Bismuth subgallate, with a chemical formula C₇H₅BiO₆, is commonly used to treat malodor by deodorizing

flatulence Flatulence, in humans, is the expulsion of gas from the intestines via the anus, commonly referred to as farting. "Flatus" is the medical word for gas generated in the stomach or bowels. A proportion of intestinal gas may be swallowed environm ...

and stools. In the United States, it (bismuth subgallate) is the active ingredient in Devrom (internal deodorant), an over-the-counter FDA-approved medicine. Also, it has been used to treat ''

Helicobacter pylori ''Helicobacter pylori'', previously known as ''Campylobacter pylori'', is a gram-negative, microaerophilic, spiral (helical) bacterium usually found in the stomach. Its helical shape (from which the genus name, helicobacter, derives) is though ...

'' infection and is used in wound therapy. As an internal deodorant, it is commonly used by individuals who have had gastrointestinal stoma surgery, bariatric surgery, fecal incontinence, and irritable bowel syndrome. Also, a double blind study in 1974 reported its effectiveness as a flatulence/stool deodorant in ileostomy patients.

Adverse effects

It can cause darkening of the tongue and stools, which is temporary. In 1974, a reversible

encephalopathy Encephalopathy (; from grc, ἐνκέφαλος "brain" + πάθος "suffering") means any disorder or disease of the brain, especially chronic degenerative conditions. In modern usage, encephalopathy does not refer to a single disease, but r ...

was noted and examined in four colon cancer patients taking bismuth subgallate after

abdominoperineal resection An abdomino perineal resection, formally known as abdominoperineal resection of the rectum and abdominoperineal excision of the rectum is a surgery for rectal cancer or anal cancer. It is frequently abbreviated as AP resection, APR and APER. I ...

. Bismuth subgallate is contraindicated in case of

hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity (also called hypersensitivity reaction or intolerance) refers to undesirable reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. They are usually referred to as an over-reaction of the immune s ...

to the substance, and should be used with caution in people with

liver disease Liver disease, or hepatic disease, is any of many diseases of the liver. If long-lasting it is termed chronic liver disease. Although the diseases differ in detail, liver diseases often have features in common. Signs and symptoms Some of the sig ...

kidney disease Kidney disease, or renal disease, technically referred to as nephropathy, is damage to or disease of a kidney. Nephritis is an inflammatory kidney disease and has several types according to the location of the inflammation. Inflammation can ...

. It is grouped in pregnancy category C (risk not ruled out: Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks). During

lactation Lactation describes the secretion of milk from the mammary glands and the period of time that a mother lactates to feed her young. The process naturally occurs with all sexually mature female mammals, although it may predate mammals. The proces ...

, very little bismuth subgallate passes over to the child.

Structure

Crystal structure determination of bismuth subgallate revealed it is a

coordination polymer A coordination polymer is an inorganic or organometallic polymer structure containing metal cation centers linked by ligands. More formally a coordination polymer is a coordination compound with repeating coordination entities extending in 1, 2, o ...

with the formula i(C₆H₂(O)₃COOH)(H₂O)sub>n2nH₂O. The phenolate oxygen atoms of the gallate ligand chelate to bismuth cations and form chains. The material is nanoporous and the open-channels can be filled with small gas molecules such as carbon dioxide.

External links

* American Cancer Society: Ileostomy Guid

* Cleveland Clinic-Having an Ileostomy– A Primer for New Ostomate

* The Ostomy Files:The Issue of Oral Medications and a Fecal Ostom

* Devrom websit

References

{{reflist Drugs acting on the gastrointestinal system and metabolism Bismuth compounds Coordination polymers

Adverse effects

Structure

See also

External links

References