MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 8, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Health news and views MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A


Medications and Drugs

GENERIC NAME: simethicone

BRAND NAME: Phazyme; Flatulex; Mylicon; Gas-X; Mylanta Gas

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Simethicone is an anti-gas (anti-flatulence) medication. It acts in the stomach and intestines to change the surface tension of gas bubbles, enabling smaller bubbles to join together into bigger bubbles. In this way it is believed that gas can be eliminated more easily by belching or passing flatus. Simethicone was approved by the FDA in 1952.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes

PRESCRIPTION: no

PREPARATIONS: Liquid drops: 40 mg per 0.6 ml. Chewable tablets: 40mg, 80mg, 125mg. Tablets: 60mg, 95mg. Capsules: 125mg.

STORAGE: Preparations should be stored at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Simethicone is used to relieve the abdominal pain which is due to excessive gas in the digestive tract.

DOSING: Simethicone can be taken after each meal and at bedtime. The drops can be mixed with water, infant formula or other liquids for use in small children.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: There are no known drug interactions with simethicone.

PREGNANCY: Simethicone is safe during pregnancy.

NURSING MOTHERS: Simethicone is safe for use by nursing mothers.

SIDE EFFECTS: There have been no reported side effects with simethicone.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information


Last Editorial Review: 6/8/1999 10:31:00 PM




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • Drug Interactions - Learn about potential drug interactions you may be exposed to. Drug interactions can occur with prescription drugs, OTC medication, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
  • Intestinal Gas - Learn about intestinal gas (belching, bloating, flatulence) including causes, how it is evaluated, and how excessive intestinal gas is treated
  • Drugs: What You Should Know About Your Drugs - Find out what you should know about your drugs such as side effects, warnings and precautions, storage information, and if a generic version is as good as the brand name.

Latest Medical News


Back to Medications Index

GI Disorders

Get the latest treatment options.


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain



Related Drugs - WebMD Health Network

simethicone, Phazyme, Flatulex, Mylicon, Gas-X, Mylanta Gas

What causes belching?

The ability to belch is almost universal. Belching, also known as burping (medically referred to as eructation), is the act of expelling gas from the stomach out through the mouth. The usual cause of belching is a distended (inflated) stomach caused by swallowed air. The distention of the stomach causes abdominal discomfort, and the belching expels the air and relieves the discomfort. The common reasons for swallowing large amounts of air (aerophagia) are gulping food or drink too rapidly, anxiety, and carbonated beverages. People are often unaware that they are swallowing air. "Burping" infants during bottle or breastfeeding is important in order to expel air in the stomach that has been swallowed with the formula or milk.

Excessive air in the stomach is not the only cause of belching. For some people, belching becomes a habit and does not reflect the amount of air in their stomachs. For others, belching is a response to an...

Read the Intestinal Gas article »



Top 4
simethicone, Phazyme, Flatulex, Mylicon, Gas-X, Mylanta Gas Related Articles







Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.