Ok Target, thanks for the tv ad that has forced me to answer this question-of-the-day.
Pepto is pink because of the main ingredient, bismuth subsalicylate, AKA pink bismuth. This is the same ingredient that turns your tongue black. Pink bismuth reacts with the tiny amounts of sulfur in your saliva and forms bismuth sulfide, which is black, and it can coat your tongue after you take Pepto.
And no, you should not give Pepto to kids because that active ingredient, bismuth subsalicylate, is a derivative of salicylic acid, AKA aspirin.
Next question?
ok. i have only taken the chewable tablets and they turn my tongue black. my question is if i take the liquid pepto instead will my tongue still turn black?
ReplyDeleteYup. Sorry to give you bad news, but liquid or tablets can give you that lovely black tongue. That will be $1 consultation fee. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. I've wondered about that for awhile.
ReplyDeleteThis is incorrect. Bismuth Subsalicylate is a "white or nearly white amorphous crystalline powder." The pink color comes from red food dyes. Perhaps when it was first made there was a reason for the pink color but now it's just for brand identity.
ReplyDeleteNext time google a bit more. Apparently at one point wikipedia did say the pink color came from the bismuth.
Back in the day when we actually compounded medications in the lab at pharmacy school, bismuth subsalicylate had a pinkish tinge, which might be why the drug company chose to enhance that particular color with a red additive. Pepto-Bismol has certainly succeeded in using that color for branding, everyone knows "pepto-pink". Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteThe mineral or rock, bismuth, that I have is very colorful and shaped kind of like a pyramid. naturally. I like pink and it works. Had hairy black tongue from it only once and it was funny because I knew what it was! Had just seen it a week before in a nursing book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fun info.
Wrong, wrong and wrong!
ReplyDeleteIt is red because it has chemical colorants inside !!!!
Each mL contains: bismuth subsalicylate 17.6 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzoic acid, D&C Red No. 22, D&C Red No. 28, flavour, magnesium aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, sodium saccharin, salicylic acid, sodium salicylate, sorbic acid and water.
Bismuth subsalicylate occurs as white or nearly white, tasteless, odorless powder and contains about 58% bismuth. It is insoluble in water, glycerin and alcohol.
Thank you. I'm glad I wasn't the one to clear that up.
DeleteNow I know why I have black poo after taking Pepto
ReplyDeletewhy are yall fighting about this question how do i know who is right
ReplyDeleteThe answer is right there on the bottle...red dyes. I'm a pharmgirl too.
ReplyDeleteEveryone here needs to understand that there is a way to go about things. The whole "Wrong, wrong, and wrong!" comment was unnecessary. The correct way to say this is..
ReplyDelete"From my understanding bismuth subsalicylate occurs as white or nearly white, tasteless, odorless powder and contains about 58% bismuth. It is insoluble in water, glycerin and alcohol."
Thanks
The "wrong, wrong, wrong" answer was copy/pasted from somewhere else (I didn't do it, I happened to see it).
ReplyDeletePharmgirl is correct, that the powder used for the formulation has a slight pink hue (very slight). In fact under the lights of the lab, we couldn't tell if it was white or pink, but under daylight through a window you could convince yourself it was there. Once compounded the color became more pronounced, but not by much--very faded. The company ran with this color instead of covering it up and threw in the dyes. Now you get that god-awful pink stuff.
It is very much related to brand recognition now as even children's pepto is pink and has no bismuth in it.
If you are going to copy and paste something maybe you should read all of what tour pasting first it come off rude. That answer was off of answers.com which I just a website that people copy and past other things on to. If you really want to know go to a pharmaceutical rep. They can tell you better than google can. Or just look on the bottle it IS because of the bismuth but the color is also enhanced more because of the red dyes :) thanks
ReplyDeleteyall have problems fighting ova y its pink
ReplyDeleteALL I KNOW IS THAT IT MAKES EVERYTHING THAT GOES THROUGH YOUR BODY BLACK !!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePink then black! Magic
ReplyDeleteIt has never turned anything of mine black, you must have bad breath and stinky poo with all that sulfur in ya
ReplyDeleteI am more confused now than I was before I asked the question. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWell, I have never seen my tounge after taking pepto
ReplyDeleteBismuth is only vaguely pink. I believe Pepto B, which is wintergreen-flavored, was deliberately colored this violent pink in imitation of (or homage to) the old-fashioned wintergreen lozenge candies which have been around for at least 100 years. These were well-known and popular when I was a little girl (not quite 100 years ago), and still available on line. Used to love 'em - don't think I'd care for them any more.
ReplyDeleteHey, Kathy! I just discovered your blog today. I recently finished one of my 4th year community rotations at Target...this dreaded question! Regardless of the answer, which Im assuming is the combination of bismuth AND dye (hello people!), youre blog is amazing! And, I love when people who "google" everything have the nerve to tell a well experienced and educated pharmacist they're wrong because 'thats not what I read on Wikipedia.' I've spent the past few hours reading through your posts. A few good laughs and a few heart breaking storys. I wish you well in your journey, and look forward to reading future posts!
ReplyDeleteJosh
Kaopectate has the same main ingredient, and it is not at all pink.
ReplyDeleteAnd, if you go to the Pepto-Bismol site, it will tell you that they don't know why the original pharmacist chose pink. BTW pharmacists were called druggists then, and apothecaries before that.
ReplyDeleteAdding red die to bismuth subsalicylate to create the color is actually brilliant as supported by scientific studies. Pink weakens and calms. Drunk Tank Pink is the name of the color, also the title of a book by a professor at the New York University Stern School of Business. The name comes from its use in drunk tanks and prisons where it has tangible results in calming obvious tense environments. University if Iowa Kinnick Stadium visitor’s locker room and urinals are painted this color as it is thought it weakens the opponent
ReplyDeleteanonymous...Kaopectate is made from Kaolin clay...hence the name. (Kaolin clay is white)
ReplyDelete