Kaopectate
Encyclopedia
Kaopectate, known medically as bismuth subsalicylate
, is an orally taken medication
from Chattem, Inc. for the treatment of mild diarrhea
. It is also sometimes used to treat indigestion, nausea and stomach ulcers. In the U.S., kaopectate is now equivalent to a tableted form of Pepto-Bismol
, and is no longer made from kaolinite
and pectin
.
Children should not take medication with bismuth subsalicylate while recovering from influenza
or chicken pox, as epidemiologic evidence points to an association between the use of salicylate-containing medications during certain viral infections and the onset of Reye's syndrome
. For the same reason, it is typically recommended that nursing mothers not use medication containing bismuth subsalicylate because small amounts of the medication are excreted in breast milk and pose a theoretical risk of Reye's syndrome to nursing children.
was used as the adsorbent and pectin
as the emollient. Attapulgite (a type of absorbent clay
) replaced the kaolinite in the 1980s, but since 2004, bismuth subsalicylate
has been used as the active ingredient in U.S. marketed products. In Canada, McNeil Consumer Healthcare continues to market Kaopectate using attapulgite as the active ingredient.
(FDA) does not have a clear stance on the administration of Kaopectate products on animals such as dogs and cats that are suffering from diarrhea. However, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Journal news article noted in 2003 that the new subsalicylate formulation might be harmful to cats, which do not tolerate salicylates well.
Kaolin-pectate, the original compound, was approved by the OTC (Organic Trade Association) for use in animals being produced for food.
Bismuth subsalicylate
Bismuth subsalicylate, with a nominal chemical formula of C7H5BiO4, It is a colloidal substance obtained by hydrolysis of bismuth salicylate . The actual structure is unknown and the formulation is only approximate. Recent evidence indicates that it is composed of a bismuth oxide core structure...
, is an orally taken medication
Medication
A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
from Chattem, Inc. for the treatment of mild diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
. It is also sometimes used to treat indigestion, nausea and stomach ulcers. In the U.S., kaopectate is now equivalent to a tableted form of Pepto-Bismol
Pepto-Bismol
Pepto-Bismol is an over-the-counter drug currently produced by the Procter and Gamble company in the United States of America and in Canada to treat minor digestive system upset. Its active ingredient is bismuth subsalicylate...
, and is no longer made from kaolinite
Kaolinite
Kaolinite is a clay mineral, part of the group of industrial minerals, with the chemical composition Al2Si2O54. It is a layered silicate mineral, with one tetrahedral sheet linked through oxygen atoms to one octahedral sheet of alumina octahedra...
and pectin
Pectin
Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide contained in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. It was first isolated and described in 1825 by Henri Braconnot...
.
Children should not take medication with bismuth subsalicylate while recovering from influenza
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
or chicken pox, as epidemiologic evidence points to an association between the use of salicylate-containing medications during certain viral infections and the onset of Reye's syndrome
Reye's syndrome
Reye's syndrome is a potentially fatal disease that causes numerous detrimental effects to many organs, especially the brain and liver, as well as causing a lower than usual level of blood sugar . The classic features are liver damage, aspirin use and a viral infection...
. For the same reason, it is typically recommended that nursing mothers not use medication containing bismuth subsalicylate because small amounts of the medication are excreted in breast milk and pose a theoretical risk of Reye's syndrome to nursing children.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in Kaopectate has changed since its original creation. Originally, kaoliniteKaolinite
Kaolinite is a clay mineral, part of the group of industrial minerals, with the chemical composition Al2Si2O54. It is a layered silicate mineral, with one tetrahedral sheet linked through oxygen atoms to one octahedral sheet of alumina octahedra...
was used as the adsorbent and pectin
Pectin
Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide contained in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. It was first isolated and described in 1825 by Henri Braconnot...
as the emollient. Attapulgite (a type of absorbent clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
) replaced the kaolinite in the 1980s, but since 2004, bismuth subsalicylate
Bismuth subsalicylate
Bismuth subsalicylate, with a nominal chemical formula of C7H5BiO4, It is a colloidal substance obtained by hydrolysis of bismuth salicylate . The actual structure is unknown and the formulation is only approximate. Recent evidence indicates that it is composed of a bismuth oxide core structure...
has been used as the active ingredient in U.S. marketed products. In Canada, McNeil Consumer Healthcare continues to market Kaopectate using attapulgite as the active ingredient.
Mild
- Constipation
- Dizziness/lightheadedness
- Increased thirst
- Increased sweating
- Black stools
- Black tongue
Severe
- Vomiting
- Stomach pains
- Involuntary movements of the hands and lower arms
- Vision impairment
Use on animals
The U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
(FDA) does not have a clear stance on the administration of Kaopectate products on animals such as dogs and cats that are suffering from diarrhea. However, the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Journal news article noted in 2003 that the new subsalicylate formulation might be harmful to cats, which do not tolerate salicylates well.
Kaolin-pectate, the original compound, was approved by the OTC (Organic Trade Association) for use in animals being produced for food.