Pepti-Calm 525.6mg/30ml Oral Suspension

For excipients, see 6.1.

Oral suspension

Thick pink suspension

For the relief of indigestion, dyspepsia, nausea, upset stomach and diarrhoea.

Adults and children over 16 years: 30ml to be taken every 30-60 minutes as required up to a maximum of eight doses in 24 hours.

Do not give to children under 16 years.

For oral administration.

Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients, aspirin or other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and patients with renal disorders.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding (see section 4.6, Pregnancy and lactation).

There is a possible association between salicylates and Reye's syndrome when given to children. Reye's syndrome is a very rare disease which affects the brain and liver and can be fatal. For this reason salicylates should not be given to children aged under 16 years, unless specifically indicated (e.g. Kawasaki's disease).

Do not take with aspirin.

Do not take if suffering from gout.

If symptoms are severe or persist for more than 2 days, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Do not exceed the stated dose.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Salicylates may enhance the effect of coumarin anticoagulants and oral hypoglycaemics of the sulphonylurea type. Salicylates diminish the action of uricosurics.

The safety of Pepti-Calm during pregnancy and lactation has not been established and therefore use during these periods is not recommended.

Animal studies are insufficient with respect to effects on pregnancy. The potential risk for humans is unknown. Pepti-Calm should not be used during pregnancy.

There is limited information on the excretion of bismuth subsalicylate in human or animal breast milk. Physico-chemical and available pharmacodynamic data on bismuth subsalicylate point to excretion in breast milk and a risk to the suckling child cannot be excluded. Pepti-Calm should not be used during breast-feeding.

No adverse effects known.

Nausea and vomiting have been reported as well as darkening or blackening of the faeces and tongue.

The effects of bismuth intoxication include gastrointestinal disturbances, skin reactions, stomatitis and discolouration of the mucous membranes. A characteristic blue line may appear on the gums.

Salicylate poisoning is usually associated with plasma concentrations >350mg/L (2.5mmol/L). Most adult deaths occur in patients whose concentrations exceed 700 mg/L (5.1mmol/L). Single doses less than 100mg/kg are unlikely to cause serious poisoning.

Common features of salicylate poisoning include vomiting, dehydration, tinnitus, vertigo, deafness, sweating, warm extremities with bounding pulses, increased respiratory rate and hyperventilation. Some degree of acid-base disturbance is present in most cases.

A mixed respiratory alkalosis and metabolic acidosis with normal or high arterial pH (normal or reduced hydrogen ion concentration) is usual in adults and children over the age of 4 years. In children aged 4 years or less, a dominant metabolic acidosis with low arterial pH (raised hydrogen ion concentration) is common. Acidosis may increase salicylate transfer across the blood brain barrier.

Uncommon features of salicylate poisoning include haematemesis, hyperpyrexia, hypoglycaemia, hypokalaemia, thrombocytopaenia, increased INR/PTR, intravascular coagulation, renal failure and non-cardiac pulmonary oedema.

Central nervous system features including confusion, disorientation, coma and convulsions are less common in adults than in children.

Give activated charcoal if an adult presents within one hour of ingestion of more than 250mg/kg. The plasma salicylate concentration should be measured, although the severity of poisoning cannot be determined from this alone and the clinical and biochemical features must be taken into account. Elimination is increased by urinary alkalinisation, which is achieved by the administration of 1.26% sodium bicarbonate. The urine pH should be monitored. Correct metabolic acidosis with intravenous 8.4% sodium bicarbonate (first check serum potassium). Forced diuresis should not be used since it does not enhance salicylate excretion and may cause pulmonary oedema.

Haemodialysis is the treatment of choice for severe poisoning and should be considered in patients with plasma salicylate concentrations >700mg/L (5.1mmol/L), or lower concentrations associated with severe clinical or metabolic features. Patients under 10 years or over 70 have increased risk of salicylate toxicity and may require dialysis at an earlier stage.

Bismuth has weak antacid properties. Bismuth subsalicylate may exert its antidiarrhoeal action not only by stimulating absorption of fluid and electrolytes across the intestinal wall but also when hydrolysed to salicylic acid, by inhibiting synthesis of a prostaglandin responsible for intestinal inflammation and hypermotility. In addition, bismuth subsalicylates binds toxins produced by E. coli.

Following oral administration, the amount of bismuth absorbed is negligible, whereas the salicylate component is absorbed completely and rapidly from the small intestine.

Bismuth subsalicylate is believed to be largely hydrolysed in the stomach to bismuth oxychloride and salicylic acid. In the small intestine non-dissociated bismuth subsalicylate reacts with other anions to form insoluble bismuth salts. In the colon, non-dissociated salicylate and other bismuth salts react with hydrogen sulphide to produce bismuth sulphide, a highly insoluble black salt responsible for blackening the tongue and faeces.

Bismuth is primarily excreted in the faeces, whereas the salicylate component is primarily excreted in the urine either as free salicylic acid or conjugated metabolites.

There are no preclinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included.

Maltitol liquid

Glycerin

Dispersible cellulose (containing microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose)

Xanthan gum

Citric acid monohydrate

Sodium citrate

Sodium benzoate

Rootbeer flavour (containing polypropylene glycol)

Carmoisine Edicol E (E122)

Purified water

None

18 months

Do not store above 25°C.

A 150ml, 180ml or 300ml white flint glass bottle with a roll on aluminium closure and expanded polyethylene liner.

Not applicable

The Boots Company PLC

1 Thane Road West

Nottingham NG2 3AA

Trading as: BCM

PL 00014/0615

Date of first authorisation: 02 November 2000

November 2009