What is Simeticone?

Simeticone is an ingredient in IMODIUM^® Dual Action. Simeticone is a medication for bloating and ani-flatulence. It can be used to treat a variety of symptoms, such as:

• Bloating

• Trapped wind

• Cramps

In this guide, we’ll cover how simeticone works and how you can take it to help relieve your symptoms.

How does simeticone work?

Once ingested, simeticone usually starts to work within just 30 minutes for symptoms such as bloating and trapped wind.

Simeticone works by merging the small gas bubbles in your gut to form larger gas bubbles. This allows trapped wind to easily navigate through the body to bring you relief from trapped wind, bloating, and cramps.

Simeticone & Imodium^® Dual Action

Simeticone is one of the active ingredients in IMODIUM^® Dual Action, alongside loperamide. These ingredients offer a unique formulation and work together to provide effective relief from diarrhoea, cramps, bloating and trapped wind.

How and when to take Imodium^® Dual Action

Taking IMODIUM^® Dual Action is as easy as ingesting a tablet. For adults over 18, you can take two tablets initially and then one more after each diarrhoea episode. For adolescents between 12 and 18 years old, you can take one tablet initially and then one more after each diarrhoea episode. You should not take more than four tablets in 24-hours.

Please note, you should always read the information in the leaflet, on the box, or on the bottle when taking medication, especially for dosage instructions.

Since simeticone is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, no relevant interactions between simeticone and other drugs are expected. There are no known problems when taking simeticone with herbal medicines, but we still recommend you discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist before doing so.

Simeticone FAQs

Do I need to avoid alcohol when taking simeticone?

Simeticone is not affected by alcohol, but if you’re taking this medication combined with other ingredients, then you may need to check the leaflet first. The instructions should mention if there are known problems when taking simeticone with alcohol, but you can always ask a pharmacist or medical professional if you’re unsure.

Are there certain foods that I should avoid when taking simeticone?

While there are no specific foods you should avoid when taking simeticone, there are certain foods that you may wish to cut back on to help ease symptoms of bloating or trapped wind. These include

• Gassy foods, such as cabbage, sprouts, turnips, lentils, and beans.

• Spicy and fatty foods, as these can cause bloating.

• Carbonated (fizzy) drinks.

• Caffeine, including tea, coffee, energy drinks, and chocolate.

Are simeticone and dimeticone the same?

Simeticone is a mixture of silica gel and dimeticone, which can be taken orally to help alleviate symptoms of trapped wind. Simeticone contains dimethicone and is also known as ‘activated dimeticone’, but it is not the same as dimeticone.

Can lifestyle changes help with trapped wind?

Yes, lifestyle changes can help to prevent that bloated, gassy feeling. Some things you can try include:

• Stopping chewing gum.

• Cutting back on fizzy or caffeinated drinks and avoid using straws.

• Avoiding foods known for causing gas and eating slower.

• Consuming more fibre – if grains cause problems with bloating for you, then you can try fruits and vegetables instead.

• Quitting smoking.