Bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) is a compound without significant aqueous solubility that is widely used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

Pepto-Bismol works in a few ways to treat diarrhea and relieve upset stomach. That's because it becomes two different compounds inside your body: bismuth and salicylic acid. Bismuth helps your body absorb more water from your gut. This can result in less frequent and less watery stools.

Sometimes, a doctor may recommend it to treat symptoms of chronic digestive disorders. Some people also find the antibacterial effects of Pepto Bismol useful when traveling to unfamiliar areas where the local bacteria may infect their digestive system and cause traveler's diarrhea.

Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol; Maalox) – Reacts with your stomach acid to improve stool consistency, reduce stool frequency, and relieve abdominal cramping.

Antibiotics work to cure some forms of bacterial gastroenteritis within a few days. You may need additional treatment to replace the fluids and electrolytes in your body.

Interestingly, one of these antibiotics is a bismuth compound that is available over-the- counter as Pepto-Bismol. It is also available as a generic drug called bismuth subsalicylate. The bismuth part of the medicine actually kills the bacteria.

It takes 30 minutes to an hour for Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) to start working and help relieve diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea. Sometimes referred to as "the pink stuff," Pepto-Bismol is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that is safe and effective for short-term use.

How can I treat my acute diarrhea? In most cases, you can treat your acute diarrhea with over-the-counter medicines such as loperamide link (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate link (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate).

Gastric juice consists of HCl and pepsin and can kill bacteria within 15 min when the pH is less than 3.0 (8).

Eating bland foods can help diarrhea clear quicker and prevent stomach upset and irritation. This can include bananas, plain white rice, applesauce, toast, boiled potatoes, unseasoned crackers, and oatmeal.

Most of the time, diarrhea is simply your gut's way of getting rid of a harmful invader, like a bacteria or virus. However, in some cases, diarrhea is caused by a malfunction of the gut, as is the case with inflammatory bowel disease. Many viruses can cause diarrhea. One of the more common causes is norovirus.

Generally, people can treat the symptoms of bacterial gastroenteritis at home by:

1. getting plenty of rest.
2. drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated.
3. eating small amounts of mineral-rich food at regular intervals.
4. avoiding foods and drinks that are high in sugar.