A woman got an unwelcome surprise when she opened the medicine cabinet. A bottle of Pepto-Bismol had spilled on the bottom.
The surprise wasn’t the mess, however. It was the lack of mess.
In a TikTok with 1.1 million views, Letitia (@leticiaslittlelife) reveals that the Pepto-Bismol has dried into a thin, papery substance.
It’s enough to put her off the anti-nausea and anti-diuretic medication for life. “I ain’t never drinking this [expletive] again. How the [expletive] is it going to dry just like paper?” she says.
“Like I’m happy because no mess but does that not scare y’all?” she says.
Leticia didn’t immediately respond to a direct message sent via TikTok.
What’s Pepto-Bismol anyway?
Pepto-Bismol is an over-the-counter medication that’s used to treat a variety of mild stomach issues, including heartburn, upset stomach, and indigestion. It works by coating the digestive tract, relieving the irritation that upsets your stomach.
It comes in liquid, tablets, and chewables for kids. Take note that the Mayo Clinic doesn’t recommend giving the medicine to children under 12. As with any medication, you should consult your physician before taking it.
The active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol is bismuth subsalicylate. This is the best-known form of the medicine, but it’s also sold as Pepti-Calm, BisBacter, and pink bismuth.
Although the relatively mild medication is a staple in most households and is generally seen as harmless, there are some risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and people with certain allergies, on various medications, and with some conditions.
Is it supposed to dry like that?
Although it’s a bit disconcerting to see a liquid dry into a paper-like substance like the Pepto-Bismol in Leticia’s cabinet, there’s nothing to be concerned about. All the water has simply evaporated.
People who commented on her TikTok generally agree that the dried form of Pepto-Bismol is supposed to look like that.
“That … isn’t an indicator that something is harmful,” wrote one. Another person pointed out that the medicine does the same thing in your stomach. A third noted that stomach acid is stronger than battery acid.
@leticiaslittlelife what are they putting in ts? #fyp #peptobismol @PeptoBismol ♬ original sound – leticiaslittlelife
“Y’all scared of this but still drink Coca-Cola,” a user named Duran commented. They’re likely referring to the fact that the popular soda will dissolve a penny.
Proctor & Gamble, the maker of Pepto-Bismol, did not respond to an inquiry sent via the contact form on its website.
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