Simethicone

Simethicone, is an oral anti-foaming agent used to reduce bloating, discomfort and pain caused by excess gas in the stomach or intestinal tract. It is a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane and silica gel.

Chemical action

Simethicone is an anti-foaming agent that reduces the surface tension of gas bubbles, causing them to combine into larger bubbles in the stomach that can be passed more easily by burping. Simethicone does not reduce the quantity of gas in the digestive tract, it only increases the rate at which it exits the body, and is ineffective in the intestine. Simethicone is not absorbed by the body into the bloodstream, and is therefore considered relatively safe, with sources reporting the worst side effects as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas and heartburn. Simethicone solutions of differing concentration also have industrial applications for reducing foaming in certain chemical processes.

Dosage

Simethicone comes in many different oral forms, which have differing usual dosages. Though there are standard dosages for adults and teens, dosages for children should be determined by a doctor.

• Capsules or tablets:

Adults and teenagers: 60 to 125 milligrams (mg) four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. No more than 500 mg should be taken in twenty-four hours.

• Chewable tablets:

Adults and teenagers: 40 to 125 mg four times a day, after meals and at bedtime or the dose may be 150 mg three times a day, after meals. No more than 500 mg should be taken in twenty-four hours.

• Suspension:

Adults and teenagers: 40 to 95 mg four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. No more than 500 mg should be taken in twenty-four hours.

• Dissolving membrane:

A thin dissolving membrane dose that is placed on the tongue and dissolves with saliva

Availability

Simethicone is generally available over the counter under many trade names in varying dosage sizes, including:

• Air-X (Thailand)
• Baby's Own Infant Drops
• De-Gas
• Espumisan
• Flatulex
• Gas Relief
• Gas-X
• GasAid
• Gasvan (Serbia)
• Genasyme
• Imodium Advanced
• lnfacol
• lnfacon
• Kremil-S
• Lefax (Germany)
• Little Tummies
• Maalox Anti-Gas
• Maalox Max
• Minifom (Norway, Sweden)
• My Baby Gas Relief Drops
• Mylanta Gas
• Mylanta Gas Relief
• Mylicon Drops
• Ovol
• Phazyme
• Simeco
• Triaerom (Peru)
• WindEze (UK)

Other uses

While not indicated on the label, it has been reported that simethicone is sometimes used by patients before a gastroscopy or a radiography of the bowel. Simethicone is also used in some detergents when foaming is unwanted.

Despite being useful in the treatment of gas, simethicone does not appear to be useful in the treatment of infant colic.

References

• "Jackson Gastroenterology - Patient Education - Simethicone".
• "Medline Plus - Simethicone".