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]

Works for most of my patients. We had someone who had un-diagnosed abdominal pain. They admitted her to my floor because they were afraid her AAA was dissecting. Turned out that simethicone helped relieve the pain, and they eventually diagnosed her with celiac disease. I'm not sure why your provider wouldn't just write the order. Even if it has "placebo" effect, how will it hurt the patient?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

some say it works some say it doesn't......the MD's personal opinion is what this is about........ask again and ask her what will it hurt??

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Vent the g-tube. Works way better than mylicon.

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

It definitely works for me ... the docs opinion is just that; an opinion. Ask the patient if it helps and you'll have your answer. To the docs credit there are studies that have been done that show the placebo was just as effective as the simethicone...it still works for me though and I know it's not in my head.

[systoly]

Just like any other RX, different patients respond differently.

[Trekfan]

I do know that beano works and it comes in drops .

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

I buy the stuff in pallets.

Works very well.... maybe there are some impervious types of gas that it doesn't work on....but for pre-syncopal intensity gas, I won't let my supply run out.

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.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Vent the g-tube. Works way better than mylicon.

Exactly! To vent the G-tube, get a 60 cc syringe and pull the plunger out entirely. Then attach the syringe to the g-tube, open the clamp and raise the syringe and tube straight in the air. This allows the air to rise up and bubble out of the stomach. You can also gently decompress the stomach while doing this.

Another way to do it is simply empty the stomach using a syringe. Pull out whatever contents are in the stomach and keep pulling until you get resistance. Then put the stomach contents back in.

You can also help with the gas by making sure that as a little air as possible enters the tube during feedings and med administration.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Exactly! To vent the G-tube, get a 60 cc syringe and pull the plunger out entirely. Then attach the syringe to the g-tube, open the clamp and raise the syringe and tube straight in the air. This allows the air to rise up and bubble out of the stomach. You can also gently decompress the stomach while doing this.

Another way to do it is simply empty the stomach using a syringe. Pull out whatever contents are in the stomach and keep pulling until you get resistance. Then put the stomach contents back in.

You can also help with the gas by making sure that as a little air as possible enters the tube during feedings and med administration.

To "rack" an adult, would an IV pole be enough to suspend the syringe from?

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

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.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

From my last reading up on it, there are virtually NO interactions or side effects... unless going for a GI test where they give ya the Alka Seltzer on steroids junk to NOT burp, and roll around under flouro... that would be a bad combo.