People who experience episodes of indigestion, bloating, heartburn, nausea or diarrhea due to overeating may experience relief from these uncomfortable symptoms following treatment with Kaopectate. This over-the-counter medication should only be used as directed to limit a person's risk of developing side effects or complications.
Bismuth Subsalicylate
The active ingredient in Kaopectate is bismuth subsalicylate, a type of antidiarrheal agent. Bismuth subsalicylate helps reduce upset stomach symptoms by decreasing the rate at which fluid flows through the digestive tract. This medication also reduces bowel inflammation and prevents certain types of toxic pathogens from replicating in the intestinal tract, PubMed Health explains.
Side Effects
Bismuth subsalicylate, may cause side effects in certain people taking Kaopectate. The primary side effect is darkening of a person's stools or tongue, Drugs.com reports. Tongue or stool discoloration is temporary and resolves within a few days of treatment. People who develop severe side effects after taking Kaopectate, such as constipation, vomiting, fever, hearing loss, blood in the urine or unusual bruising, should seek medical care as soon as possible.
Contraindications
People who are allergic to Kaopectate, salicylates, aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should not use Kaopectate, Drugs.com warns. Improper treatment of allergic people may induce a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. The presence of bleeding problems, such as an ulcer or hemophilia, also precludes treatment with this medication. Children or adolescents who have the flu or chicken pox should not be given Kaopectate due to an increased risk of developing a severe illness called Reye syndrome. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should discuss the use of Kaopectate with a medical professional before using this antidiarrheal medication.
