Bismuth subgallate, with a chemical formula C7H5BiO6, is commonly used to treat malodor by deodorizing flatulence 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 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.[1]

Bismuth subgallate
Skeletal formula of bismuth subgallate
Ball-and-stick model of the bismuth subgallate molecule
Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.comInternational Drug Names
Routes of
administration
Oral
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
  • 2,7-dihydroxy-1,3,2-benzodioxabismole-5-carboxylic acid
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
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ChEBI
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.002.493 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC7H5BiO6
Molar mass394.091 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Density1.1 g/cm3
  • OC(=O)c2cc1O[Bi](O)Oc1c(O)c2
  • InChI=1S/C7H6O5.Bi.H2O/c8-4-1-3(7(11)12)2-5(9)6(4)10;;/h1-2,8-10H,(H,11,12);;1H2/q;+3;/p-3 checkY
  • Key:JAONZGLTYYUPCT-UHFFFAOYSA-K checkY
 ☒NcheckY (what is this?)  (verify)

Also, a double blind study in 1974 reported its effectiveness as a flatulence/stool deodorant in ileostomy patients.[2]

Adverse effects

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It can cause darkening of the tongue and stools, which is temporary.[3]

In 1974, a reversible encephalopathy was noted and examined in four colon cancer patients taking bismuth subgallate after abdominoperineal resection.[4]

Bismuth subgallate is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the substance, and should be used with caution in people with liver disease or kidney disease.[3] It is grouped in pregnancy category C[3] (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, very little bismuth subgallate passes over to the child.[3]

Structure

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The crystal structure of bismuth subgallate.[5]

Crystal structure determination of bismuth subgallate revealed it is a coordination polymer with the formula [Bi(C6H2(O)3COOH)(H2O)]n2nH2O.[5] 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.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Gorbach SL (September 1990). "Bismuth therapy in gastrointestinal diseases". Gastroenterology. 99 (3): 863–75. doi:10.1016/0016-5085(90)90983-8. PMID 2199292.
  2. ^ Sparberg M (March 1974). "Correspondence: Bismuth subgallate as an effective means for the control of ileostomy odor: a double blind study". Gastroenterology. 66 (3): 476. doi:10.1016/S0016-5085(74)80150-2. PMID 4813513.
  3. ^ a b c d "Bismuth subgallate (OTC) Devrom". Medscape. Retrieved 2015-12-02.
  4. ^ Burns R, Thomas DW, Barron VJ (February 1974). "Reversible encephalopathy possibly associated with bismuth subgallate ingestion". British Medical Journal. 1 (5901): 220–3. doi:10.1136/bmj.1.5901.220. PMC 1633100. PMID 4818163.
  5. ^ a b c Wang Y, Takki S, Cheung O, Xu H, Wan W, Öhrström L, Inge AK (July 2017). "Elucidation of the elusive structure and formula of the active pharmaceutical ingredient bismuth subgallate by continuous rotation electron diffraction". Chemical Communications. 53 (52): 7018–7021. doi:10.1039/C7CC03180G. PMID 28613325.