to take any drugs, you can consider alternative natural remedies for Pepto-Bismol. You could try remedies such as:
- Ginger or peppermint tea
- Organic apple cider vinegar with mother
- Baking soda and lemon solution
- Activated charcoal
- Vitamin B6 supplements
- Aloe vera juice
But if the above remedies don’t provide you the much-needed relief, you should see a doctor and get a prescription.
FAQs
Below you can find answers to some commonly asked questions about Pepto-Bismol uses, safety, side effects, and even dosage.
What happens if I overdose on Pepto-Bismol?
You must seek emergency medical attention immediately. Overdosing can lead to severe Pepto-Bismol side effects like weakness, confusion, problems with coordination, or tremors. In extreme cases, you may suffer from hearing loss, unconsciousness, or even death.
How long does it take for Pepto-Bismol to work?
Within 30 to 60 minutes after taking your Pepto-Bismol, you should start feeling some kind of relief. Therefore, if you feel the need to, you can take another dose after this period.
Will Pepto hurt my baby?
As I’ve already said, there is no sufficient evidence to prove that Pepto Bismol is not safe for use when nursing. Also, the little research available does not indicate that the drug can harm your baby during breastfeeding.
Is it normal for my tongue to get discolored after using Pepto Bismol?
Yes. Nothing to worry though, because the discoloration is harmless and usually goes away on its own.
How do I take Pepto Bismol?
You can take it anytime if you are experiencing symptoms of an upset stomach or indigestion. However, you must stick to the recommended Pepto-Bismol dosage for adults, which should not exceed 16 tablets within 24 hours.
What safe Pepto-Bismol alternative can I take when having diarrhea?
If breastfeeding, the safest drug to use is loperamide because of its poor absorption by the gut. Besides, it only passes to breast milk in small amounts.
Wrapping Up
While breastfeeding, it is recommended that you don’t take any over-the-counter medication without your doctor’s prescription. This includes Pepto Bismol because it is not considered safe for the baby, although there is not enough research to support these claims.
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