From:
"manajane21"
Date: 2010-01-05 19:17:51 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Need Help Finding...
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Okay, I am a pharmaceutical chemist, so let me try and make things a little more clear for you.
The active ingredient in the majority or anti-nasuea and anti-diarrheal meds in BISMUTH SUBSALICYLATE (commonly known as pink bismuth). This is not the same as the active ingredient in aspirin, which is ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID. So, as you can tell from the names (would show you the chemical structures if I could because they are two completely different chemical structures.) they are not the same. It is not that you have bismuth combined with salicylic acid. BUT, the problem with pink bismuth is that it is metabolized in the body to salicylic acid (what you call SA, which for all intensive purposes IS aspirin).
You are correct in that kaopectate contains SA. I honestly don't know why the formulation changed. My guess is bismuth subsalicylate is cheap to make, and since not all people are prone to ulcers like ferrets, it is not a problem.
The confusion over Immodium results from this. The brand name IMMODIUM can have two different formulations. One containing loperamide only, which helps control diarrhea. But, loperamide is not fast acting. Pink bismuth is though. So, the other type of immodium contains both loperamide and pink bismuth for short and long term relief. So, one type of immodium should be fine for ferrets, while the other is not. You need to find the package that does not contain the pink bismuth (ie; bismuth subsalicylate or salicylic acid).
PLEASE NOTE that I am not a vet, so I do not know if there are any other potential problems with using loperamide in ferrets. You need to contact your vet for that information.
If anyone ever has any chemistry questions, I am always more than willing to try and answer them. While am I pharmaceutical chemist by trade, I am a ferret lover at heart.
regards,
Amanda
> 1. Salcylic acid = aspirin. Aspirin is hard on the stomach, which is why
> its inclusion in current OTC formulas is bad for ferrets.
> 2. I've spent several hours on the internet & made several calls trying to
> track down the bismuth; thus far, no luck. I've talked to several
> pharmacists (still waiting to hear from one), contacted my local compounding
> pharmacy where I get Indy's Pred & Diazoxide; searched various chemical
> manufacturer/distrubutor websites, etc.
> 3. I haven't found out why this compound (by itself) suddenly disappeared
> from the market. I have no idea if it was somehow rendered unsafe without
> having aspirin added, or what. I find it odd that you can find the p.b.
> ONLY with s.a. added; you'd think if it was somehow unsafe by itself, the
> addition of a potentially problematic ingredient would make it worse -- but
> I'm not a chemist, so I have no clue.
> 4. I haven't yet found out why just about all OTC medications for
> stomach/intestinal issues now contain aspirin, especially since it can cause
> problems.
> 5. Kaopectate, immodium, etc. all contain the S.A. now.
> 6. I'm leery of going out of the country (Canada, Mexico, China, etc.) to
> obtain meds, because there isn't any regulation, you can't really verify
> strength or ingredients, etc. I'm not thrilled at the idea of giving my
> little guy a "pig in a poke" -- he has enough issues to deal with.
>
> I'm going to keep looking for now, and wait to hear back from the one
> pharmacist who is trying to special order it for me.
>
> Thank you! :)
>
> ~Eri in TX
> Indy, Siri, and Pixie
>
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