Simeticone

Simeticone is effective for flatulence (meteorism) and flatulence, as well as for abdominal pain and bloating. Simeticone can also be used to treat three-month colic in infants. Simeticone belongs to the group of carminatives (flatulence stimulants). It is also used as an antidote for poisoning with surfactants because it reduces foaming. Surfactants are substances contained in detergents, soaps and washing-up liquids. Simeticone is present at room temperature as a grayish-white, viscous liquid and is insoluble in water. As it does not act throughout the body (systemically), but only selectively (locally), it is considered to be very safe. Simeticone is also used before abdominal examinations (e.g. X-rays, ultrasound) to improve the quality of imaging, which is disturbed by gases, and thus make diagnoses easier to make.

Simeticone is a defoaming agent, i.e. it reduces foaming (gas formation) in the intestine. This works by changing the surface tension of the gas bubbles in the intestine. Simeticone increases the tension and as a result the gas bubbles burst, become larger gas bubbles and can escape as burps or flatulence. Simeticone does not reduce the flatulence or burps, but increases the number of them. For this reason, the gases are expelled more quickly and the resulting discomfort, such as a feeling of fullness or pain, is reduced. Once all the gas has been expelled, there is less or no more burping or flatulence. Simeticone is not absorbed into the bloodstream and is not metabolized. It is therefore excreted unchanged in the stool.

Always take simeticone exactly as described in the package leaflet or as advised by your doctor.

The usual recommended dose is

• in adults (> 14 years) 240-400 mg daily
• for children aged 6-14 years 120 - 400 mg daily
• for children aged 1-6 years 120 - 200 mg daily
• 40 mg for infants

In infants, the dose is simply added to the milk or administered as drops before or after breastfeeding.

The maximum daily dose for adults is 500 mg/day.

The maximum daily dose for children is

under 10.9 kg - 240 mg/day

over 10.9 kg - 480 mg/day

In the case of poisoning with surfactants, the dose may be higher:

• up to 800 mg for adults
• up to 400 mg for children

Simeticone should be taken with or after meals or before going to bed.

Simeticone is available in the form of tablets, chewable tablets and oral solutions ("juices").

The following side effects may occur:

Occasionally:

• Constipation
• Nausea

Rarely:

• Tongue edema
• Facial edema
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Respiratory problems
• Rash

Interactions may occur if the following medicines are taken at the same time:

• Levothyroxine and triiodothyronine (thyroid hormones) - their effect can be weakened by simeticone and should therefore be taken at least 4 hours apart
• Warfarin (anticoagulant)
• Digoxin (cardiac glycoside)
• Ribavirin (antiviral agent)
• Carbamazepine (anticonvulsant)

Simeticone must not be taken in the following cases

• if you are allergic to simeticone
• if you have an intestinal obstruction (ileus)

If you suffer from phenylketonuria , you should discuss this with your doctor before taking simeticone, as liquid simeticone preparations may contain phenylalanine.

Simeticone is approved for infants, children, adolescents and adults. It should be noted that not all different preparations are approved for every age group.

Simeticone can be taken without hesitation during pregnancy, as no harm to the unborn child is to be expected due to the lack of absorption into the bloodstream (resorption). However, it should be mentioned that due to the lack of absorption, few studies have been carried out on this and therefore the scope of experience is limited.

Simeticone can also be taken safely during breastfeeding , as it is not absorbed into the bloodstream and therefore cannot pass into breast milk. Simeticone can also be used to treat flatulence in infants.