I don't know why, Lena, but my replies are again not showing up in the archives.

   Why does Pepto-Bismol sometimes darken the tongue/stool and how long
   does it last?

This discoloration is temporary and harmless. The active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol contains bismuth. When a small amount of bismuth combines with trace amounts of sulfur in your saliva and gastrointestinal tract, a black-colored substance (bismuth sulfide) is formed. This discoloration is temporary and harmless. It can last several days after you stop taking Pepto-Bismol. Individual bowel habits, your age (the intestinal tract slows down with age), and the amount of the product taken all help to determine how long Pepto-Bismol is in your system.