Simethicone
 | |
| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
|---|---|
| Poly(dimethylsiloxane), silicon dioxide | |
| Clinical data | |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | monograph |
| |
| Oral | |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | not absorbed from the gut |
| Protein binding | N/A |
| Metabolism | N/A |
| Half-life | N/A |
| Excretion | N/A |
| Identifiers | |
8050-81-5  | |
| A03AX13 | |
| PubChem | CID 6433516 |
| ChEMBL |
CHEMBL1200838  |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | (C2H6OSi)n · (SiO2)m |
| variable | |
| (what is this?) (verify) | |
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[1][2]— in the stomach or intestines. Simethicone is a mixture of polydimethylsiloxane and hydrated silica gel.
Chemical action and pharmaceutical effects
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.[3] However, simethicone can relieve pain caused by gas in the intestines by decreasing foaming, which then allows for easier passing of flatulence.
Simethicone is not absorbed by the body into the bloodstream, and is therefore considered relatively safe. National Institutes of Health (NIH)[4] 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.[5][6]
Simethicone solutions of differing concentration also have industrial applications for reducing foaming in certain chemical processes.
The use of simethicone can help reduce visual obstructions caused by intestinal gas during ultrasounds of the abdomen, although it has no effect on extraluminal gas outside the colon.
Simethicone does not reduce the formation of gas in the digestive tract; however, enzyme supplements consumed along with meals (such as alpha-galactosidase, marketed as Beano) do work in this way.
Availability
Simethicone is generally available over the counter under many brand names in varying dosage sizes and combinations with other drugs, including:
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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.
Side effects
The most common adverse effects of simethicone are gastrointestinal symptoms, including mild diarrhea, nausea, regurgitation, and vomiting.[9]
References
- ↑ http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/digestive_disorders/gas_in_the_digestive_tract_85,P00369/
- ↑ http://www.badgut.org/information-centre/intestinal-gas.html
- ↑ Norton, William (2005-01-09). "Controlling Intestinal Gas". Retrieved 2007-07-31.
- ↑ PubMed Health, produced by National Center for Biotechnology, a division of the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health; see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000747/
- ↑ University of Michigan clinical trial for simethicone used for colic
- ↑ Patient.co.uk on colic
- ↑ Product information (German)
- ↑ Product information (German)
- ↑ from Micromedex Dug Information. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
External links
- "Jackson Gastroenterology - Patient Education - Simethicone". Retrieved Nov 11, 2013.
- "Medline Plus - Simethicone". Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved Nov 11, 2013.
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