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Dietary supplement

Bismuth Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Oligocan

Bismuth label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Bismuth against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Bismuth is a dietary supplement by Oligocan with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for upset stomach and indigestion, diarrhea, heartburn and nausea.Based on those ingredients, 125 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bismuth Gluconate. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Bismuth by Oligocan

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Bismuth by Oligocan — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bismuth by Oligocan

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 16, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Oligocan is a single-ingredient liquid containing bismuth gluconate. Bismuth is a metal compound that's been used for decades to treat digestive complaints and certain infections.

There are no other active ingredients, and no inactive fillers or binders are listed.

Does it work?

Strong evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Bismuth's overall clinical evidence instead.

Strong

Strong clinical evidence supports Bismuth for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Travelers' diarrhea — rated "Likely Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Helicobacter pylori — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).
  • On file: Peptic ulcers — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

Bismuth gluconate is likely effective for traveler's diarrhea, helping reduce symptoms and duration when you're dealing with infectious diarrhea abroad. For Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic ulcers, the evidence suggests it may help, though the data isn't as strong.

For cholera, there isn't enough reliable evidence to say whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bismuth

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Bismuth salts are generally well tolerated when used short-term. The most common side effects are minor—a metallic taste, darkened stools or tongue, dizziness, nausea, and headache.

Rarely, with large doses or long-term use, kidney problems and brain-related complications have been reported; bismuth subsalicylate specifically can also cause salicylate toxicity. Because this product contains salicylate, it should not be used during later pregnancy, and you should check with your doctor or pharmacist before using it while breastfeeding, since salicylate passes into breast milk.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bismuth

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Bismuth.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 125 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you take blood thinners (anticoagulants) or antiplatelet drugs—bismuth may reduce their effects. Aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), and omeprazole (Prilosec) all need a conversation first.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with strong clinical evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Bismuth gluconate is a solid choice for traveler's diarrhea and may help with certain digestive infections. If you take blood thinners, aspirin, or omeprazole, you'll need to clear it with your doctor or pharmacist first—the interactions are real and can affect how your medications work.

Keep use short-term and avoid it in later pregnancy.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Mar 25, 2013.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Bismuth, straight from the product label.

Brand Oligocan
Barcode (UPC) 778159310171
Net contents 100 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Mar 25, 2013
DSLD ID 19860
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Bismuth by Oligocan, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 tsp
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 tsp
Servings per container
330
UPC/BARCODE
778159310171
IngredientAmount% DV
Bismuth Gluconate5 X--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formula

Solution containing: 5 X Bismuth gluconate

FDA Statement of Identity

Mineral supplement

A Dietary Supplement

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

In the morning, one teaspoon in a small amount of water.

General Statements

ZIN 100991

Natural Product

traceELEMENTS

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Statements not evaluated by the FDA. Product not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Bismuth by Oligocan label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Bismuth label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Bismuth by Oligocan

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 tsp Dosage formLiquid Servings per container330 Amounts shown are per serving.

Bismuth Gluconate

Interacts with
125 drugs
5 X per serving

Bismuth is a metallic element used in medicine mostly as bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in some well-known stomach remedies) to ease ups...

Bismuth Gluconate monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Bismuth by Oligocan Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bismuth?

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125Drugs
125 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Bismuth Gluconate 125

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Bismuth interact with 125 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Bismuth interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Bismuth Gluconate

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bismuth with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Bismuth Gluconate4 drug types · 125 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, use of bismuth subgallate or other bismuth salts might reduce the effects of anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs.
In humans, bismuth subgallate activates factor XII and accelerates the coagulation cascade.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Aspirin

Theoretically, bismuth subsalicylate might have an additive effect with other salicylate-containing drugs.
Dietary supplements often contain bismuth in the form of bismuth subsalicylate. In humans, oral bismuth subsalicylate is hydrolyzed in the stomach to form salicylate and bismuth oxychloride.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Omeprazole (Prilosec)

Theoretically, concomitant use of bismuth and omeprazole may increase the effects and side effects of bismuth.
In humans, omeprazole increases the absorption of bismuth from tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and urinary excretion (Ae) of bismuth have been shown to be higher when tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate is administered with omeprazole (172 ± 158 mcg/L/hour and 1.9 ± 2.0 mg per eight hours, respectively) compared with administration alone (46 ± 33 mcg/L/hour and 0.27 ± 0.28 mg per eight hours, respectively).

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
Warfarin (Coumadin)

There is some concern that bismuth subsalicylate might increase the effects of warfarin.
In one case, a patient treated with warfarin had an increase in international normalized ratio (INR), from 2.56 to 3.54, following intake of bismuth subsalicylate 30 mL every 4 hours for 3 days. However, this interaction resulted from the displacement of warfarin from plasma protein binding sites by salicylate, which increased the free active form of warfarin. Therefore, this interaction is not likely to occur with other bismuth salts.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Bismuth Gluconate full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Bismuth, from the product label.

Oligocan

See all Oligocan products
Name
HOMEOCAN
Street Address
1900 STE.CATHERINE STREET EAST
City
MONTREAL
State
QUEBEC
ZipCode
H2K 2H5
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bismuth by Oligocan: Common Questions

Does Bismuth by Oligocan interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bismuth has a known interaction with 125 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Bismuth contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Does this help with traveler's diarrhea?
Yes—bismuth gluconate is likely effective for traveler's diarrhea. It works best when used at the start of symptoms.
Can I use it long-term?
No. Bismuth products are meant for short-term use only. Large doses or chronic use can cause serious problems like kidney failure, so stick to the label directions and don't use it beyond a few days without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Will my tongue or stool really turn dark?
It's one of the most common side effects. Your tongue or stool may become black or grayish—it's harmless and goes away once you stop taking it.
Is it safe during pregnancy?
No, bismuth subsalicylate (the form in most bismuth products) is avoided in pregnancy, especially later on, because of its salicylate content. There isn't enough data on file for bismuth gluconate specifically in pregnancy, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you're pregnant or planning to be.
Can I take it while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough data to know for sure. Salicylate can pass into breast milk, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product while nursing.
What does this treat besides diarrhea?
It may help with Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic ulcers, though the evidence is less solid than for traveler's diarrhea. There's not enough data to say whether it works for cholera.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Bismuth label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Bismuth’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Bismuth

Interacts with 125 drugs

Bismuth is a metallic element used in medicine mostly as bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in some well-known stomach remedies) to ease upset stomach, heartburn, nausea, and diarr...

Read the full Bismuth monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Bismuth's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 36 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Bismuth 36 references
  1. Cengiz, N., Uslu, Y., Gok, F., and Anarat, A. Acute renal failure after overdose of colloidal bismuth subcitrate. Pediatr Nephrol 2005;20(9):1355-1358. PubMed
  2. Callanan, V., Curran, A. J., Smyth, D. A., and Gormley, P. K. The influence of bismuth subgallate and adrenaline paste upon operating time and operative blood loss in tonsillectomy. J Laryngol Otol 1995;109(3):206-208. PubMed
  3. Mishkin, S. Intriguing gastrointestinal properties of bismuth: a folk remedy brought into the realm of clinical and investigative medicine. Can J Gastroenterol 1998;12(8):569-570. PubMed
  4. GOELTNER, E. [Versenate treatment of alopecia following bismuth therapy]. Z Haut Geschlechtskr 1961;31:164-169.
  5. Hoffman, J. S., Katz, L. M., and Cave, D. R. Efficacy of a 1-week regimen of ranitidine bismuth citrate in combination with metronidazole and clarithromycin for Helicobacter pylori eradication. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1999;13(4):503-506.
  6. Scott, B. B. Bismuth-containing single-antibiotic 1-week triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1998;12(3):277-279.
  7. Sontag, S. J., O'Connell, S., Schnell, T., Chejfec, G., Seidel, J., and Sonnenberg, A. Reduced symptoms and need for antisecretory therapy in veterans 3 years after Helicobacter pylori eradication with ranitidine bismuth citrate/amoxicillin/clarithromycin PubMed
  8. Chey, W. D., Fisher, L., Elta, G. H., Barnett, J. L., Nostrant, T., DelValle, J., Hasler, W. L., and Scheiman, J. M. Bismuth subsalicylate instead of metronidazole with lansoprazole and clarithromycin for Helicobacter pylori infection: a randomized trial.
  9. Kaviani, M. J., Malekzadeh, R., Vahedi, H., Sotoudeh, M., Kamalian, N., Amini, M., and Massarrat, S. Various durations of a standard regimen (amoxycillin, metronidazole, colloidal bismuth sub-citrate for 2 weeks or with additional ranitidine for 1 or 2 we
  10. Gisbert, J. P., Marcos, S., Gisbert, J. L., and Pajares, J. M. High efficacy of ranitidine bismuth citrate, amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole twice daily for only five days in Helicobacter pylori Eradication. Helicobacter 2001;6(2):157-162.
  11. Nijevitch, A. A., Farztdinov, K. M., Sataev, V. U., Khasanov, R. Sh., Katayev, V. A., Khusnutdinov, S. M., Akhunov, E. D., and Kazykhanov, N. S. Helicobacter pylori infection in childhood: results of management with ranitidine bismuth citrate plus amoxici
  12. Bujanda, L., Sanchez, A., Iriondo, C., Santos, A., Cosme, A., and Munoz, C. [Comparative study of the eradication of Helicobacter pylori: ranitidine bismuth citrate versus omeprazole plus two antibiotics for seven days]. An Med Interna 2001;18(7):361-363.
  13. Wilhelmsen, I., Weberg, R., Berstad, K., Hausken, T., Hundal, O., and Berstad, A. Helicobacter pylori eradication with bismuth subnitrate, oxytetracycline and metronidazole in patients with peptic ulcer disease. Hepatogastroenterology 1994;41(1):43-47.
  14. DuPont, H. L., Ericsson, C. D., Johnson, P. C., Bitsura, J. A., DuPont, M. W., and de la Cabada, F. J. Prevention of travelers' diarrhea by the tablet formulation of bismuth subsalicylate. JAMA 1987;257(10):1347-1350. DOI
  15. Pozzato, P., Zagari, M., Cardelli, A., Catalano, F. A., Giglio, A., Lami, F., Pilotto, A., Scarpulla, G., Spadaccini, A., Susi, D., Tosatto, R., Olivieri, A., Bazzoli, F., and Roda, E. Ranitidine bismuth citrate plus clarithromycin 7-day regimen is effect
  16. Araujo Castillo, R., Pinto Valdivia, J. L., Ramirez, D., Cok Garcia, J., and Bussalleu Rivera, A. [New ultrashort scheme for helicobacter pylori infection eradication using tetracyline, furazolidone and colloidal bismuth subcitrate in dyspeptic patients w
  17. Bianchi Porro, G., Lazzaroni, M., and Cortvriendt, W. R. Maintenance therapy with colloidal bismuth subcitrate in duodenal ulcer disease. Digestion 1987;37 Suppl 2:47-52. PubMed
  18. Johnson, P. C., Ericsson, C. D., DuPont, H. L., Morgan, D. R., Bitsura, J. A., and Wood, L. V. Comparison of loperamide with bismuth subsalicylate for the treatment of acute travelers' diarrhea. JAMA 1986;255(6):757-760. DOI
  19. Moeschlin, S. [Clinical-hematological demonstrations: aplastic anemia, acute leukemias, polyneuropathy in Waldenstrom's disease, acute porphyria]. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 1975;105(40):1289-1298.
  20. Treiber, G., Walker, S., and Klotz, U. Omeprazole-induced increase in the absorption of bismuth from tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1994;55(5):486-491. PubMed
  21. Supino-Viterbo V, Sicard C, Risvegliato M, Rancurel G, Buge A. Toxic encephalopathy due to ingestion of bismuth salts: clinical and EEG studies of 45 patients. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1977;40(8):748-52. PubMed
  22. Cohen PR. Black tongue secondary to bismuth subsalicylate: case report and review of exogenous causes of macular lingual pigmentation. J Drugs Dermatol 2009;8(12):1132-5.
  23. Ioffreda MD, Gordon CA, Adams DR, Naides SJ, Miller JJ. Black tongue. Arch Dermatol 2001;137(7):968-9.
  24. Bingham AL, Brown RO, Dickerson RN. Inadvertent exaggerated anticoagulation following use of bismuth subsalicylate in an enterally fed patient receiving warfarin therapy. Nutr Clin Pract 2013;28(6):766-9. PubMed
  25. Masannat Y, Nazer E. Pepto bismuth associated neurotoxicity: A rare side effect of a commonly used medication. W V Med J 2013;109(3):32-4.
  26. James JA. Acute renal failure due to a bismuth preparation. Calif Med 1968;109(4):317-9.
  27. Jacobsen JB, Hüttel MS. [Methemhemoglobinemia after excessive intake of a subnitrate containing antacid]. Ugeskr Laeger 1982;144(32):2349-50.
  28. Ford AC, Malfertheiner P, Giguere M, et al. Adverse events with bismuth salts for Helicobacter pylori eradication: systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Gastroenterol 2008;14(48):7361-70. PubMed
  29. Shavakhi A, Tabesh E, Yaghoutkar A, Hashemi H, Tabesh F, Khodadoostan M,Minakari M, Shavakhi S, Gholamrezaei A. The effects of multistrain probiotic compound on bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection: a randomized placebo-c
  30. Tsay FW, Wu DC, Yu HC, et al. A randomized controlled trial shows that both 14-day hybrid and bismuth quadruple therapies cure most patients with Helicobacter pylori infection in populations with moderate antibiotic resistance. Antimicrob Agents Chemother
  31. De Francesco V, Pontone S, Bellesia A, et al. Quadruple, sequential, and concomitant first-line therapies for H. pylori eradication: a prospective, randomized study. Dig Liver Dis 2018;50(2):139-41. PubMed
  32. Wu TS, Hsu PI, Kuo CH, et al. Comparison of 10-day levofloxacin bismuth-based quadruple therapy and levofloxacin-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori. J Dig Dis 2017;18(9):537-42.
  33. Liou JM, Fang YJ, Chen CC, Taiwan Gastrointestinal Disease and Helicobacter Consortium. Concomitant, bismuth quadruple, and 14-day triple therapy in the first-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori: a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial. Lancet 2016; PubMed
  34. Zaveri H, Surve A, Cottam D, et al. Does bismuth subgallate affect smell and stool Character? A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial of bismuth subgallate on loop duodenal switch patients with complaints of smelly stools and diarrhea. Obes S PubMed
  35. Halani S, Wu PE. Salicylate toxicity from chronic bismuth subsalicylate use. BMJ Case Rep 2020;13(11):e236929. PubMed
  36. Galleani C, Bautista-Villanueva S, Barranco R, et al. Fixed drug eruption due to bismuth during Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract 2021;9(6):2503-2504. PubMed

See these in context on the Bismuth monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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