Same molecule as Pepto-Bismol
Nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea. One bottle addresses all five.
Pepto-Bismol Original Liquid 8oz. The only OTC medication that addresses 5 distinct GI symptoms through one active ingredient.
Ships within 1 to 2 business days from our pharmacy. Free shipping on subscriptions and orders over $50.
The protocol.
- Take 30mL (2 tablespoons) every 30 to 60 minutes as needed
- Maximum 8 doses (240mL) in 24 hours
- Shake well before each use
- For traveler's diarrhea prevention: 30mL four times daily before and during travel
- Your stool and tongue may turn black. This is normal and temporary. Not blood.
Safe for. Use with caution.
Safe for
- Adults and children 12 and over
- Occasional GI upset and travel diarrhea
- Heartburn, nausea, indigestion
- Antimicrobial GI defense while traveling
Use with caution
- Aspirin allergy. Contains salicylate.
- Children under 12 during viral illness. Reye's syndrome risk.
- Blood thinners. Salicylate has mild antiplatelet effect.
- Pregnancy. Consult physician before use.
- Fever or bloody stool present. Call Dr. Mike.
Before you buy just the tablet, look at this.
Fairview Gut Emergency Kit$18.99
- Pepto-Bismol 8oz
- Loperamide 24ct
- Simethicone 30ct
- Psyllium Fiber 425g
Individual total: $23.11 → Kit: $18.99 → You save $4.12.
Plus you skip the $50 minimum entirely.
Get the Complete Kit. Best ValueThis product is new to the shop. Verified customer reviews will appear here as they come in. Have a question before then? Ask Dr. Mike.
What chain pharmacies never explain.
The active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol, bismuth subsalicylate, does something remarkable: it operates through multiple mechanisms simultaneously, which is why this single product effectively addresses five distinct symptoms that typically require separate medications.
The pharmacology: bismuth subsalicylate forms a protective coating over the stomach and intestinal lining (addressing nausea, heartburn, and upset stomach). The salicylate component has mild anti inflammatory properties that reduce intestinal inflammation (addressing indigestion). And bismuth has direct antimicrobial activity against several GI pathogens, including Helicobacter pylori and common traveler's diarrhea bacteria, which explains its effectiveness against infectious diarrhea.
That multi mechanism action is why Pepto-Bismol is the gold standard for traveler's diarrhea, why it's used as part of H. pylori eradication therapy, and why it remains after 140 years of availability the most broadly useful GI medication in OTC history.
The one thing patients must know: bismuth turns stool and sometimes the tongue black or dark gray. This is completely normal, completely harmless, and completely temporary. It is the bismuth compound reacting with trace sulfur in saliva and stool. If you didn't know this and saw it for the first time, it would be terrifying. Dr. Mike is telling you now so it isn't.
I call Pepto-Bismol the Swiss Army knife of GI medicine. One active ingredient, five clinical indications. The mechanism I find most underappreciated is the antimicrobial effect. Bismuth subsalicylate has real activity against the bacteria that cause most cases of traveler's diarrhea, including E. coli strains. I recommend starting Pepto-Bismol at the first sign of GI distress when traveling, not after it's severe. Two safety points: if you're allergic to aspirin, avoid Pepto and use loperamide for diarrhea instead. And don't give it to children under 12 during viral illnesses because of the Reye's syndrome risk.
Dr. Mike Acheampong, PharmD, MPH. Fairview Pharmacy, Hattiesburg, MS.
Questions, answered.
Is the generic really the same as the brand?
Yes, by FDA requirement. Generic medications must contain the same active ingredient, at the same dose, in the same form, with the same route of administration as the brand name product. The FDA's bioequivalence standard requires generics to perform within 80 to 125 percent of the brand's absorption profile. Same active ingredient is not a marketing claim. It's a regulatory fact.
How soon will my order ship?
Orders ship within 1 to 2 business days from our pharmacy in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. You'll receive a tracking number once your package leaves the pharmacy. Free shipping on orders over $50. Kit purchases skip the $50 minimum entirely.
What is your return policy?
Unopened products in their original sealed packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery for a refund. For safety reasons, opened medications are not returnable. If something arrives damaged or incorrect, contact us within 7 days and we'll make it right.
Can I take this with my prescription medications?
Many OTC gut products interact with common prescriptions, particularly thyroid medication, blood thinners, certain antibiotics, and other PPIs. We strongly recommend a free pharmacist consultation before ordering if you take any prescription medication. Call us at the pharmacy. Free consultation, no appointment.
Is this safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Gut products vary significantly in pregnancy safety. Simethicone, calcium carbonate, and psyllium fiber are generally considered safe across all trimesters. PPIs (omeprazole) and Pepto-Bismol require physician guidance during pregnancy. Loperamide and laxatives should be discussed with your OB. Before ordering during pregnancy or breastfeeding, please request a free pharmacist consultation.
One product is good. The kit is the protocol.
Dr. Mike doesn't hand patients single products. He hands them protocols. The Fairview Gut Emergency Kit is the full version of what most people need. And it skips the $50 minimum.