My Favorite After-Cocktail Cocktail
Written: Dec 07 '00 (Updated Dec 07 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Instant relief for nausea and upset stomach, taste
Cons: Worthless for heartburn
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| driver4t5's Full Review: Pepto-Bismol Original Formula Liquid |
My college career and young adulthood consisted of arduous, nose-to-grindstone existence punctuated by occasional, infrequent nights of reckless alcohol-ingesting rampage. While I was wise enough during those times to be passenger4t5 instead of driver4t5, I wasn't careful enough about staying within my liver's limits for screening whatever alcohol-based bile I furiously dumped into my system. Now throw in the fact that I get a hangover the next day just from sniffing a beer bottle and you get an idea of the magnitude of the morning after's self-induced Purgatory.
Never was I more intimate with God back in those days than when I was prone on my back begging for forgiveness and cutting myriad deals (including the ever popular "I won't driiiiiiiiink anymorrrrrrrrre" chant) if only He would get me through the bastinado. When the ceiling is repeatedly dropping 5 feet to smack my forehead, my body feels like it took the submissive position as a steamroller had its way with me, and the bed is approaching 10,000 RPM, the body's natural recovery process needs heavy artillery. Pepto Bismol is my Sherman Tank.
The scope of this review is to tell my impressions of HOW the product works, rather than regurgitation of information found on the label. Anyone can copy the ingredients and dosage information from a package. I will, however, list the more pertinent data. For dosages, check the label.
Pepto-Bismol has been around for ages. It promises relief for upset stomach, nausea, indigestion, heartburn, and diarrhea. I have had occasion to test the pink stuff on all of these maladies, with varied results.
UPSET STOMACH - Pepto works well here. Any rumblings I've had were quickly and effectively quieted within moments of ingesting the pink, wintergreen-flavored suspension.
NAUSEA - The worst part of a hangover. After a heavy night of self-pollution when my stomach won't hold even water, it WILL hold down Pepto Bismol. The relief comes within a couple minutes and effectively kills the urge to give the contents of my guts a return trip through my mouth. Bed spins don't completely stop, but they do slow to a better-detailed blur. I have found nothing to be better for alcohol-induced nausea or for other bouts of queasiness not affiliated with drinking.
INDIGESTION - Pepto isn't quite as stellar here. It helps some with pain and gas relief, but doesn't work as well as other medicine specifically formulated to target this condition. I'd use Pepto here in a pinch and remember to buy better weapons next time I'm shopping.
HEARTBURN - Largely ineffective. I start with acid reflux, I take Pepto, I end with wintergreen acid reflux. This product does NOT neutralize acid, and acid is the main factor why heartburn is a pain. Users are better off using Maalox or Tums for heartburn and saving Pepto-Bismol for its nausea-combating tasks.
DIARRHEA - I have found this product reasonably effective, although the dosage must be administered repeatedly to successfully combat this. Kaopectate tastes nastier yet works considerably better. Use Pepto for diarrhea only if a better medicine isn't immediately available.
A FEW WORDS ABOUT INTERACTIONS:
Concerning aspirin, there has been considerable buzz about whether taking aspirin in conjunction with Pepto is safe. These can be combined, but if ringing is heard in the ears, STOP THE DOSAGE!
This product doesn't contain aspirin, but CAN create an adverse reaction in those who are allergic to aspirin.
Parents administering to children should not administer this medicine to children exhibiting nausea or vomiting while recovering from chicken pox or the flu. These are possible signs of a rare illness called Reye Syndrome and a doctor should be consulted.
People on anticoagulation (blood-thinning) medicine should get a recommendation from a doctor, especially if combining with aspirin.
Pepto Bismol is meant to provide TEMPORARY relief. If symptoms persist for more than two days, call in the docs.
As for the post-cocktail coctail, here's my Quick Hangover Relief Recipe:
1 Shot Pepto-Bismol (a plastic shot glass is provided)
4 Tablets Aspirin (again, heed the warning above!)
Ice
Shake Pepto-Bismol, pour dose into shot glass, then empty into small glass with ice. Take aspirin. Chase with Pepto-Bismol. Repeat Pepto-Bismol and Ice chaser every half-hour until bed spins and ceiling head-butts abate. At times like these, nobody could make a better drink - not even Ladycynic. The aspirin is to keep the ceiling where it belongs and help relieve the jackhammers pounding at the head. The ice is purely a matter of taste - I like my Pepto chilled.
Pepto Bismol does have a shelf life. Refrigeration can extend this date a little bit, nevertheless, check the label.
The active ingredient is bismuth subsalicylate, for those into chemistry.
Summation: I find Pepto Bismol to be a highly effective salvation for nausea and upset stomachs. It works fair with indigestion and diarrhea, but is outshined by products that specialize in these afflictions. For heartburn, forget the pink stuff.
God forgives all, but sometimes His forgiveness is delayed, especially when it comes to the morning after a wild alcoholic bender. Fortunately, Pepto Bismol offers an instant and effective, albeit not eternal, blessing.
Recommended:
Yes
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driver4t5
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Member: Jon Harney
Location: Lake Mary, FL
Reviews written: 147
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About Me:
2000 - 2001 Epinions Fixture...Now living off of my Eroyalties Millions
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