AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph Routes of
administration Oral Legal status US: OTC | Pregnancy
category A ATC code A03AX13 (WHO) Bioavailability None | |
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Simethicone
Simethicone is an orally administered anti-foaming agent used to reduce bloating, discomfort or pain caused by excessive gas — mainly swallowed air, with small amounts of hydrogen and methane— in the stomach or intestines. In addition to that, it is administered orally after intoxication with detergents. Simethicone is a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane and hydrated silica gel.
Contents
Mechanism of 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. 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. Simethicone can relieve pain caused by gas in the intestines by decreasing foaming, which then allows for easier passing of flatulence.
Medical uses
Simethicone is not absorbed by the body into the bloodstream and is therefore considered relatively safe. National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports there are usually no side effects when simethicone is taken as directed. Although simethicone has also been promoted as a treatment for colic in babies, randomised controlled trials have not demonstrated efficacy for this use; despite traditional views on the subject, colic does not appear to be caused by gas.
Availability
Simethicone is generally available over the counter under many brand names in varying dosage sizes and combinations with other drugs, including:
Side effects
The most common adverse effects of simethicone are gastrointestinal symptoms, including mild diarrhea, nausea, regurgitation, and vomiting.