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Pepto 101: Your Guide to Stomach Relief (Because Stomachs Can Be Complicated)

Hi, it’s Pepto.
The pink one. The one that shows up when your stomach throws a fit.
If you’ve ever stood in the aisle (or stared at your phone) wondering, “Which Pepto is right for me?”—you’re not alone. Stomach issues don’t always come with a neat label, and neither should choosing relief.
So, let’s make this simple.
This is Pepto 101 with: what each Pepto product does, when to use it, and how to feel confident you’re choosing the right kind of stomach relief—without overthinking it.

First Things First: What Makes Pepto… Pepto?

You might say it’s our Pepto pink or our iconic song and dance—and we love those as much as you do—but we also pride ourselves on being the brand that’s got you covered when your stomach feels off.
The Pepto that many of you know is likely Pepto Bismol, which contains the active ingredient bismuth subsalicylate (BSS).¹ Fun fact: the “Bismol” in “Pepto Bismol” is a nod to the active ingredient!
Pepto Bismol coats and soothes your stomach to calm one or many digestive symptoms. Pepto Bismol relieves travelers' diarrhea, diarrhea and upset stomach due to overindulgence in food and drink, including heartburn, indigestion, nausea, gas, belching and fullness. When you’re unsure which stomach relief product to reach for, Pepto Bismol’s multi-symptom coverage helps take the guesswork out of choosing. Pepto’s been helping people feel better for over 100 years, and it’s the #1 pharmacist-recommended upset stomach brand^ for a reason: it works!

The Big Buckets: How the Pepto Family Is Organized

You might be familiar with Pepto Bismol, but there’s more to our family. We currently have three main categories of products:
  1. Multi-Symptom (Pepto Bismol and Pepto Bismol Ultra)
  2. Kids (Pepto Kids)
  3. Targeted Relief (Pepto Nausea Motion Sickness and Pepto Gas + Bloating)
Let’s break them down.

Pepto Bismol: When You Have Nausea, Heartburn, Indigestion, Upset Stomach, and Diarrhea

Pepto Bismol comes in Original and Ultra. It’s the classic Pepto experience and often where people are first introduced to the brand.

What it’s for

Pepto Bismol is for when your stomach feels generally unhappy or put another way, when you’re dealing with one or several digestive symptoms (nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea).

What it helps relieve

Pepto Bismol is a 5-in-1 stomach relief product that delivers fast, 5-symptom relief (cue the jingle):
  • Nausea
  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Upset stomach
  • Diarrhea
Just to be clear: you don’t need to have all five at once. The jingle isn’t a checklist — it’s just saying Pepto Bismol can help when any of those symptoms show up.

Pepto Original vs. Pepto Ultra: What’s the difference? (Spot the logo difference)

  • Pepto Bismol (Original): The OG Pepto that delivers trusted, effective relief for diarrhea and everyday stomach upsets due to overindulgence.
  • Pepto Bismol Ultra: Contains the same ingredients as Pepto Bismol, but with a 2× concentrated formula versus Pepto Bismol—meaning you get the same relief with half the dose.
Both contain the active ingredient bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) and both work by coating and soothing your stomach. The choice is about concentration, not effectiveness.

Please read each label and use as directed!

Flavor & Form: Finding the Pepto Bismol That Works and Works for You

We hear this a lot: “I know Pepto [Bismol] works—but what does it taste like, and how do I take it?”
The good news is that Pepto Bismol comes in multiple forms and flavors, so you can choose what feels right for you.

Pepto Bismol Forms

Pepto Bismol also comes in a variety of forms, so you can take it the way you prefer:
  • Liquid – The classic Pepto experience that’s loved for its smooth texture and immediate coating sensation
  • Chewable Tablets – Traditional chewable tablets that you chew fully, offering a familiar and convenient way to take Pepto
  • Chews – A chewable tablet with a hard outer coating and a chewy center
  • Fast Melts – Soft chewable tablets that break down quickly as you chew, with a lighter feeling texture
  • Caplets – Swallowable tablets for those who prefer a standard pill format, easy to take on the go
  • Liquicaps – Unflavored, smooth swallowable capsules

Pepto Bismol Flavors

In addition to our classic Original flavor, Pepto Bismol is available in:
  • Cherry
  • Mint (Instacool)
  • Berry Mint
  • Unflavored
Whether you prefer something familiar, something fruity, or no flavor at all, there’s a Pepto option to match your preference.

“What does Pepto Bismol ‘Original’ flavor taste like?”

The Original flavor is actually wintergreen mint flavor, but most people don’t think of it that way. To many, it’s simply the taste of Pepto—familiar, comforting, and instantly recognizable. It’s the flavor people associate with relief they trust.
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to taking medicine. Pepto Bismol offers options to help make relief feel easier. Explore our products page and apply filters to find the flavor and form that work best for you. Read each label and use as directed.

“Is multi-symptom medicine too much if I only have one issue?”

Short answer: No.
Pepto Bismol is formulated with one powerful active ingredient that works across the five symptoms (nausea, heartburn, indigestion, and upset stomach due to overindulgence and diarrhea). In other words, it delivers multi-symptom relief through a simple formulation.
Multi-symptom relief isn’t about “overmedicating”—it’s about being prepared for more digestive situations with one trusted solution (Pepto Bismol). Plus, digestive symptoms can often overlap, so it helps to have a solution that can handle many symptoms.
Think of Pepto Bismol as a multi-use product. It’s something you can keep on hand for yourself and your family members (ages 12+), since we all experience digestive issues differently.

Kids (Look for the Giraffe on Pack!)

Multi-Symptom Relief for Little Tummies
Kids’ stomachs get upset too, but they need relief designed just for them.
What it’s for
Pepto Kids is made specifically for children, with kid friendly forms and a great tasting bubblegum flavor. There are currently two options available:
  • Pepto Kids Bubblegum Antacid Chewable Tablets (Ages 2+, OTC Drug): Provide heartburn relief, acid indigestion relief, sour stomach relief, and upset stomach relief for kids.
  • Pepto Kids Bubblegum Gummies (Ages 4+, Dietary Supplement): Help relieve occasional upset stomach, acid indigestion, sour stomach, heartburn*.
If you’re shopping for a child under age 12, this is your lane.

Targeted Relief (Introducing New Active Ingredients to Pepto)

Pepto currently offers two targeted relief sub-brands to specifically address gas and separately, motion sickness:

  1. Pepto Gas + Bloating

Best for: Fast gas relief (bloating, discomfort, and pressure)2
This product is specifically formulated with simethicone for fast, targeted gas relief. It goes to work in minutes, helping relieve gas (including that uncomfortable, bloated feeling), and get you back to feeling normal.
There are currently two options available:
  • Pepto Gas + Bloating Softgels (250mg Simethicone): Max strength^ gas relief in an easy-to-swallow softgel (^The strongest dose of relief when taking 2 softgels)
  • Pepto Gas + Bloating Mint Chewable Tablets (125mg Simethicone): Convenient gas relief in a refreshing mint-flavored chewable tablet

  1. Pepto Nausea Motion Sickness

Best for: Long-lasting nausea relief due to motion sickness (cars, planes, boats, rides)
If you’re looking to treat and prevent nausea, dizziness, and vomiting from motion sickness,3 this is the product for you.

Pepto Nausea Motion Sickness tablets (OTC Drug) should not be confused with Pepto Nausea Ginger Gummies (Dietary Supplement).

Pepto Nausea Ginger Gummies

Pepto Nausea Ginger Gummies fall outside of the 3 big buckets mentioned above (Multi-Symptom, Kids, and Targeted Relief) because they are a non-medicated dietary supplement that helps prevent occasional nausea due to motion sickness*.

Choose the product if it’s right for you! Pepto Nausea Ginger Gummies come in a delightful berry citrus flavor, and it may be the best flavor we have released yet.

It’s not targeted relief like Pepto Nausea Motion Sickness, but it can still let you say, “Not today, Nausea”.

“Are single symptom products more effective than multi-symptom ones?”

No, it’s about matching the solution to the situation.
  • Multi-symptom works when you’re looking for a product that’s got you (and your family) covered in multiple situations.
  • Targeted relief works when one symptom is clearly calling the shots.
Choosing the right product each time will depend on the symptoms and the cause behind them plus the personal preference for forms, flavors, and portability. Read each label and use as directed

Still Not Sure Which Pepto to Choose?

Here’s a Simple Way to Decide
  • One product for many occasions or people? Or, multiple symptoms?
    → Pepto Bismol: Original or Ultra
  • One very specific issue (nausea from motion sickness or gas/bloating)?
    → Targeted Relief: Pepto Motion Sickness or Pepto Gas + Bloating
  • Shopping for a child?
    → Kids: Pepto Kids
No pop quiz. No wrong answers. Just relief that fits the moment. Of course, talking to a health care provider is always a great option to help ensure you’re choosing the product that best treats the causes of your symptoms.

Be sure to read each label. Use as directed.

One Last Thing (From Your Pink Sidekick)

Stomach issues are unpredictable. That’s why Pepto shows up with options, so you don’t have to tough it out, wait it out longer than you need to, worry about searching for the right product, or.

Whether you’re looking for a multi-use 5-in-1 stomach relief product, a kids’ stomach relief product, or targeted relief from gas and bloating or motion sickness, there’s a Pepto for you. Always remember to read each label, use as directed, and keep out of reach of children.

Citations:

  1. “Bismuth Subsalicylate.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607040.html. [medlineplus.gov]
  2. “Simethicone.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682683.html. [medlineplus.gov]
  3. “21 CFR Part 336 — Antiemetic Drug Products for Over‑the‑Counter Human Use.” Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-336. [ecfr.gov]