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Kaopectate is an over-the-counter medicine that currently contains bismuth subsalicylate. The current coated caplet contains 262 mg. It is labeled to relieve diarrhea, travelers' diarrhea, and upset stomach associated with overindulgence in food or drink, including heartburn, indigestion, nausea, gas, belching, and fullness.
read more about kaopectate ...Bismuth subsalicylate breaks down into bismuth and salicylate after ingestion. Its gastrointestinal actions reduce intestinal secretion and help control diarrhea, while bismuth also has local activity in the gastrointestinal tract. The current product is different from older Kaopectate formulations that contained kaolin.
Current caplet directions apply to adults and children age 12 and older. Children younger than 12 require medical advice. People with an ulcer, bleeding problem, bloody or black stool, salicylate allergy, or concurrent salicylate use do not use the product under the current label.
Adults and children age 12 and older take two 262 mg caplets as one dose and can repeat the dose every 30 to 60 minutes as needed. The maximum is eight doses in 24 hours, and treatment does not continue for more than two days. Clear fluids are taken to reduce dehydration risk.
Children and teenagers with or recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms do not use Kaopectate due to the Reye syndrome warning. The product contains salicylate and can interact with anticoagulants and medicines for diabetes, gout, or arthritis. Ringing in the ears, hearing loss, worsening symptoms, or diarrhea lasting more than two days requires medical advice.
Each current coated caplet contains 262 mg of bismuth subsalicylate.
One dose is two caplets.
The current label limits use to eight doses in 24 hours.
No. Current U.S. Kaopectate caplets contain bismuth subsalicylate rather than kaolin.
Bismuth Subsalicylate: MedlinePlus Drug Information. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607040.html. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Double-Blind Comparison of Bismuth Subsalicylate and Placebo in the Prevention and Treatment of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli-Induced Diarrhea in Volunteers. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6352386/. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
KAOPECTATE (Bismuth Subsalicylate) Coated Caplets Drug Label Information. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3877a88d-9546-48ce-ad6b-3c2a115e3eaf. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
OTC Monograph M008: Antidiarrheal Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/omuf/monographs/OTC%20Monograph_M008-Antidiarrheal%20Drug%20Products%20for%20OTC%20Human%20Use%2004.04.22.pdf. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses Assessment of the Clinical Efficacy of Bismuth Subsalicylate for Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diarrhea. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32772204/. Date Accessed October 7, 2026.