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Taking Pepto-Bismol with other medicines and herbal supplements - Other brand names: Pepti-Calm

Cautions with other medicines

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.

Taking Pepto-Bismol with everyday painkillers

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.

Mixing Pepto-Bismol with other indigestion medicines

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.

Mixing Pepto-Bismol with herbal remedies and supplements

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.

Important: Medicine safety

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

Page last reviewed: 3 August 2022
Next review due: 3 August 2025