Simethicone

Indication

Upper Gl bloating

Flatulence, abdominal distention, fullness, gas and windy colic: Simethicone is an excellent and effective antiflatulent. It is used for relief of the painful symptoms of excess gas in the digestive tract. Such gas is frequently caused by excessive swallowing of air or by eating foods that disagree. Simethicone drop is especially used in infants, acts in the stomach and intestines. Thus Simethicone enables freeing and eliminating the gas more easily by belching or passing flatus.

Large bowel preparation: Addition of Simethicone to a polyethylene glycol bowel preparation produces symptomatic improvement prior to investigation in the management of accidental ingestion of foaming detergents.

Treatment of poisoning: Simethicone has an anecdotal use as an antifoaming agent in the management of accidental ingestion of foaming detergents.

Pharmacology

Simethicone is used as an antiflatulent to relieve symptoms commonly referred to gas including upper GI bloating, pressure, fullness or stuffed feeling. The clinical use of Simeticone is based on its antifoaming properties. Its antifoaming action relieves flatulence by dispersing and preventing the formation of mucous surrounded gas pockets in the GI tract.

Simeticone acts in the stomach and intestines to change the surface tension of gas bubbles, enabling them to coalesce; thus gas is freed and eliminated more easily by belching or passing flatus. Simeticone aids in the elimination of gas from the GI tract and can be used to reduce postoperative gas pains. Simeticone can also be used prior to gastroscopy to enhance visualization and prior to radiography of the intestine to reduce gas shadows.

Dosage

Take after meals and at bedtime. Can be given with infant’s feeds. Shake the bottle well before each use.

Children less than 2 years of age: 20 mg (0.3 ml Simethicone Paediatric Drops) 4 times daily up to 240 mg/day (3.6 ml Simethicone Paediatric Drops).

Children 2-12 years of age: 40 mg (0.6 ml Simethicone Paediatric Drops) 4 times daily.

Adults:

40-125 mg (0.6 ml-1.9 ml Simethicone Paediatric Drops) 4 times daily, up to 500 mg/day (7.5 ml Simethicone Paediatric Drops) or
1-3 Simethicone chewable tablets; 4 times daily, up to 500 mg/day (12 Simethicone chewable tablets).

Administration

Interaction

There is no evidence that Simethicone modifies the effect of other drugs. The defoaming effect of Simethicone is reduced by antacids such as Aluminium Hydroxide and Magnesium Carbonate, which absorb the Silicone.

Contraindications

Side Effects

Simethicone is physiologically inert and no adverse effect has been noted after oral ingestion.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnant women: No data are available to suggest any harmful effects.

Lactating mother: Excretion of simethicone in breast milk has not been established, and would be most unlikely.

Precautions & Warnings

Do not exceed 12 doses per day except under the advice and supervision of a physician.

Use in Special Populations

Therapeutic Class

Anti-dyspeptic/Carminatives

Overdose Effects

Duration of treatment

Reconstitution

Storage Conditions

Should be stored in cool and dry place, protected from light. Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.

Simethicone

Available Brand Names