Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Dark Discolouration In Stool?
Question: Why are my stools dark? There's no out of the ordinary odor, (such as blood), but they are very soft and dark.
Brief Answer:
Question
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Before I answer, can you tell me: are your stools black and tarry? Look like tar?
How often do you use the Pepto Bismol and what do you use it for? And when did you start it?
What medical/health problems do you have?
What medications do you take other than the Pepto Bismol and Imodium?
Thanks.
Question
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Before I answer, can you tell me: are your stools black and tarry? Look like tar?
How often do you use the Pepto Bismol and what do you use it for? And when did you start it?
What medical/health problems do you have?
What medications do you take other than the Pepto Bismol and Imodium?
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Started taking Pepto about a week ago because my stools are loose. Yes, stools are black. I am Diabetic, have Hypertension, Thyroid problem ( taking Synthroid for that), and I take different vitamins.
Brief Answer:
Pepto Bismol can cause a dark color to stool.
Detailed Answer:
Pepto Bismol can cause stool to be black. This is not concerning and is just an effect of the bismuth in the medicine. If the black color started after you started the Pepto Bismol, that would explain the color. But the stool color change from Pepto Bismol is more of a dark gray-black or green-black color. And doesn't look like tar.
However, if the stool looks like tar (not just black, but black tar), then that can mean bleeding from the upper GI tract (stomach, esophagus). The acid in the stomach will turn the blood to something that looks like tar.
So, if you suspect it is the latter, go in to be seen by a doctor. The doctor can do a rectal exam, get a stool sample that way, and test it for blood. Or give you stool cards to take home and wipe stool onto the cards and bring back in for testing. The doctor would also press over your stomach and duodenum to see if it causes tenderness or he/she feels anything wrong.
But - it could be the bismuth in the Pepto Bismol.
Pepto Bismol can cause a dark color to stool.
Detailed Answer:
Pepto Bismol can cause stool to be black. This is not concerning and is just an effect of the bismuth in the medicine. If the black color started after you started the Pepto Bismol, that would explain the color. But the stool color change from Pepto Bismol is more of a dark gray-black or green-black color. And doesn't look like tar.
However, if the stool looks like tar (not just black, but black tar), then that can mean bleeding from the upper GI tract (stomach, esophagus). The acid in the stomach will turn the blood to something that looks like tar.
So, if you suspect it is the latter, go in to be seen by a doctor. The doctor can do a rectal exam, get a stool sample that way, and test it for blood. Or give you stool cards to take home and wipe stool onto the cards and bring back in for testing. The doctor would also press over your stomach and duodenum to see if it causes tenderness or he/she feels anything wrong.
But - it could be the bismuth in the Pepto Bismol.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
