Does Simethicone Work?

[yuzzamatuzz]

I am a new grad nurse and a few of my patients have gotten simethicone for gas pain, both in my 5 months as a nurse as well as when I was a student. The other day my patient had excruciating gas pain, and had just had a BM an hour before so he wasn't constipated. I asked the doctor what she thought about giving him simethicone. She told me no because research shows that simethicone does not work. I tried to find the research supporting this but couldn't find it. Has anyone else heard this recently? What else could be done to relieve his gas pain? This patient is a chronic care patient and immobile so ambulating is not an option and he eats solely via gtube feeds so I can't encourage a different diet.

[beckster_01, BSN, RN]

Dog likes it, too Chews up the Extra Strength Cherry Creme like candy- and makes sleeping with her butt near my face less than a cruel torture.

My vet recommended I keep it in my house in case I ever thought my dog was about to bloat :) See, multiple uses!

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

It really does seem to work on babies (in the NICU) and they are not susceptible to the placebo effect. Of course what the physician you are dealing with believes trumps all.

Most of the docs I deal with though believe it's a practically harmless medication and that's saying a lot for our population.

when my DD was a baby (actually up until she was nearly 2) if I didn't remember to give her Mylecon drops before bed she would wake up in the middle of the night SCREAMING from gas, fart and practically launch her diaper off and then settle and go back to sleep...I believe it works and her pedi said the same thing your docs did - its harmless and helps

[wooh, BSN, RN]

For babies, I'm more of a fan of aggressive burping.

If someone needs constant venting from their g-tube, can always hook it to a ferrell bag.