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
