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| '''Simethicone,''' is an [[Wiktionary:oral|oral]] [[anti-foaming agent]] used to reduce [[bloating]], discomfort and pain caused by excess gas in the stomach or intestinal tract. It is a mixture of [[polydimethylsiloxane]] and [[silica gel]].
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| ==Chemical action==
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| Simethicone is an anti-foaming agent that reduces the [[surface tension]] of gas [[bubble]]s, causing them to combine into larger bubbles in the [[stomach]] that can be passed more easily by [[burping]]. Simethicone does not reduce the quantity of gas in the [[Gastrointestinal tract|digestive tract]], it only increases the rate at which it exits the body, and is ineffective in the [[intestine]].<ref>{{Citation | last =Norton | first =William | title =Controlling Intestinal Gas | date =2005-01-09 | year =2005 | url =http://www.iffgd.org/store/viewproduct/155 | accessdate =2007-07-31}}</ref> Simethicone is not absorbed by the body into the bloodstream, and is therefore considered relatively safe, with sources reporting the worst side effects as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas and heartburn. Simethicone solutions of differing concentration also have industrial applications for reducing foaming in certain chemical processes.
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| == Dosage ==
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| Simethicone comes in many different oral forms, which have differing usual [[Effective dose|dosages]]. Though there are standard dosages for adults and teens, dosages for children should be determined by a doctor.
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| * Capsules or tablets:
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| :: Adults and teenagers: 60 to 125 milligrams (mg) four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. No more than 500 mg should be taken in twenty-four hours.
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| * Chewable tablets:
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| ::Adults and teenagers: 40 to 125 mg four times a day, after meals and at bedtime or the dose may be 150 mg three times a day, after meals. No more than 500 mg should be taken in twenty-four hours.
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| * Suspension:
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| ::Adults and teenagers: 40 to 95 mg four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. No more than 500 mg should be taken in twenty-four hours.
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| * Dissolving membrane:
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| ::A thin dissolving membrane dose that is placed on the tongue and dissolves with [[saliva]]
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| == Availability ==
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| '''Simethicone''' is generally available over the counter under many trade names in varying dosage sizes, including:
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| * Air-X (Thailand)
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| * Baby's Own Infant Drops
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| * De-Gas
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| * Espumisan
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| * Flatulex
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| * Gas Relief
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| * Gas-X
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| * GasAid
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| * Gasvan (Serbia)
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| * Genasyme
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| * Imodium Advanced
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| * lnfacol
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| * lnfacon
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| * Kremil-S
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| * Lefax (Germany)
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| * Little Tummies
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| * [[Maalox]] Anti-Gas
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| * Maalox Max
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| * Minifom (Norway, Sweden)
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| * My Baby Gas Relief Drops
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| * [[Mylanta]] Gas
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| * Mylanta Gas Relief
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| * Mylicon Drops
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| * Ovol
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| * Phazyme
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| * Simeco
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| * Triaerom (Peru)
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| * WindEze (UK)
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| == Other uses ==
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| While not indicated on the label, it has been reported that simethicone is sometimes used by patients before a [[gastroscopy]] or a [[radiography of the bowel]]. Simethicone is also used in some [[detergent]]s when foaming is unwanted.
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| Despite being useful in the treatment of gas, simethicone does not appear to be useful in the treatment of infant [[Baby colic|colic]].<ref>[http://www.med.umich.edu/pediatrics/ebm/cats/colic.htm University of Michigan clinical trial for simethicone used for colic]</ref>
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| == References ==
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| <references/>
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| * {{cite web | title=Jackson Gastroenterology - Patient Education - Simethicone | url=http://www.gicare.com/pated/simethicone.htm| accessmonthday=July 30 | accessyear=2005 }}
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| * {{cite web | title=Medline Plus - Simethicone | url=http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682683.html | accessmonthday=April 16 | accessyear=2007 }}
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| [[Category:Antiflatulents]]
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| [[Category:Food additives]]
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| [[Category:Silicones]]
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| {{Pharma-stub}}
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| [[de:Simeticon]]
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| [[fr:Siméticone]]
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| {{WikiDoc Sources}}
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