Sab Simplex for newborns is a medicine that effectively destroys gas bubbles in the intestinal lumen. It also contributes to a decrease in their level of education. Gases released from their membrane are either successfully and painlessly absorbed by the intestinal walls, or are eliminated from the body through the process of peristalsis. Thus, after taking Sub Simplex, it is possible to significantly reduce the degree of stretching of the intestinal wall, which succumbed to the pressure of gas bubbles.
Release form and composition
Dosage form of release - suspension for oral administration: from gray-white to white, somewhat viscous, has a characteristic fruity (vanilla-raspberry) odor (in glass dark dropper bottles of 30 ml (1 ml = 25 drops), 1 bottle each - dropper in a cardboard box).
Composition of 100 ml suspension:
- active ingredient: simethicone – 6.919 g (silicon dioxide: dimethicone 350, in a ratio of 7.5%: 92.5%);
- additional components: raspberry flavor - 0.108 g, hypromellose - 1.5 g, carbomer - 0.6 g, sodium citrate dihydrate - 1 g, citric acid monohydrate - 0.5468 g, vanilla flavor - 0.315 g, sodium cyclamate - 0, 2 g, sodium saccharinate – 0.02 g, sodium benzoate – 0.1 g, polyglycostearyl acid esters – 1.0378 g, sorbic acid – 0.0347 g, water – 89.6189 g.
Composition of the drug
The main active substance of Sab Simplex is simethicone. Simethicone is a carminative with antifoam properties. There are also auxiliary components, such as flavorings.
The suspension has a slightly viscous consistency, a white or grayish tint, a pleasant taste and a characteristic vanilla-raspberry aroma. During long-term storage, the drug may change color to amber-yellow.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
By reducing the surface tension at the interface, simethicone, the active component of Sub Simplex, inhibits the formation and ensures the destruction of gas bubbles in the intestinal contents. The gases that are released during this process can be absorbed by the intestinal walls or excreted due to peristaltic activity.
In X-ray and sonography, simethicone prevents overlap and interference in images and provides better irrigation of the colon mucosa with contrast agent, preventing damage to the contrast film.
The active component of Sab Simplex changes the surface tension of gas bubbles formed in the contents of the stomach and intestinal mucus, which leads to their destruction. The released gases are absorbed into the intestinal walls or expelled during intestinal peristalsis. Simethicone removes foam physically and does not take part in chemical reactions.
Pharmacokinetics
Since simethicone is physically and chemically inert, it is not absorbed into the body and, after passing through the gastrointestinal tract, is excreted unchanged.
special instructions
The drug can be used during pregnancy and lactation.
The drug is approved for use in pediatric practice.
The medicine can be used by patients with diabetes.
Sub Simplex does not in any way affect a person’s ability to drive a vehicle/machinery.
According to research results, Sub Simplex has no therapeutic effect when it comes to relieving colic in infants or older children.
Do not use the drug after the expiration date.
Instructions for use of Sab Simplex: method and dosage
Sub Simplex suspension is taken orally, preferably at the same time or after meals and, if necessary, before bedtime.
Recommended regimen for using the drug in the treatment of increased gas formation (0.2 ml = 5 drops):
- newborns and children under 1 year of age on artificial feeding: single dose - 15 drops (added to baby food (in each bottle) or given undiluted from a spoon before feeding). The suspension mixes well with liquids, including milk;
- children 1-6 years old: single dose – 15 drops, simultaneously or after meals, it is possible to take an additional single dose at night;
- children 6-15 years old: single dose – 20-30 drops, frequency of administration – 4-6 times a day (preferably at equal intervals);
- adults: single dose – 30-45 drops, frequency of administration – 4-6 times a day (preferably at equal intervals).
The duration of the course is determined by the indications (complaints). Long-term therapy is possible.
Before taking, the bottle with Sub Simplex should be shaken vigorously. To get the suspension from the pipette, you need to turn the bottle upside down and tap on its bottom.
Recommended regimen for using the drug in preparation for diagnostic studies of the gastrointestinal tract (5 ml = 1 teaspoon):
- radiography: 3-6 teaspoons in the evening before the day of the study;
- Ultrasound: 3 teaspoons in the evening before the day of the examination and 3 hours before it;
- endoscopy: 0.5-1 teaspoon before the examination; additionally, during endoscopy, several milliliters of suspension are injected through the endoscope.
When taking the drug during preparation for research, it is recommended to remove the pipette.
Doses of Sub Simplex for poisoning with detergents are determined by the severity of the condition. The minimum recommended dose is 1 teaspoon.
Side effects
In the vast majority of cases, taking the drug does not cause any side effects.
In rare cases of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, symptoms of an allergic reaction may appear. Hives, redness, and itching may appear on the skin throughout the body. Swelling may occur, especially in the face and neck.
If after taking the drug the patient begins to show allergy symptoms, treatment should be stopped immediately and the doctor should be informed.
Indications for use
This drug is quite often used in modern pediatrics. A doctor may prescribe Sab Simplex from the first weeks of a baby’s life if he needs support to stimulate the digestive system. Indications for use may be as follows:
- bloating of physiological origin;
- upcoming abdominal examinations;
- detergent poisoning.
In the first months, the newborn’s body lacks digestive enzymes. Due to such a deficiency, food entering the stomach does not have time to be completely digested. After it passes into the intestines, stagnant fermentation processes begin. This leads to the formation of gases and their accumulation in the intestines. As a result, the baby experiences discomfort and even pain.
The fact is that accumulated gases put excessive pressure on the abdominal cavity. The child experiences flatulence and accompanying intestinal colic. Sub simplex helps eliminate this problem and naturally remove gases.
The drug also allows you to increase the accuracy of examinations of the abdominal organs. The point is all in the same ability to eliminate gas accumulations. When performing an ultrasound or x-ray, the examination picture may be distorted due to excess air in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, the medicine envelops the intestinal mucosa with a film, which creates contrast and allows you to examine the condition of the internal organs.
As for cases of poisoning with detergents, Sab Simplex partially eliminates the effect of surfactants, namely, it reduces the formation of foam. Of course, he is not able to completely eliminate all negative consequences, but further treatment is greatly facilitated.
Contraindications
Infants begin to use the drug with caution, initially limiting it to one dose. This is how the baby is diagnosed with an allergy to the active substance or auxiliary components. Allergic reactions can be caused by simethicone, citric and sorbic acids, or the flavorings used. If there is an allergy to the components, the drug is contraindicated in children on breastfeeding and in infants.
Other contraindications to taking the medication are:
- intestinal obstruction;
- obstructive lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
Sub Simplex is sold without a prescription, but before use it is better to get a pediatrician's recommendation.
Reviews of the drug and its analogues
Reviews about the drug Sab Simplex are mostly positive, since this medicine is designed directly for use to eliminate flatulence in children. In some cases, it becomes the only possible way out.
Anna, 27 years old (mother of 3-month-old baby Nikita): “We have been taking the drug Sab Simplex relatively recently (2 weeks). The doctor prescribed it for flatulence and bloating, because my baby has been suffering from colic for more than a month. I liked the medicine - my son became calmer, his tummy is no longer so swollen, he no longer has such bouts of crying as he had before. I recommend that mothers try with similar problems in their children.”
Lena, 34 years old (mother of a baby 5 months and 6 days old): “We have been taking Sab Simplex for more than a month for gas in the tummy. My friend recommended it. I liked the drug: it’s convenient to give, it smells nice. But the most important thing is that my daughter’s tummy doesn’t hurt so much, otherwise we didn’t know what to do: she was twisting, blushing, crying. I had to carry him in my arms for hours, warm the diapers and put him on his tummy, and give him a massage. When they started giving the medicine, the attacks of pain became less frequent, but now they are practically non-existent. When she is not sleeping, she plays, walks, and smiles. My husband and I are happy!”
Since the medicine is based on the active ingredient Semiticone, if Sub Simplex is not available in the pharmacy or for some other reason, you can use analogues of the drug with the same effect and similar composition. One of the most similar options is Espumisan. It also contains semiticone and is actively used to treat bloating and colic in newborns. Also similar drugs are:
- Bobotik;
- Simikol;
- Metospasmil;
- Disflatil;
- Antiflat Lannacher;
- Colikid;
- Metsil;
- Kuplaton.
Our specialist comments
Sab Simplex is recognized as one of the best drugs for the treatment of colic and flatulence in babies. It is absolutely safe and only some gastrointestinal pathologies and individual sensitivity to the components may limit its use. This is why you should consult your pediatrician before using this medicine.
Sab Simplex is also ideal for preparing a child for examination. The composition of the medicine allows it to be used in significant doses to create a favorable environment for viewing the internal organs of the child’s digestive system. To minimize risks, strict medical supervision is necessary in any case!
Drug Sab simplex
Analogs
Instead of the drug Sab Simplex, the following medications can be used:
- Bobotik is a complete analogue of the drug Sab Simplex. The medicine is available in drops that can be used to eliminate flatulence in children over 28 days old, pregnant and lactating patients.
- Dinolak contains simethicone and lactulose as active ingredients. The medicine is produced in syrup, which can be used to eliminate bloating, constipation, and restore intestinal microflora.
- Simalgel-VM is a combination drug that, in addition to simethicone, contains algeldrate and magnesium hydroxide. The drug has an antacid effect and eliminates bloating. It is available in a suspension, suitable for children over 10 years of age. It can be drunk by pregnant and lactating women.
- Meteospasmil is a combination drug containing simethicone and alverine citrate as therapeutic components. It eliminates muscle spasms of the digestive tract and bloating. The drug is produced in capsules, which are contraindicated for patients under 14 years of age, pregnant and lactating women.
Pharmacodynamics pharmacokinetics
The main substance of the drug simethicone is a polyglycostearyl silicon gel, an antifoam, which helps to destroy gas bubbles in the lower parts of the digestive tract. The carminative effect of the drug enhances intestinal motility and helps to evacuate accumulated gases from the body naturally. The drug does not penetrate into the blood, does not provoke chemical reactions, and is completely eliminated by the intestines.
Dosage
According to, the method of taking the anti-bloating drug depends on the degree of flatulence and the age of the child. For babies under 6 months, the optimal dose is 15 drops. It is recommended to dilute the droplets in a small amount of liquid: milk (for breastfeeding), formula (for artificial feeding) or boiled water.
The baby should be given the suspension to drink during feeding or no later than 10 minutes after eating. Take once every 4–6 hours.
For infants after 6 months and up to a year, we leave the same 15 drops, but you can increase the number of doses up to 5 times a day. Children from six months old can drop Sub Simplex directly into their mouths without diluting it with liquid. Before using the active liquid, shake the bottle well.
Drink the remedy until the symptoms of gas formation disappear. On average, the course of treatment ranges from 3 to 10 days. To avoid allergic reactions and other negative reactions, let your pediatrician decide how many drops to use and how long the treatment will last. The doctor will also tell you whether other anti-colic drugs can be used together with the drug.
Storage rules
In order for Sab Simplex to have an effective effect on the baby’s body, it is important not only to follow the rules for taking the medicine, but also to adhere to the recommendations regarding its storage. The instructions for the drug state that the shelf life of Sub Simplex is 3 years when unopened.
After opening the bottle, the medicine should be placed in a dark, cool place and used within 1 month. The ambient temperature should not exceed 25 degrees. The formation of a cloudy sediment is not a sign of deterioration of the drug, since solid particles of the suspension can settle at the bottom of the bottle. Before use, the medicine simply needs to be shaken.
