How long does it take for bismuth to get out of your system?
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4 min read
While the darkening of the stool and tongue, a common side effect of bismuth subsalicylate (e.g., Pepto-Bismol), typically resolves within a few days after stopping the medication, a small portion of the absorbed bismuth can take weeks to months to get out of your system completely. This surprising difference is due to the dual pathways the body uses to eliminate bismuth, with the majority passing quickly and a small fraction undergoing a slow, systemic clearance.