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Simethicone

 
Drug Info: Simethicone
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Brand names: Alka-Seltzer® Gas ReliefColic® Colicon®Degas®Equalizer® Gas Relief DropsFlatulex® DropsGas ReliefGas Relief Dye-Free InfantsGas Relief Extra Strength SoftgelGas Relief InfantsGas Relief UltraGas-X® Gas-X® Extra StrengthGas-X® Infant Gas-X® Maximum Strength Genasyme®Infant Gas Relief DropsInfantaire™ GasLittle Tummys® Gas ReliefMaalox® Anti-GasMaalox® Anti-Gas Extra StrengthMaximum Strength GasAid®Micon® 80Mylanta® GasMylaval®MyliconMylicon®Mytab® GasPhazyme® Maximum StrengthPhazyme® Quick DissolvePhazyme® Ultra



Simethicone oral drops

What are simethicone oral drops?

SIMETHICONE (Mylicon® Infant Drops, Genasyme® Drops, Flatulex® Drops, and others) is an antiflatulent used to treat too much gas in the stomach and intestines. Swallowing too much air or eating foods that disagree often causes gas. Generic simethicone oral drops are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• an unusual or allergic reaction to simethicone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take simethicone oral drops by mouth. Use the special dropper included with the medicine. For infants, the dosage can be mixed with one ounce of cool water, infant formula or other suitable liquids to ease administration. Follow the directions on the label. If your health care providers have given you special instructions, follow their directions instead of what is on the label. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. These drops are regularly recommended for use in children and infants.

What if I miss a dose?

If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with simethicone?

• none reported

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking simethicone?

In general, simethicone is a very safe drug. Tell your health care prescriber if your symptoms get worse, or if you have severe pain, diarrhea, constipation, or blood in your stool.

What side effects may I notice from taking simethicone?

There are no reported side effects with simethicone.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Last updated: 7/1/2002

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

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Medical Dictionary: si·meth·i·cone
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Home > Library > Health > Medical Dictionary
(sĭ-mĕth'ĭ-kōn')
n.

A mixture of dimethyl polysiloxanes and silica gel that is used as an antiflatulent.

Veterinary Dictionary: simethicone
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Home > Library > Animal Life > Veterinary Dictionary

An antiflatulent substance consisting of a mixture of dimethyl polysiloxanes and silica gel. Called also activated dimethicone.

Wikipedia: Simethicone
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Simethicone
Systematic (IUPAC) name
Poly(dimethylsiloxane), silicon dioxide
Identifiers
CAS number 8050-81-5
ATC code A03AX13
PubChem 6433516
Chemical data
Formula (C2H6OSi)n · (SiO2)m
Mol. mass variable
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability not absorbed from the gut
Protein binding N/A
Metabolism N/A
Half life N/A
Excretion N/A
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

?
Legal status

OTC(US)
Routes Oral

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.

Contents

Chemical action

Simethicone is an anti-foaming agent that decreases 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 or prevent the formation of gas in the digestive tract, rather, it increases the rate at which it exits the body.[1]. However, simethicone can relieve pain caused by gas in the intestines by decreasing foaming which then allows for passing of flatus. 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

While sold as a treatment for colic, randomised controlled trials have not borne this claim out[2][3].

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 and combinations with other drugs, including:

  • Air-X (Thailand)
  • Antiflat[4][5] (Austria)
  • Baby's Own Infant Drops
  • Deflatine
  • De-Gas
  • Disflatyl
  • Espumisan
  • Flatulex
  • GasAid
  • Gascon (Taiwan)
  • Gas-Med
  • Gas Relief
  • Gasvan (Serbia)
  • Gas-X
  • Gazim X (Israel)
  • Genasyme
  • Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief (formerly Imodium Advanced)
  • Imogas
  • Infacol
  • Infacon
  • Kremil-S
  • Lefax (Germany)
  • Little Tummies
  • Maalox Anti-Gas
  • Maalox Max
  • Mag77
  • Minifom (Norway, Sweden)
  • My Baby Gas Relief Drops
  • Mylanta Gas
  • Mylanta Gas Relief
  • Mylicon Drops
  • Mylicongas (Italy)
  • Ovol
  • Phazyme
  • Rolaids
  • SAB Simplex
  • Simeco
  • Telament (South Africa)
  • Triaerom (Peru)
  • WindEze (UK)

Other uses

Simethicone is used in some detergents when foaming is unwanted.

Simethicone is also used in the fermentation process to reduce the shearing of proteins by agitation.

References

  1. ^ Norton, William (2005-01-09). "Controlling Intestinal Gas". http://www.iffgd.org/store/viewproduct/155. Retrieved 2007-07-31. 
  2. ^ University of Michigan clinical trial for simethicone used for colic
  3. ^ Patient.co.uk on colic
  4. ^ Product information (German)
  5. ^ Product information (German)


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Copyrights:

Drug Info. Gold Standard. Copyright © 2008 by Gold Standard. All rights reserved.  Read more
Medical Dictionary. The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company.  Read more
Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Simethicone".  Read more