Bismuth nitrate
Scientific names: Bismuth nitrate
Alternate names: Bismuth(III) Nitrate, Bismuth Trinitrate, Nitric Acid (Bismuth(3+) salt), Bismuth Trinitrate Pentahydrate, Bismuth(III) Nitrate Pentahydrate
Actions: General, Nephrotoxic, Radical scavenging
Background
Bismuth nitrate is a salt. It contains the heavy metal bismuth.
People use bismuth nitrate for preventing kidney damage caused by cancer drugs, for preventing bone marrow damage caused by radiation, and for a digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Bismuth nitrate is used in cosmetics as a pigment.
In December 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration added bismuth nitrate to the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Advisory List. The ingredients on this list might not be lawful to include in dietary supplements. For this reason, people may want to avoid using supplements containing bismuth nitrate.
Do not confuse bismuth nitrate with other bismuth salts. See separate listing for bismuth.
People use bismuth nitrate for preventing kidney damage caused by cancer drugs, for preventing bone marrow damage caused by radiation, and for a digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Bismuth nitrate is used in cosmetics as a pigment.
In December 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration added bismuth nitrate to the Dietary Supplement Ingredient Advisory List. The ingredients on this list might not be lawful to include in dietary supplements. For this reason, people may want to avoid using supplements containing bismuth nitrate.
Do not confuse bismuth nitrate with other bismuth salts. See separate listing for bismuth.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bismuth nitrate is safe. It might cause side effects such as loss of appetite, headache, blue-gray discoloration of skin, or kidney damage. It can also cause black spots on the tongue and a thin blue-black line along the gum margin. If used long-term, bismuth nitrate can cause brain damage that is serious but reversible.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bismuth nitrate is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- A digestive tract infection that can lead to ulcers (Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori). Taking bismuth nitrate with two antibiotics for H. pylori infection might help heal ulcers and get rid of H. pylori in the intestines. But it's unclear if taking bismuth nitrate with antibiotics works better than other treatments for H. pylori.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of bismuth nitrate depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for bismuth nitrate. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Bismuth Nitrate interacts with any medicines. Before taking Bismuth Nitrate, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Bismuth nitrate causes some cells to make a protein called metallothionein. This protein protects the cells from damage caused by free radicals.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 03/10/2024 10:00:00. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
