Monograph: |
Activated polymethyl siloxane
Activated Dimethicone ; Activated Dimethylpolysiloxane.
A mixture of liquid dimethicones containing finely divided silicon dioxide to enhance the defoaming properties of the silicone. It is a grey, translucent, viscous fluid. Silica in Dimethicone Suspension (BP Vet) 1998) contains 4.5 to 8.0% w/w of silicon dioxide. Simethicone (USP 23) contains 4 to 7% w/w of silicon dioxide.
Practically insoluble in, or immiscible with, water and alcohol ; the liquid phase is soluble 1 in 10 of chloroform and of ether leaving a residue of silicon dioxide. Store in airtight containers.
Activated Dimethylpolysiloxane lowers surface tension and when administered by mouth causes bubbles of gas in the gastro - intestinal tract to coalesce, thus aiding their dispersion.
Activated polymethyl siloxane
It is promoted for the relief of flatulence and abdominal discomfort due to excess gastro - intestinal gas ; doses of 125 or 250 mg three or four times daily have been given. Doses of 20 to 40 mg of simethicone have been given with feeds to relieve colic in infants.
For many gastro - intestinal disorders, it is given in conjunction with an antacid.
Activated Dimethylpolysiloxane is also used as a defoaming agent in radiography or endoscopy of the gastro - intestinal tract.
A brief review of the use of Activated Dimethylpolysiloxane for gastro - intestinal symptoms concluded that although it is commonly prescribed in combination with an antacid, there is no good evidence that it provides additional benefit. When used alone it probably helps to relieve minor postoperative and postprandial symptoms and it is a useful aid in upper gastro - intestinal endoscopy. Results in vitro suggest that simethicone may have inhibitory effects on Helicobacter pylori. However, there is no convincing evidence that it is effective for the treatment of eructation, flatulence, or other signs or symptoms of excess gastro - intestinal gas.
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