What Is Melena? Can Bismuth Subsalicylate Cause Black Stool?

Black stool or melena can indicate a serious health problem. However, in some instances, it can also be a side effect of a medicine like bismuth subsalicylate.

Medicine Bismuth Subsalicylate And Melena (Black Stool)

Black stools, also known as melena, are a sign of internal bleeding that mainly occurs in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. As the blood passes through your digestive tract and into your stool, it turns black, per Cleveland Clinic.

However, black poop doesn't always mean one has an underlying medical concern. Some meals, dietary supplements, and pharmaceuticals might make your stool seem black.

The stool typically comes in a hue of brown. Poop color might differ from brown depending on various circumstances, including what you consume and your medical history. For instance, several factors can cause your excrement to seem black, Yahoo! News reported.

Some foods and drinks with dark hues can make your excrement look black. These include blood sausage, blueberries, and black licorice. Your stool may also appear reddish if you consume beets or foods flavored with dark red food coloring.

There's no need for medical attention if eating is why your poop is darker than usual. Once the food has left your system, the color of your excrement will revert to normal.

When taking an iron pill, a type of iron supplement, you may get black poop. The body needs iron to form red blood cells. You can obtain iron from your diet, but you may need to take an iron supplement to treat or prevent anemia, which most frequently arises when insufficient iron produces enough red blood cells.

Additionally, while stomach pain is common with iron supplements, black stool is uncommon. You should speak to a doctor if you have stomach pain while taking iron supplements.

Poop might become black after taking medications with the component bismuth. This includes the drug bismuth subsalicylate, marketed under Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate.

Intestinal disturbance, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea can all be treated with bismuth subsalicylate.

Additionally, using activated charcoal can result in black feces. This charcoal has been cooked to the point where pores have formed. Because its pores may contain toxins, activated charcoal can cure poisoning. To trap the toxic compounds in your body after ingesting a toxin, a medical professional may give you activated charcoal by mouth.

When to Seek Help for Melena (Black Poop)

Your stool could seem black if there is bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal system since the blood darkens as it passes through your digestive system. Any area of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, or first segment of the small intestine, may be the source of the bleeding.

Blood is initially red, but it turns black as it circulates through your body and comes into contact with digestive enzymes. Melena is the medical term for this. Black poop, because it includes blood, is frequently smelly and tarry in addition to being this color.

Your poop may seem black because of blood in your stool for various causes. Gastritis, peptic ulcers, varices, angiodysplasia of the gastrointestinal tract, esophagitis, Mallory-Weiss rupture, and gastrointestinal malignancies can all result in bleeding that turns your feces black.

You should talk to your doctor if your stools are dark and sticky, smell unpleasant, or have other digestive issues.

Check out more news and information on Medicine and Health in Science Times.