Colloidal bismuth subcitrate

Colloidal bismuth subcitrate helps to treat ulcers in the stomach and intestines. It is also used in combination with other medicines for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections.

Colloidal bismuth subcitrate should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. It should be taken at the same time each day to get the most benefit. Your symptoms may get better after a short time but do not stop taking it until you have finished a full course of treatment, even if you feel well. If you stop taking it early, some bacteria may survive, and the infection may come back.

The medicine is generally safe to use, however you might experience nausea and vomiting as a side effect. These side effects bother you or will not go away, your doctor may suggest ways of preventing or reducing them.

Before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have any kidney or liver problems. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before taking it. Let your doctor know about all the other medicines you are taking because they may affect, or be affected by, this medicine.

• Peptic ulcer disease

Peptic ulcer disease
Peptic ulcer disease is a condition in which painful sores or ulcers develop in the inner lining of the stomach or gut (intestine). Colloidal bismuth subcitrate reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes which prevents further damage to the ulcer as it heals naturally. You may be given other medicines along with this medicine depending on what caused the ulcer. You need to keep taking the medicine as it is prescribed for it to be effective, even if the symptoms seem to disappear.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Bisgram

• Limited data available

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Colloidal bismuth subcitrate may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Colloidal bismuth subcitrate is believed to work by several methods. First, it increases in mucus glycoprotein secretion and may also bind to the gastric mucus layer to act as a diffusion barrier to HCl. It is also known to have cytoprotective effect and enhances mucosal secretion of prostaglandins and bicarbonate.

• Colloidal bismuth subcitrate is used for the treatment of stomach ulcers.
• Before taking Colloidal bismuth subcitrate, inform your doctor if you have any other gastrointestinal disorders.
• Colloidal bismuth subcitrate might cause temporary and harmless darkening of the tongue and/or black stool. Do not panic, just inform your doctor.
• Have plenty of fluid while taking Colloidal bismuth subcitrate, particularly with the bedtime dose.
• Let your doctor know if you are pregnant, planning to become, or breastfeeding.

Wagstaff AJ, Benfield P, Monk JP. Colloidal bismuth subcitrate. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and its therapeutic use in peptic ulcer disease. Drugs. 1988;36(2):132-57. [Accessed 01 Apr. 2020] (online) Available from:

Lee SP. The mode of action of colloidal bismuth subcitrate. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 1991;185:1-6. [Accessed 01 Apr. 2020] (online) Available from: