Pepto Bismol Dosage Guide: Tablets and Liquid Form - GoodRx (2024)

Everyone has digestive issues from time to time. Maybe you’re looking to stock your medicine cabinet with an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that can handle occasional symptoms like diarrhea and nausea. If that’s the case, you may be considering Pepto Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate).

This classic brand includes many different products. And each has unique instructions for use. Below, we’ll take a look at recommended Pepto Bismol dosages for adults and children. But if you’re unsure how much to take, it’s always best to check with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

What’s the typical Pepto Bismol dosage for adults?

Pepto Bismol products come in a variety of forms and doses. Any of them can be used to treat intestinal symptoms like upset stomach, heartburn, and diarrhea. But remember to carefully read the instructions. Some products contain more medication per dose than others and have different directions.

Pepto Bismol liquid

Pepto Bismol liquid comes in wintergreen and cherry flavors. It contains 525 mg of bismuth subsalicylate in every 30 mL of liquid. Be sure to shake the bottle well before measuring a dose.

The adult’s Pepto Bismol dosage is:

• Take 30 mL (525 mg) every 30 minutes as needed.

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• For diarrhea, you have the option to take 60 mL (1,050 mg) every 60 minutes as needed.

• Don’t take more than 240 mL in 24 hours.

Pepto Bismol chewables

Pepto Bismol also comes as chewable tablets and soft chews. Each tablet or chew contains 262 mg of bismuth subsalicylate.

The adult’s dosage for Pepto Bismol chewables is:

• Chew 2 tablets/chews (524 mg) every 30 minutes as needed.

• For diarrhea, you have the option to chew 4 tablets/chews (1,048 mg) every 60 minutes as needed.

• Don’t take more than 16 tablets/chews in 24 hours.

Pepto Bismol tablets and capsules

Pepto Bismol is also available as tablets or liquid-filled capsules that are swallowed whole with water. There’s also a version of these pills called Pepto Diarrhea capsules. Each of these products contains 262 mg of bismuth subsalicylate per pill.

The adult’s dosage for Pepto Bismol tablets and capsules is:

• Take 2 pills (524 mg) by mouth every 30 minutes as needed.

• For diarrhea, you have the option to take 4 pills (1,048 mg) every 60 minutes as needed.

• Don’t take more than 16 pills in 24 hours.

Pepto Bismol Ultra liquid

Pepto Bismol Ultra liquid comes as a suspension in wintergreen, wintergreen with InstaCOOL, and cherry flavors. The Ultra version contains twice the amount of medication as the original version. Every 15 mL of liquid contains 525 mg of bismuth subsalicylate. Shake the bottle well before each use.

The adult’s Pepto Bismol Ultra dosage is:

• Take 15 mL (525 mg) every 30 minutes as needed.

• For diarrhea, you have the option to take 30 mL (1,050 mg) every 60 minutes as needed.

• Don’t take more than 120 mL in 24 hours.

Pepto Bismol Ultra and Pepto Diarrhea tablets

Pepto Bismol Ultra and Pepto Diarrhea tablets contain 525 mg of bismuth subsalicylate per tablet. This is double the amount of medication per tablet compared to other Pepto Bismol tablets.

The adult’s dosage for Pepto Bismol Ultra and Pepto Diarrhea tablets is:

• Take 1 tablet (525 mg) by mouth every 30 minutes as needed. Swallow tablets whole.

• For diarrhea, you have the option to take 2 tablets (1,050 mg) every 60 minutes as needed.

• Don’t take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.

Pepto Diarrhea liquid

Pepto Diarrhea is the most concentrated Pepto Bismol product. It contains three times more medication than the regular Pepto Bismol liquid. It has 525 mg of bismuth subsalicylate in every 10 mL. Make sure you shake the bottle well before each use.

The adult’s Pepto Bismol Diarrhea dosage is:

• Take 10 mL (525 mg) every 30 minutes as needed.

• For diarrhea, you have the option to take 20 mL (1,050 mg) every 60 minutes as needed.

• Don’t take more than 80 mL in 24 hours.

What’s the typical Pepto Bismol dosage for children?

Adolescents ages 12 years and older can follow the adult instructions for all Pepto Bismol products. But there are still some things to keep in mind before giving it to your kids, even if they’re over 12. Don’t give Pepto Bismol if your adolescent has flu-like symptoms or is recovering from a viral illness. Giving it in these situations carries a risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Reye’s syndrome is a rare but serious condition that can affect children and teens taking medications related to aspirin. The risk of Reye’s syndrome is higher if your child or teen is recovering from a viral illness like the flu. Although there are no known cases reported with children taking Pepto Bismol, it’s recommended to avoid it in these cases since the medication is related to aspirin.

Pepto Kids (calcium carbonate) is a kid-friendly version of Pepto Bismol. It contains a different medication that’s safe for children and doesn’t carry a risk of Reye’s syndrome.

Pepto Kids chewable tablets

Pepto Kids comes as a chewable tablet. Each tablet contains 400 mg of calcium carbonate. You can find the dosage for Pepto Kids in the table below. It’s best to choose the dose based on your child’s weight. But if you don’t know how much your child weighs, you can use their age instead.

Are there any dosage adjustments for certain people?

There aren’t any specific dose adjustments needed for Pepto Bismol based on health conditions. But there are some instances where you may need to avoid taking it altogether. Talk to a provider or pharmacist before taking Pepto Bismol if you:

• Are allergic to aspirin

• Have a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

• Take blood thinners, like warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

It’s also important to have your pharmacist or healthcare provider review your current medication list. Pepto Bismol can interfere with the absorption of some medications, potentially making them less effective.

Check in with your provider if you have diarrhea that lasts longer than 2 days or if your symptoms get worse. You should stop taking Pepto Bismol and call your provider if you experience side effects like ringing in your ears or other hearing problems. And if you notice blood or mucus in your stool or have a fever, it’s also best to give them a call. These may be symptoms of more serious stomach problems.

What happens if you miss a dose of Pepto Bismol?

Since Pepto Bismol is taken as needed, you won’t have to worry about missed doses. Just be sure to stay within the maximum daily amount listed for your product and to only take it for up to 2 days in a row.

What should you do if you take too much Pepto Bismol?

Taking an extra dose of Pepto Bismol by mistake is unlikely to cause serious problems for most people. But it’s a good idea to contact your provider if you’ve taken more than recommended or used it for longer than 2 days in a row.

If you’re concerned, you can also call Poison Control for guidance at 1-800-222-1222. Taking large amounts of Pepto Bismol may need treatment in the hospital, although this is very rare. If you experience severe symptoms like confusion, a fast heart rate, or trouble breathing, seek medical help right away.

How to save on Pepto Bismol

There are ways to save on Pepto Bismol, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. By having your provider write a prescription for Pepto Bismol, GoodRx can help you save over 50% off the average retail price.

The generic version of liquid Pepto Bismol at certain pharmacies may cost as low as $40.19 with a free GoodRx discount. The generic version of Pepto Bismol chewable tablets at certain pharmacies may cost as low as $7.26 with a free GoodRx discount.