Symethicone (also known as Simethicone) is a silicone-based anti-foaming agent primarily used in medicine to relieve symptoms of excess gas in the gastrointestinal tract. It works by reducing the surface tension of gas bubbles, allowing them to coalesce and be more easily expelled, which helps alleviate bloating, flatulence, and associated discomfort. This makes it effective for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with gas-related symptoms, infant colic, postoperative gas pains, and functional dyspepsia. It is often included in antacid formulations and does not affect smooth muscle directly like traditional antispasmodics but provides mechanical relief from gas entrapment. Symethicone has minimal systemic absorption and is considered safe for use in various populations, including pregnant women and infants.