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Simeticone
Anti-foaming agent used to reduce bloating, discomfort or pain caused by excessive gas From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Simeticone (INN), also known as simethicone (USAN), is an anti-foaming agent used to reduce bloating, discomfort or pain caused by excessive gas.
 | This article is missing information about the history of simeticone. (September 2021) |
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Medical uses
Simethicone is used to relieve the symptoms of excessive gas in the gastrointestinal tract, namely bloating, burping, and flatulence.[2][3] While there is a lack of conclusive evidence that simethicone is effective for this use,[4][5][failed verification] studies have shown that it can relieve symptoms of functional dyspepsia[6] and functional bloating.[7]
It has not been fully established that simethicone is useful to treat colic in babies,[8] and it is not recommended for this purpose.[5] A study in the United Kingdom reported that according to parental perception simethicone helped infant colic in some cases.[9]
Simethicone can also be used for suspected postoperative abdominal discomfort in infants.[10]
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Side effects
Simethicone does not have any serious side effects.[11] Two uncommon side effects (occurring in 1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000 patients) are constipation and nausea.[12]
Though poorly documented,[13] some studies show a possible negative interaction between simethicone and levothyroxine, meaning it can possibly bind levothyroxine in the GI tract and hence reduce its absorption leaving the patient prone to clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism. It is important to mention the long T1/2 of levothyroxine which makes the phenomenon a matter of at least a week of using levothyroxine with simethicone. To prevent this interaction, simethicone is recommended to be taken at least 4 hours before or after levothyroxine.[14]
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Pharmacology
Simethicone is a non-systemic surfactant which decreases the surface tension of gas bubbles in the GI tract.[11] This allows gas bubbles to leave the GI tract as flatulence or belching.[11] Simethicone does not reduce or prevent the formation of gas.[15] Its effectiveness has been shown in several in vitro studies.[16][17]
Chemistry
Simethicone is a mixture of dimethicone and silicon dioxide.[18]
Names
Summarize
Perspective
The INN name is "simethicone", which was added to the INN recommended list in 1999.[19]
Simethicone is marketed under many brand names and in many combination drugs; it is also marketed as a veterinary drug.[20]
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References
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