Bismuth subgallate
Encyclopedia
Bismuth subgallate, with a chemical formula C7H5BiO6, is the active ingredient in Devrom (internal deodorant), an over-the-counter FDA-approved medicine commonly used to treat malodor by deodorizing flatulence
and stool
. Also, it has been used to treat Helicobacter pylori
infection and is used in wound therapy. As an internal deodorant, it is commonly used by individuals who have had ostomy surgery, bariatric surgery, fecal incontinence, and irritable bowel syndrome.
It can cause darkening of the tongue and stools, which is temporary and harmless.
A reversible encephalopathy
was noted and examined in a few subjects taking bismuth subgallate.
Flatulence
Flatulence is the expulsion through the rectum of a mixture of gases that are byproducts of the digestion process of mammals and other animals. The medical term for the mixture of gases is flatus, informally known as a fart, or simply gas...
and stool
Human feces
Human feces , also known as a stool, is the waste product of the human digestive system including bacteria. It varies significantly in appearance, according to the state of the digestive system, diet and general health....
. Also, it has been used to treat Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori , previously named Campylobacter pyloridis, is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic bacterium found in the stomach. It was identified in 1982 by Barry Marshall and Robin Warren, who found that it was present in patients with chronic gastritis and gastric ulcers, conditions that were...
infection and is used in wound therapy. As an internal deodorant, it is commonly used by individuals who have had ostomy surgery, bariatric surgery, fecal incontinence, and irritable bowel syndrome.
It can cause darkening of the tongue and stools, which is temporary and harmless.
A reversible encephalopathy
Encephalopathy
Encephalopathy means disorder or disease of the brain. In modern usage, encephalopathy does not refer to a single disease, but rather to a syndrome of global brain dysfunction; this syndrome can be caused by many different illnesses.-Terminology:...
was noted and examined in a few subjects taking bismuth subgallate.
External links
- American Cancer Society: Ileostomy Guide http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_Ileostomy.asp
- Cleveland Clinic-Having an Ileostomy– A Primer for New Ostomates http://my.clevelandclinic.org/Documents/Digestive_Disease/HavingIleostomy.pdf
- United Ostomy Association of America-Ileostomy Guide http://www.uoaa.org/ostomy_info/pubs/uoa_ileostomy_en.pdf
- The Ostomy Files:The Issue of Oral Medications and a Fecal Ostomy http://www.o-wm.com/article/3825
- Devrom website http://www.devrom.com