HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Does Pepto Bismol Causes Black Colored Stool?

default
Posted on Fri, 13 Mar 2015
Question: Hello doctor,

I just went to the bathroom and my stool was dark green and black I took Pepto bismol three days ago for a stomachache can that be it? Also I have been diagnosed with H Pylori and mild gastritis from an endoscopy exam. Please help thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Your stool color is caused by recent infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Such color of stool is most likely caused by lack of good bacteria in digestive tract. Please note that bile which is yellow is secreted to duodenum. Yellow bile is changed to brown stercobilinogen by a good intestinal bacteria. Now when you do not have enough of this bacteria or stool passage is too fast (diarrhea), bile can not be completely digested and stool becomes green.
So its not Pepto Bismol caused this but recent infection.
Please keep up with probiotic you are taking and give it some time to get back to normal.

The only reason to concern should be stool black like a tar. In such case, stomach bleeding is the case. But stool is really black. And smells strange.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Does Pepto Bismol Causes Black Colored Stool?

Brief Answer: Your stool color is caused by recent infection. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. Such color of stool is most likely caused by lack of good bacteria in digestive tract. Please note that bile which is yellow is secreted to duodenum. Yellow bile is changed to brown stercobilinogen by a good intestinal bacteria. Now when you do not have enough of this bacteria or stool passage is too fast (diarrhea), bile can not be completely digested and stool becomes green. So its not Pepto Bismol caused this but recent infection. Please keep up with probiotic you are taking and give it some time to get back to normal. The only reason to concern should be stool black like a tar. In such case, stomach bleeding is the case. But stool is really black. And smells strange. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.