Can I take bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) while pregnant or breastfeeding?
A plain-words look at what the NHS, the US drug label and LactMed say about bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).
In short
Pregnancy: Pepto-Bismol is not usually recommended in pregnancy.
Breastfeeding: Pepto-Bismol is not usually recommended while breastfeeding.
Your doctor, midwife or pharmacist can help you decide.
What this means for you
Pregnancy
- If you're pregnant, speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Pepto-Bismol.
- They may be able to suggest another medicine.
Breastfeeding
- If you're breastfeeding, check with a doctor or pharmacist before using Pepto-Bismol.
- They may be able to suggest another medicine.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist
This page is educational, not advice for your own situation. Talk to your doctor, midwife or pharmacist before you start, stop or change any medicine in pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
The details: what each source says
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) in pregnancy
The NHS says
Pepto-Bismol is not usually recommended in pregnancy.
If you're pregnant, speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Pepto-Bismol. They may be able to suggest another medicine.
In our words, from the NHS page Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.
The US Drug Facts label says
If pregnant or breast-feeding If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use.
Drug Facts label: Medique Diotame Instydose (oral), Unifirst First Aid Corporation. Label on DailyMed. Quoted verbatim; US labels are written for US prescribers and patients.
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) while breastfeeding
The NHS says
Pepto-Bismol is not usually recommended while breastfeeding.
If you're breastfeeding, check with a doctor or pharmacist before using Pepto-Bismol. They may be able to suggest another medicine.
In our words, from the NHS page Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) (nhs.uk). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The NHS does not endorse this site.
LactMed says
Because of the possibility of absorption of salicylate from the breastmilk by the infant, alternate therapies are preferred.[1]
“Summary of Use during Lactation”, LactMed record “Bismuth Subsalicylate” (LM449), quoted verbatim. Everything LactMed reports about Bismuth Subsalicylate while breastfeeding.
Sources
- NHS, Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) (nhs.uk), page last reviewed 27 August 2026. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- US drug label: Medique Diotame Instydose (oral), Unifirst First Aid Corporation, human otc drug, label effective 10 September 2026, set ID 5b214128-6980-0f84-e063-6294a90ad8ca. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). Public domain; quoted verbatim.
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), via NCBI Bookshelf, record “Bismuth Subsalicylate” (LM449), bulk release of 22 September 2026. LactMed on NCBI Bookshelf. Public domain; quoted verbatim. LactMed is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Sources checked 26 September 2026. How we source and check every page.
Educational summary of named sources, not medical advice.