Simethicone is part of the composition of numerous medicines and medical devices, both alone and in combination with other active ingredients useful for the treatment of other gastrointestinal disorders, such as, for example, acidity and heartburn, constipation or constipation, digestive difficulties and / or nausea.
Some simethicone-based medicines are SOP (non-prescription) drugs, others are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that are over-the-counter, while still others require the presentation of a repeatable prescription (RR) in order to be dispensed.
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Dimethicone is also used in cosmetic products as it has emollient and texturizing properties, but not only. Depending on the concentration of active ingredient in the cosmetic formulation, in fact, dimethicone can also be used as an anti-foaming agent, to induce a barrier effect on the skin (filming action) and to make sun products resistant to water.
Examples of Medicines containing Simethicone - Dimethicone
Below is a short list of some of the many medicines that contain the active ingredient that is the subject of this article:
- Clensia® (in combination with macrogol 4000, anhydrous sodium sulphate, sodium citrate, anhydrous citric acid, sodium chloride, potassium chloride)
- Dulcogas®
- Geffer® (in combination with metoclopramide, potassium citrate, tartaric acid, anhydrous citric acid, sodium bicarbonate)
- Meteosim®
- Mylicon®
- Mylicongas®
- Selg Esse® (in association with macrogol 4000, anhydrous sodium sulphate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride)
- Simecrin®
- Simethicone Angelini®
At the same time, simethicone can be used to eliminate air and gas from the intestine in view of medical procedures or examinations that require a clean intestine, such as radiographic examinations, ultrasound examinations, gastroscopies, etc.
orally, such as chewable tablets, powder and granules for oral solution, oral suspension, oral drops, hard capsules and tablets. Dose, method and time of administration may vary according to the type of medicine taken into consideration, depending on the reason for which simethicone is needed and according to the age of the patient. For this reason, it is advisable to refer to the information on the package leaflet of the drug to be taken and the instructions provided by the doctor.(activated dimethicone).
More precisely, from the chemical point of view, it is an activated polydimethylsiloxane better known as simethicone. The addition of silica oxide, in fact, increases the antifoam power of the compound, making it more effective in eliminating gas and air.
The mechanism of action by which the simethicone exerts its action is exclusively of a physical type as it is able to lower the surface tension; this property causes the gas and air bubbles present in the intestinal tract to flow together, forming gas free which is then easily eliminated.
based on mineral oils (paraffin) must not be carried out as the combination of these drugs reduces their effectiveness.- even if not expressly contraindicated - it is usually not recommended. In any case, pregnant women and mothers who are breastfeeding must always seek the advice of their doctor and / or gynecologist before taking any type of medicine (whether based on simethicone or based on any other active ingredient), even if they are over-the-counter drugs or in any case that can be purchased without the obligation to present a medical prescription.
;More rarely, simethicone can also give rise to allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
