FDA Issues Warning About Rare but Serious Liver Injury With the Use of Fezolinetant (VEOZAH) for Hot Flashes Due to Menopause
View all alerts
Worst Pills, Best Pills

An expert, independent second opinion on more than 1,800 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements

Drug Profile

Do NOT stop taking this or any drug without the advice of your physician. Some drugs can cause severe adverse effects when they are stopped suddenly.

Do Not Use [what does this mean?]
Generic drug name: simethicone (si METH i kone)
Brand name(s): GENASYME, INFACOL, MYLICON, PHAZYME
GENERIC: not available FAMILY: Antiflatulents
Find the drug label by searching at DailyMed.

Alternative Treatment [top]

Reduce the causes of “excess gas” (see below). See Gas.

Facts About This Drug [top]

Simethicone is marketed as a drug to reduce the amount of “excess gas” and the discomfort that it causes. There is no convincing evidence that this drug, alone or combined with others, is effective for this purpose.[1] Do not waste your money on products containing simethicone that claim to relieve “excess gas.”

If you think that you suffer from “excess gas,” it may be that you actually have a bloated feeling from overeating or discomfort from eating the wrong food. In this case, no...

Simethicone is marketed as a drug to reduce the amount of “excess gas” and the discomfort that it causes. There is no convincing evidence that this drug, alone or combined with others, is effective for this purpose.[1] Do not waste your money on products containing simethicone that claim to relieve “excess gas.”

If you think that you suffer from “excess gas,” it may be that you actually have a bloated feeling from overeating or discomfort from eating the wrong food. In this case, no anti-gas drug will help you because the problem has nothing to do with gas. If you do have excess gas in your stomach, the best way to treat it is to reduce the amount of air that you swallow. You can do this by cutting down on smoking, carbonated drinks, and gum chewing, which make you swallow air. A dry mouth (which may be due to anxiety or a drug you are taking) and badly fitting dentures also make you swallow more air.

Most gas in the large intestine is created when bacteria there come into contact with carbohydrates, especially those found in cabbage, broccoli and beans.[1] This bacterial action is normal, as is the passing of gas (flatus). Different people pass different amounts of gas, and passing gas is no cause for medical concern. Simethicone is not recommended for the treatment of infant colic[2] because it is no more effective than a placebo.[3]

last reviewed March 31, 2024

Disclaimer

The information on this website is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your doctor before changing or discontinuing any medication.