Activated Charcoal, Simethicone, and Intestinal Gas: A Double-Blind Study
Authors: NARESH K. JAIN
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Brief Reports1 July 1986Activated Charcoal, Simethicone, and Intestinal Gas: A Double-Blind StudyNARESH K. JAIN, M.D., VIJAY P. PATEL, M.D., C. S. PITCHUMONI, M.D.NARESH K. JAIN, M.D., VIJAY P. PATEL, M.D., C. S. PITCHUMONI, M.D.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-105-1-61 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptGas, although a normal constituent of the gastrointestinal tract, may result in symptoms often uncomfortable and socially embarrassing. The source and composition of gas in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts are different. Swallowed air (O2, N2, and CO2) is the principal source of gas in the stomach, whereas H2, CO2, and CH4 produced by bacterial degradation of undigested food constitute gas in the colon (1).Currently available treatments for gaseousness are empirical and far from satisfactory. Although simethicone has been used (2, 3), its efficacy has not been adequately proved. Activated charcoal has also been used as an antigas...References1. LEVITT M and BOND J. Intestinal gas. In: SLEISINGER MH, FORDTRAN JS, eds. Gastrointestinal Disease. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company; 1983; 222-7. Google Scholar2. BERNSTEIN J and KASICH A. A double-blind trial of simethicone in functional disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract. J Clin Pharmacol. 1974;14:617-23. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. BERNSTEIN J and SCHWARTZ S. An evaluation of the effectiveness of simethicone in acute upper gastrointestinal distress. Curr Ther Res. 1974;16:617-20. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. HALL R, THOMPSON H, and STROTHER A. Effects of orally administered activated charcoal on intestinal gas. Am J Gastroenterol. 1981;75:192-6. MedlineGoogle Scholar5. POTTER T, ELLIS C, and LEVITT M. Activated charcoal: in vivo and in vitro studies of effect on gas formation. Gastroenterology. 1985;88:620-4. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. LEVITT M. Production and excretion of hydrogen gas in man. N Engl J Med. 1969;281:122-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. SOLOMONS N, HAMILTON L, CHRISTMAN N, and ROTHMAN D. Evaluation of rapid breath hydrogen analysis for clinical studies of carbohydrate absorption. Dig Dis Sci. 1983;28:397-04. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. GILAT T, BENHUR H, GELMAN-MALACHI E, TERDIMAN R, and PELED Y. Alterations of the colonic flora and their effect on the hydrogen breath test. Gut. 1978;19:602-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. A Symposium on Activated Carbon. Wilmington, Delaware: Atlas Chemical Industries Inc.; 1960. (Revised 1970, Library of Congress no. 67-31379). Google Scholar10. LIFSCHITZ C, IRVING C, and SMITH E. Effect of a simethicone-containing tablet on colonic gas elimination in breath. Dig Dis Sci. 1985;30:426-30. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: NARESH K. JAIN, M.D.; VIJAY P. PATEL, M.D.; C. S. PITCHUMONI, M.D.Affiliations: Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center Bronx, New York PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPreparation of small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) with simethicone: A meta-analysisEffectiveness of Nutritional Ingredients on Upper Gastrointestinal Conditions and Symptoms: A Narrative ReviewAuthorised EU health claims for activated charcoal, lactulose and melatoninAlpha-galactosidase versus active charcoal for improving sonographic visualization of abdominal organs in patients with excessive intestinal gasScientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to activated charcoal and reduction of excessive intestinal gas accumulation (ID 1938) and reduction of bloating (ID 1938) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006Ballonnement abdominal : où en est-on ?Fructose-induced Breath Hydrogen in Patients With Fruit IntoleranceNutrition and Hollow Organs of Lower Gastrointestinal TractThe Effect of Oral α-Galactosidase on Intestinal Gas Production and Gas-Related SymptomsTowards a better understanding of abdominal bloating and distension in functional gastrointestinal disordersProbiotics and Functional Abdominal BloatingBloating in functional bowel disordersNutrition and Hollow Organs of the Lower Gastrointestinal TractAn understanding of excessive intestinal gasNon-absorbable antibiotics for managing intestinal gas production and gas-related symptomsBelching, bloating, and flatulenceOther Medicinal Uses of Charcoal in HumansMechanism of antifoaming action of simethiconeTreatment with Bacillus subtilis reduces intestinal hydrogen production in patients with gaseous symptomsTreatment of the Irritable Bowel SyndromeScreening for Diabetes MellitusNutritional Therapy of Irritable Bowel Syndrome 1 July 1986Volume 105, Issue 1Page: 61-62KeywordsColonFoodGastrointestinal tractStomach ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 July 1986 PDF downloadLoading ...