Activated Dimethicone, Activated Methylpolysiloxane / Dimethecon, MPS.
Simethicone is a grey Translucent Viscous Fluid, which contains Polydimethyl Siloxane and Silicone Dioxide. It is insoluble in water and alcohol.
The clinical use of Simethicone is based on its antifoam properties. Silicone antifoams spread on the surface of aqueous liquids, forming a film of low surface tension and thus causing collapse of foam bubbles. Simethicone reportedly allows mucus surrounding gas bubbles in GL tract to coalesce and be expelled.
Simethicone is used as an adjunet in combination with Aluminium and Magnesium Salts being used as antacids in the symptomatic treatment of flatulence, functional gastric bloating and postoperative gas pains. It is used as an antiflatulent to relieve symptoms commonly referred to as gas, including upper GL bloating, pressure fullness or stuffed feeling. Though it is clearly evident from gastroscopic studies that Simethicone aids in the elimination of gas from GL tract and reduces postoperative gas pains, the relationship of gas accumulation to what patients commonly refer to as symptoms of gas under ordinary condition is not clear.
Though Simethicone is an effective antiflatulent, there is no conclusive evidence that immediate postprandial upper abdominal distress to gas. In addition, current data are insufficient to establish the efficacy of Simethicone.
Simethicone is not recommended for the treatment of infant colic because of limited information on its safety in infants and children.