Dose:   20 mg/dose PO (maximum  240 mg/day)    

Frequency:     QID   

Comments:  Simethicone is used for relief of symptoms associated with excessive gas. Simethicone acts in the stomach and intestine to change the surface tension of gas bubbles enabling them to coalesce allowing for easier elimination (Olin, ed. Drug Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Inc; 1996:306). The drug is administered with meals. For infants less than 2 years, the maximum dose is 240 mg/day. Currently it is used to relieve symptoms of excessive gas postoperatively, particularly following a fundoplication. It has also been used for treating symptoms of colic, though a double-blind crossover study was not able to show a difference between the use of simethicone or a placebo in the treatment of colic (Metcalf. Pediatr 1994; 94:29). The study suggests that the gassiness seen with colic is not the cause of the colic but results from swallowed air during excessive crying, though this may not be true in all cases.

Toxicity:  None noted

Preparation: Simethicone (Mylicon) is available as a 40 mg/0.6 ml preparation.  May be mixed with cool water, infant formula, or other suitable liquid.  Shake well before using.