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However, doctors may also recommend over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medication to relieve symptoms. Share on PinterestDesign by Medical News Today; Photography by MirageC/Getty Images & LaylaBird/Getty ImagesA person may experience bloating due to various causes. These include:constipationinfectionirritable bowel syndrome inflammatory bowel diseasefluid retention Read on for information on OTC and prescription medication for bloating, alternative treatments, prevention, and when to contact a doctor. Simethicone Simethicone, a silicone compound, is an OTC medication with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. This drug helps relieve bloating, which results from excess gas in the gastrointestinal tract. Some examples of Simethicone brand names include: Alka-seltzer anti-gasGas-XMyliconMaalox anti-gas Dosage The recommended dosage is:Adults: 40–125 milligrams (mg) 4 times daily and a maximum daily dose of 500 mg.Children 2–12 years: 40 mg 4 times daily and a maximum daily dose of 480 mg.Children under 2 years: 20 mg 4 times daily and a maximum daily dose of 240 mg. This medication contains a mixture of dimethicone — a type of silicone — and silica gel. Side effects This medication does not tend to cause serious side effects, although some people may experience mild nausea or diarrhea. Lactase Lactase is available OTC and is a natural enzyme that helps break down lactose into simple sugars, which the body can easily digest. This enzyme can relieve symptoms of lactose intolerance, such as bloating. Dosage Lactaid is one brand that contains lactase. A person can take this supplement every time they consume a dairy product. Side effects People do not usually experience any serious side effects, although some may report vomiting. Antacids Antacids, another type of OTC medication, neutralize the acid in the stomach. This can alleviate heartburn symptoms, diarrhea caused by bile acid, and constipation. Ingredients Depending on the brand, these medications may contain one or more ingredients such as:aluminum hydroxidemagnesium hydroxidecalcium saltssimethicone Brand names include:Mylanta TumsMaalox Dosing may vary depending upon the product and the combination of ingredients. People should check the instructions to determine this. People should use this medication when they have symptoms or feel they will start to get them. This is usually with or after meals or before going to bed. Side effects Potential side effects may include:diarrheaconstipationflatulencestomach crampsnausea or vomiting Laxatives OTC laxatives can relieve constipation, which can alleviate bloating. There are four types of laxatives:Bulk-forming: This type increases the bulk or weight of stool.Osmotic: This draws water from the body into the bowel to soften stool.Stimulants: These stimulate the muscles in the gut lining to help them to move stool along the tract.Stool softener: This laxative allows water into the stool to soften it and make it easier to pass. Dosage Laxative medications contain different ingredients, such as:sennasodium picosylfatebisacodylarachis oildocusatemacrogolpolyethyleneglycol lactulose The dosage varies between products and types. However, a person should not take laxatives daily or for longer than 1 week. Side effects Potential effects include: bloatingpassing windabdominal crampsnauseadehydration causing:lightheadednessheadachesurine a darker color than usual Bismuth salicylate Bismuth subsalicylate is an OTC medication that doctors use to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms due to overindulgence in drinks or food. These drugs are antidiarrheal agents that:decrease the flow of fluids and electrolytes to the bowelreduce intestinal inflammationkill the organisms that can cause diarrhea One of the most common brand names is Pepto-Bismol. Dosage The recommended dosage is 30 milliliters (ml) every 30–60 minutes and no more than 240 ml in 24 hours. Inactive ingredients include benzoic acid and magnesium aluminum silicate. A person should not use this medication if they: are recovering from flu or chickenpoxare allergic to, or taking other salicylates, including aspirinhave black or bloody stoolhave an ulcerhave a bleeding issue Side effects Side effects may include ringing or buzzing in the ears. Prokinetics Prokinetics are prescription medications that aim to improve gastric emptying and relieve symptoms of gastroparesis. Gastroparesis causes:nausea and vomitingearly satiety, feeling full too quicklybloatingupper abdominal painslow emptying of solids Two prokinetic drug examples include Propulsid — the brand name for cisapride — and metoclopramide, marketed as Reglan. Black box warnings for cisapride The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a series of black box warnings in the 1990s for prokinetics due to cardiovascular safety concerns. Cisapride has a specific black box warning, which may cause serious irregular heartbeats, also known as arrhythmia. People should inform their doctor if they have:a family history of heart problemsheart conditions such as irregular heartbeats or heart diseasesevere dehydrationvomitingeating disorderskidney or lung failure People should also inform their doctor if they are taking protease inhibitors or medications for depression or an irregular heartbeat. A person must also consult a medical professional regarding the risks and warnings associated with this drug. Black box warnings for metoclopramide Reglan has a black box warning of using for no longer than 12 weeks. This drug can cause complications such as:tardive dyskinesia — a serious movement disorder that is often irreversibleother extrapyramidal symptoms neuroleptic malignant syndrome This medication can also interact with certain medications:antipsychoticsCNS depressantsCYP2D6 inhibitorsMAO inhibitors People must speak with a doctor regarding the warnings and risks associated with this type of medication. Side effects Prokinetics may have serious side effects. These may include: headachesweaknessnausea and vomitingfrequent urinationmissed menstruationdiarrheafatiguedizzinessfeversuicidal thoughtsdepressionspeech issuesrashchest painvision changesrestlessness Antispasmodics Antispasmodic prescription drugs stop painful muscle contractions that may cause bloating and pain. Examples of these drugs include dicyclomine (Bentyl) and hyoscine (Buscopan). Dosage People should take these drugs as instructed by a doctor. The dosages and ingredients vary between types. For example, Buscopan tablets contain 10 mg of hyoscine butylbromide. The usual dose of Buscopan in adults and children over 12 years is 2 tablets, four times a day. The dose for children between 6–11 years is 1 tablet three times per day. Side effects Buscopan may cause side effects in some people, but most people have no side effects or only mild effects. Some of the effects include:dry mouthconstipationblurred visionfast heart rate Read more about treatments for gas in the stomach. Alternative treatments Natural home remedies that may alleviate bloating include:Activated charcoal: A 2017 study found that people who took a mixture of activated charcoal and simethicone daily reported a significant improvement in abdominal pain and did not experience side effects. However, more research is necessary to determine the efficacy of activated charcoal as a bloating treatment.Peppermint: Peppermint oil is an antispasmodic that relaxes bowel walls and can relieve:bloatingstomach crampsgasDietary changes: Eating more fiber and removing foods that cause bloating from a person’s diet can alleviate bloating.Increasing water intake: Drinking more water may help reduce or avoid constipation. Learn more about how much water a person should drink each day.Applying a heated pad to the stomach: A heated pad can help reduce pain associated with bloating. Learn about other remedies for bloating. Preventions The following actions may help a person prevent bloating from occurring:Completing a food diary: A food diary can help a person learn which foods are likely to cause symptoms and therefore avoid them. It could help identify specific intolerances that may be contributing to bloating or pain.Taking exercise: Physical activity can relieve bloating symptoms.Chewing slowly: Chewing food more slowly can help prevent gas buildup and aid digestion.Reducing sodium: Following a lower sodium diet could help prevent bloating. When to consult a doctor A person should consult a doctor if they experience bloating alongside:blood in the stoolfeversevere painvomitingsevere or rapid abdominal swellingkidney or liver failuresurgerytraumatic injury to the abdomen Summary Doctors will prescribe OTC or prescription medication to relieve bloating and other gastrointestinal symptoms. People should discuss the recommended dosage and potential side effects with a healthcare professional. A person can also try natural alternatives, such as peppermint, activated charcoal, dietary changes, and a heated pad on the stomach. Last medically reviewed on August 16, 2022GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology 27 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Antacids. (2019).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antacids/Bismuth subsalicylate. (2016).https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607040.htmlBuscopan (hyoscine butylbromide). (2021).https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/buscopan-hyoscine-butylbromide/CAERS from January 2004 to December 2021. (2022).https://www.fda.gov/media/158851/downloadCamilleri, M., et al. (2021). New developments in prokinetic therapy for gastric motility disorders.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.711500/fullCisapride. (2017).https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a694006.htmlDicyclomine. (2017).https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684007.htmlForsgård, R. A. (2019). Lactose digestion in humans: Intestinal lactase appears to be constitutive whereas the colonic microbiome is adaptable.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6669050/Frequently asked questions. (n.d.).https://www.lactaid.com/frequently-asked-questionsGiudicessi, J. R., et al. (2018). Cardiovascular safety of prokinetic agents: A focus on drug-induced arrhythmias.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6364982/Hennessy, N. (2021). Feel unwell after eating? Try our food and symptom diary.https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/monitor-symptoms-food-diaryHighlights of prescribing information. (2017).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/017854s062lbl.pdfHosseini-Asl, M. K., et al. (2021). The effect of a short-term physical activity after meals on gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with functional abdominal bloating: A randomized clinical trial.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8035544/Ingold, C. J., et al. (2022). Simethicone. .https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555997/Lactase. (2022).https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/lactaseLactose intolerance. (2016).https://medlineplus.gov/lactoseintolerance.htmlMelchior, C., et al. (2017). Efficacy of antibiotherapy for treating flatus incontinence associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: A pilot randomized trial.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0180835Metoclopramide. (2018).https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684035.htmlOverview - laxatives. (2019).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/laxatives/#TypesPeng, A. W., et al. (2019). Effects of the DASH diet and sodium intake on bloating: results from the DASH–sodium trial.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7122060/Peppermint oil. (2021).https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/peppermint-oilPepto-Bismol- bismuth subsalicylate liquid. (2018).https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2d89b3f5-7be3-4a57-9ee2-71b3b26ef1b5Salisbury, B. H., et al. (2022).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526049/Simethicone. (2018).https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682683.htmlSimeticone. (2019).https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/simeticone/Stewart, M. (2020). Hyoscine butylbromide tablets - Buscopan.https://patient.info/medicine/hyoscine-butylbromide-tablets-buscopanWhy is it so important to chew your food? (n.d.).https://www.intestinal.com.au/chewing-foodFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm.D. — By Caitlin Geng on August 16, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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