Taking Pepto-Bismol with other medicines and herbal supplements

Pepto-Bismol contains salicylates (also found in aspirin) and can affect some other medicines.

To make sure Pepto-Bismol is safe for you, tell your doctor or a pharmacist if you are taking:

• an anticoagulant – medicines that help to prevent blood clots
• tablets or other oral medicines for diabetes
• medicine for gout
• doxycycline or minocycline, or any other tetracycline antibiotics

If you're taking tetracycline antibiotics, leave a 2-hour gap before taking Pepto-Bismol.

It's safe to take paracetamol at the same time as Pepto-Bismol.

Do not take other painkillers, like ibuprofen or aspirin, with Pepto-Bismol without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. This could cause side effects.

Do not combine different medicines for indigestion without asking a pharmacist or doctor for advice.

If Pepto-Bismol is not helping with your symptoms, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist. They may be able to recommend a different medicine.

It's not possible to say whether complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with Pepto-Bismol. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.