Simethicone
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| Clinical data | |
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| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| Pregnancy category |
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| Routes of administration |
Oral |
| ATC code | |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | None |
| Protein binding | 0% |
| Metabolism | Not metabolized |
| Biological half-life | N/A |
| Excretion | feces |
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| CAS Number | |
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| ChEMBL | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.107.016 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | (C2H6OSi)n · (SiO2)m |
| Molar mass | variable |
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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.
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.
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.
Simethicone is generally available over the counter under many brand names in varying dosage sizes and combinations with other drugs, including:
The most common adverse effects of simethicone are gastrointestinal symptoms, including mild diarrhea, nausea, regurgitation, and vomiting.
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