Simeticone works by bringing together the small gas bubbles in your gut to form bigger bubbles. The wind can then leave your body more easily (by burping or farting).

Simeticone does not pass into your blood. It stays in the gut until it leaves your body in poo.

Simeticone usually starts to work within about 30 minutes. Liquids or chewable tablets may work slightly more quickly than non-chewable tablets or capsules.

For colic, you may need to give it to your baby for a few days to see the full benefits.

The same applies if you're taking it for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other long-term medical conditions that cause bloating.

Speak to a doctor or your health visitor if the symptoms get worse or do not improve within a few days.

Simeticone is generally a safe medicine, so there's no strict limit on how long you or your baby can take it for. However, most people will only need to take it occasionally, or over a short period of time.

Talk to a doctor if you've been taking simeticone regularly for more than 14 days.

It's safe to continue giving simeticone to your baby for colic for several weeks, but talk to a doctor or health visitor if your baby's symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

If you are taking simeticone to treat bloating caused by an ongoing condition such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), there's no harm in taking it long term. Just make sure you tell a doctor if you are taking it.

For colic, there's not much scientific evidence that simeticone really works.

In studies where simeticone was used alongside a dummy treatment (placebo), there was not much difference between them.

We cannot be certain that it really works for bloating, trapped wind or indigestion either.

In studies, there was not much difference between taking simeticone and antacids together compared to taking antacids on their own.

One theory is that your symptoms (or your baby's) are not actually due to trapped wind. They may be caused by something else.

Simeticone is not the same as dimeticone.

Dimeticone is a substance found in many cosmetics and medicines, including nappy rash creams and treatments for headlice.

Simeticone is "activated dimeticone". It contains dimeticone, mixed with silicon dioxide or silica gel. This makes the medicine work better to get rid of the wind in your gut.

There are several other medicines that you can try for trapped wind. Ask a pharmacist for advice, particularly if it's for a baby.

Gripe water (which contains dill seed oil) works by breaking down trapped gas bubbles. It can be used to treat colic in babies aged 1 month and above.

However, like simeticone, there's not much evidence that it works for colic.

There are other medicines for treating colic, bloating or trapped wind that work differently to simeticone and gripe water.

These include:

• dicycloverine and peppermint oil to reduce spasms in the stomach
• Colief to help break down the natural sugars in milk (lactose)
• activated charcoal to trap gas bubbles
• sodium bicarbonate and antacids to neutralise stomach acid

Simeticone is not affected by alcohol.

However, if you're taking a medicine that contains simeticone combined with other ingredients, read the leaflet to check it is safe to drink alcohol.

Ask a pharmacist if you're not sure.

There are no foods or drinks that you need to avoid when taking simeticone.

However, if you're bothered by bloating or trapped wind, it may help to:

• avoid or cut down on foods that may cause bloating such as onions, cabbage, sprouts, turnips, beans and lentils
• avoid or cut down on fatty and spicy foods
• have fewer fizzy drinks
• reduce caffeine (found in coffee, tea, energy drinks and chocolate)

Find out more about things you can do to help bloating and foods to help your digestion.

There are several things you can do to help prevent bloating and trapped wind.

It's a good idea to:

• avoid foods that are known to cause gas, including onions, cabbage, turnips, beans and lentils
• avoid or cut down on fatty and spicy foods
• avoid chewing gum
• avoid using straws for drinking
• reduce or avoid drinking fizzy drinks and drinks containing caffeine
• eat slowly
• eat more fibre to prevent constipation. If you find high-fibre foods such as cereal or grains cause bloating, eat more fruits and vegetables instead to ensure you get enough fibre.
• quit smoking (if you smoke)

Talk to your health visitor for advice on soothing a baby with colic.

They may suggest trying things such as:

• sitting or holding your baby upright when feeding them, to stop them from swallowing air
• massaging your baby's tummy in a clockwise direction
• winding your baby during and after feeds, if needed
• changing the brand of formula or using slow-flow or anti-colic teats if you give your baby a bottle
• gently rocking your baby over your shoulder, or in their basket or crib, or pushing them in their pram
• giving your baby a warm bath

You may have heard about trying:

• herbal and probiotic supplements
• changing your diet if you're breastfeeding
• using gentle pressure on your baby's spine (spinal manipulation) or skull (cranial osteopathy)

However, there's very little evidence these things work. Speak to your health visitor for advice and support.