BISMUTH NITRATE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Bismuth nitrate is a salt. It contains the heavy metal bismuth.

People use bismuth nitrate for preventing kidney damage caused by cancer drugs, for preventing bone marrow damage caused by radiation, and for a digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Bismuth nitrate is used in cosmetics as a pigment.

In December 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration added bismuth nitrate to the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Advisory List. The ingredients on this list might not be lawful to include in dietary supplements. For this reason, people may want to avoid using supplements containing bismuth nitrate.

Do not confuse bismuth nitrate with other bismuth salts. See separate listing for bismuth.

How does it work ?

Bismuth nitrate causes some cells to make a protein called metallothionein. This protein protects the cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

A digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori). Taking bismuth nitrate with two antibiotics for H. pylori infection might help heal ulcers and get rid of H. pylori in the intestines. But it's unclear if taking bismuth nitrate with antibiotics works better than other treatments for H. pylori.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bismuth nitrate is safe. It might cause side effects such as loss of appetite, headache, blue-gray discoloration of skin, or kidney damage. It can also cause black spots on the tongue and a thin blue-black line along the gum margin. If used long-term, bismuth nitrate can cause brain damage that is serious but reversible.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bismuth nitrate is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for BISMUTH NITRATE overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of bismuth nitrate depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for bismuth nitrate. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

- Jaeger A, Kopferschmitt J, Sauder Ph, Flesch F, Tournoud C. Diagnosis in clinical toxicology. In: Bolt HM, de Wolff FA, Henderson PT (eds) Medical Toxicology. Archives of Toxicology (Supplement). Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag; 1992:29-39.

Bismuth nitrate; MSDS No. B3396 [Online]; Mallenckrodt Baker: Phillipsburg, NJ, December 8, 1996. https://hazard.com/msds/mf/baker/baker/files/b3396.htm (accessed December 27, 2019).

Kagimoto O, Naganuma A, Imura N, et al. Effect of the administration of bismuth nitrate on radiogenic thymoma induction in mice. J Radiat Res. 1991;32(4):417-28. View abstract.

Kaji T, Mishima A, Yamamoto C, et al. Bismuth induces metallothionein but does not protect against cadmium cytotoxicity in cultured vascular endothelial cells. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 1996;56(4):630-4. View abstract.

Kaji T, Suzuki M, Yamamoto C, et al. Induction of metallothionein synthesis by bismuth in cultured vascular endothelial cells. Res Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 1994;86(1):25-35. View abstract.

Kondo Y, Satoh M, Imura N, Akimoto M. Effect of bismuth nitrate given in combination with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) on the antitumor activity and renal toxicity of the latter in nude mice inoculated with human bladder tumor. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 1991;29(1):19-23. View abstract.

Lewis RJ Sr. Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference. 6th Edition. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley; 2008.

Liu Y, Shen C, Zhang X, et al. Exposure and nephrotoxicity concern of bismuth with the occurrence of autophagy. Toxicol Ind Health. 2018;34(3):188-199. View abstract.

Miura N, Satoh M, Imura N, Naganuma A. Protective effect of bismuth nitrate against injury to the bone marrow by gamma-irradiation in mice: possible involvement of induction of metallothionein synthesis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1998;286(3):1427-30. View abstract.

Raafat BM, Samir WA, Khader MH. Met-Hemoglobin concentration reduction and methemoglobin reductase enhancement after applying of alpha-tocopherol and selenium combination as a radio protector against ionizing radiation exposure. Wulfenia J. 2012;19(10):373-389.

Saberi-Firoozi M, Massarrat S, Zare S, et al. Effect of triple therapy or amoxycillin plus omeprazole or amoxycillin plus tinidazole plus omeprazole on duodenal ulcer healing, eradication of Helicobacter pylori, and prevention of ulcer relapse over a 1-year follow-up period: a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Am J Gastroenterol. 1995;90(9):1419-23. View abstract.

Satoh M, Aoki Y, Tohyama C. Protective role of metallothionein in renal toxicity of cisplatinum. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 1997;40(4):358-62. View abstract.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Dietary supplement ingredient advisory list. https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplement-products-ingredients/dietary-supplement-ingredient-advisory-list. Accessed December 17, 2019.

Von Bose MJ, Zaudig M. Encephalopathy resembling Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease following oral, prescribed doses of bismuth nitrate. Br J Psychiatry. 1991;158:278-80. View abstract.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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