attapulgite/bismuth subsalicylate/kaolin/pectin (Kaopectate)

Indications

• adjunctive therapy for management of diarrhea

Mechanism of action

• originally contained kaolin & pectin
• later switched to attapulgite
• reformulated in 2003 to contain bismuth subsalicylate

More general terms

• pharmacologic combination
• antidiarrheal agent

Components

• bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, BSS, Kaopectate)
• attapulgite (Kaopectate)
• kaolin (hydrated aluminum silicate)
• pectin