Kaopectate Caplets, where have you gone?

I guess that’s a rhetorical question – I know exactly where they went. Pfizer discontinued them, and then sold the brand to a small company in Tennessee. The liquid is still being manufactured and can be found, but the caplets, they are gone. I’ve cleared most of the shelves here in MA, bought out any I could find online, have sent urgent requests to friends and family around the country to look for them, and have managed to locate a few boxes here and there. I have about 1 week worth left. I’ve switched to the liquid for home and work. The caplets for me were more about convenience. I mean, who wants to carry an 8 oz bottle with them everywhere? And exactly how am I supposed to take a trip – put 10 bottles of the stuff in my suitcase, and hope and pray the TSA lets me take a bottle with me on the plane?? Thanks Pfizer.

I don’t know why Kaopectate seemed to work and yet Pepto Bismol, with the exact same active ingredient, bismuth subsalicylate, in the same strength 226 mg does not work. I don’t know why Imodium has no effect. The doctors don’t know. They shake their heads and say “hmm…it “should” work”. They have no advice on what to do now that my precious Kaopectate caplets are gone. I tried not eating, but still drinking so that I don’t get dehydrated, but guess what - I still had diarrhea! No, the Kaopectate didn’t get rid of it either. Yes, the liquid helps somewhat. So I am taking that, but the truth is that things have gotten worse in the past few weeks. And I don’t know what to do or how to fix it.

So if you happen to be in a Brooks drugstore, look at the shelf. See if they have any Kaopectate caplets – this one (not the stool softener). If they do, buy them and send them to me. I’ll pay ya for them. Thanks. CVS, Walgreens, RiteAide, Walmart, Target, Shaw’s, Stop & Shop all do NOT stock them- don’t bother I’ve checked. I’ve also emptied the warehouse for Brooks, drugstore.com, etc.

It’s amazing the difference a year can make. Last year at this time I couldn’t walk, I was undergoing my 3rd operation in 3 weeks, spring seemed light years away, and I felt completely helpless. At least now I can walk, the crocuses are blooming, and no one is chasing me with a consent form and a scalpel.