Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Bismuth Subnitrate and Iodoform Paste Impregnated Gauze
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Bismuth subnitrate, Iodoform may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
Possible side effects
: Hypersensitivity to iodine may produce an erythematous rash which should subside when the gauze is removed. Although rare, there are reports within the published literature of the development of encephalopathy associated with the application of BIPP, however none of the cases reported have occurred following ENT procedures. Continued overleaf
100mm Measurement Verification Bar
D05309
Pregnancy: Use is not recommended due to insufficient data.
How to store it
Bismuth & Iodoform Gauze Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use Bismuth & Iodoform Gauze after the expiry date which is stated on the label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. The doctor or nurse will check that the product has not passed this date and that the paste does not show signs of deterioration. Store between 2 and 8°C. Store in the original pouch until it is administered. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Further Information What Bismuth & Iodoform Gauze contains The active ingredients are 20% w/w Bismuth Subnitrate & 40% w/w Iodoform in Liquid Paraffin. The other ingredients are Liquid Paraffin, X-Ray detectable Fast Edge Ribbon Gauze and may contain Purified Water. What Bismuth & Iodoform Gauze looks like and contents of the pack: Bismuth Subnitrate & Iodoform Paste Impregnated Gauze is supplied in laminated pouches containing 1.25 x 100cm, 2.5 x 100cm, 1.25 x 200cm, 2.5 x 200cm, 1.25 x 300cm or 2.5 x 300cm strips of impregnated gauze. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Aurum Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Bampton Road, Harold Hill, Romford, RM3 8UG, United Kingdom. Manufacturer: University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust Queen's Hospital Burton, Pharmacy Manufacturing Unit, Belvedere Road, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 0RB, United Kingdom Product Licence Number: PL 12064/0002 This leaflet was last revised in: July 2020
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If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Continued overleaf
D05309
Bismuth Subnitrate & Iodoform Paste Impregnated Gauze Bismuth Subnitrate Iodoform Product: Bismuth Subnitrate and Iodoform Paste Impregnated Gauze. (X-ray detectable gauze)
Dose:
Black C
Indications: As an antiseptic gauze to prevent infection and thus assist healing following ENT surgery or to pack the nasal cavity and thus stop or reduce the flow of blood following acute epistaxis. ENT surgical procedures.
Sufficient impregnated gauze should be packed into the cavity to protect the operation site from infection. The gauze is left in place until the wound has healed or the graft has taken. It should not be placed into an open wound. Acute Epistaxis.
Overdosage: Severe iodine poisoning is characterised by headache, somnolence, delirium and a rapid feeble pulse. Not usually a problem when the gauze is used to pack small cavities. General supportive therapy should be given. Pharmacodynamics: Iodoform has a marked anaesthetic and antiseptic action due to the release of iodine. Bismuth subnitrate has both an astringent and an absorbent action. Pharmacokinetics:
Not applicable.
Incompatabilities: Oxidising agents, lead, silver and mercury salts. Shelf life: 24 months. Store between 2-8°C protect from light
Black C
TECHNICAL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION
Handling and Use: Do not use if packaging is damaged. Discard any unused gauze at the end of the session. Authorisation Holder: Aurum Pharmaceuticals Ltd Bampton Rd, Romford, RM3 8UG, England Date of revision: May 2002 Licence number: PL12064/0002
Sufficient impregnated gauze should be packed up the nose to stop the flow of blood. The gauze may be removed the following day or when clinical judgement dictates. Contra-indications: Hypersensitivity to iodoform, iodine and bismuth.
Frequently asked questions about Bismuth Subnitrate and Iodoform Paste Impregnated Gauze
What is the active substance in Bismuth Subnitrate and Iodoform Paste Impregnated Gauze?
The active substance in Bismuth Subnitrate and Iodoform Paste Impregnated Gauze is bismuth subnitrate, iodoform.
Are there equivalent medicines to Bismuth Subnitrate and Iodoform Paste Impregnated Gauze?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Bismuth Subnitrate & Iodoform Paste For Gauze. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Bismuth Subnitrate and Iodoform Paste Impregnated Gauze, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Bismuth Subnitrate and Iodoform Paste Impregnated Gauze without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: bismuth subnitrate, iodoform
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
a) Post ENT Surgical ProceduresAs an antiseptic gauze used to prevent infection and thus assist healing following ENT procedures.It is not recommended that the impregnated gauze be placed into open wounds.b) Acute EpistaxisTo pack the nasal cavity in order to reduce/stop the flow of blood.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
a) In ENT surgical proceduresSufficient impregnated gauzes should be packed into the cavity to protect the operation site from bacterial challenge. The gauze is left in place until the wound has healed or graft taken.It is not recommended that the impregnated gauze be placed into open wounds.b) Acute epistaxisSufficient impregnated gauze(s) is packed up in the nose to stop the blood flow. The gauze is removed the following day or when clinical judgement dictates.
4.3. Contraindications
Known hypersensitivity to Iodoform, iodine and bismuth.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Use with caution with patients suffering from hyperthyroidism.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
There is insufficient evidence of safety in pregnancy, as with all drugs it is not recommended the product is used in pregnancy.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Not applicable.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Hypersensitivity to iodine can result in an erythematous rash, which subsides on removal of the gauze.Although rare, there are reports within the published literature of the development of encephalopathy associated with the application of BIPP, however none of the cases reported have occurred following ENT procedures.
4.9. Overdose
Severe iodine poisoning is characterised by headache, somnolence, delirium and rapid feeble pulses. General supportive procedures are required. Overdose is not usually a problem when gauzes are packed in small cavities associated with the middle ear and mastoid operations.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Bismuth Subnitrate and Iodoform Paste Impregnated Gauze. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.