Does Gas-X Really Help With Bloating?

Do you ever feel uncomfortably full or like your stomach is full of trapped air? If so, you may be experiencing bloating — and you’re not alone. About 15% to 30% of U.S. adults experience bloating. And this number is even larger for people with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and heartburn. It’s estimated that 3 out of every 4 adults with these types of conditions experience bloating.

If you’ve ever experienced bloating or gas, you may turn to an over-the-counter (OTC) solution for relief. Gas-X (simethicone) is a popular choice, but does it really work? And what else should you know before taking it for bloating?

What is Gas-X?

Gas-X is an OTC medication used to help relieve gas buildup and bloating. Its main ingredient is simethicone. Simethicone is used in many OTC medications. For example, it’s combined with loperamide in some versions of Imodium, which treats diarrhea and bloating. And it’s also the active ingredient in Mylicon drops for infants with gas.

How does Gas-X work?

Gas-X reduces the surface tension of the gas bubbles in your gut. This helps them join together to form larger bubbles that are easier for your body to get rid of. So Gas-X basically makes it easier for your body to get rid of excess gas. For people who often experience bloating, that’s pretty appealing.

How effective is Gas-X for bloating?

It depends on what’s causing gas buildup in your body. Simethicone has been studied for decades, and it seems to work better for some conditions than others. 

One of the earliest studies on simethicone compared it to placebo (a pill with nothing in it) for indigestion-related symptoms. People taking simethicone experienced better relief of bloating. They also experienced less abdominal fullness and discomfort after eating.

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In another study, simethicone worked for people who experienced bloating due to diarrhea. When used together, simethicone and loperamide relieved stomach discomfort and gas more quickly than loperamide or simethicone alone.

In a review of over 5,000 people, researchers found that simethicone improved bloating in people during bowel preparation for a colonoscopy. This involves taking laxatives to clean out your bowel before the procedure. Simethicone added to polyethylene glycol (PEG) significantly improved abdominal bloating compared to PEG alone.

There’s less evidence that simethicone is helpful for gas related to irritable bowel disease, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), or colic in infants. And it’s not helpful for bloating due to constipation or small bowel obstruction.

Gas-X won’t prevent future gas buildup

Keep in mind that even though Gas-X helps relieve the symptoms of gassiness, it doesn’t prevent gas from forming in the first place. Bloating can be caused by a number of things, including:

• Changes to gut bacteria

• Eating certain foods, such as beans, brussels sprouts, and carbonated beverages

• Food intolerance, such as lactose, gluten, or sorbitol

• Eating too fast

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Constipation

• Celiac disease

• Blocked intestine (bowel obstruction)

• Slowed emptying of the stomach (gastroparesis)

Gas-X doesn’t treat these conditions. So if you find that you’re taking it often or you also have stomach pain or other symptoms along with bloating, it’s best to see a healthcare provider. They can help treat the underlying cause of your gas issues.

How do you take Gas-X?

Brand name Gas-X comes in softgel capsules and chewable tablets. The available doses and dosage forms are shown in the chart below.

If you take the chewable tablets, make sure you chew them completely before swallowing. This helps the medication work faster.

Simethicone is also available in several different doses and dosage forms as a generic or under other brand names. Be sure to read the package instructions to find the right dosage for you based on your age and symptoms. 

How long does it take for Gas-X to work?

Usually, Gas-X starts working within just a few minutes. It isn’t absorbed into your bloodstream, so it starts working as soon as it runs into gas in your stomach and intestines as it passes through your body.

If Gas-X isn’t working for you, don’t take more than the recommended amount in an effort to find relief. If Gas-X doesn’t relieve your symptoms, it’s best to talk to a healthcare provider to figure out the cause and treat it properly.

Does Gas-X have any side effects?

As mentioned, Gas-X isn’t absorbed into your bloodstream. So its side effects are limited to your stomach and intestines. It’s normally well tolerated, but can cause mild diarrhea and nausea for some people.

Sometimes bloating itself can cause more severe symptoms. Severe symptoms usually mean something else is going on. It’s best to seek emergency care if you experience bloating along with any of the following symptoms:

• Severe abdominal pain

• Trouble or pain when swallowing

• Severe diarrhea

• Blood in your stool

• Vomiting

• Fever

Does Gas-X make you fart?

Yes, Gas-X can make you fart. Once Gas-X helps the gas bubbles come together, the body must find a way to remove them. And there are two ways to do this: through the mouth (burping) or the rear-end (farting). So both of these are possible after taking Gas-X as your body removes excess gas from your digestive system.

Does Gas-X make you poop?

As mentioned, mild diarrhea is a possible Gas-X side effect. But it’s not a laxative and won’t help relieve constipation. If diarrhea is severe, there may be something more serious behind your bloating. So it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider if you’re having trouble pooping or severe diarrhea after taking Gas-X.

Can you take Gas-X while pregnant?

Yes, Gas-X is safe to take if you’re pregnant. Since it stays in your gut and isn’t absorbed into your bloodstream, it won’t affect a growing fetus. And it doesn't enter breast milk, so you can take it if you’re breastfeeding, too.

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Written by:

Sandy P. Bonfin, PharmD, BCPS

Sandy Bonfin has 9 years of experience as a pharmacist and has been working as a clinical pharmacist in a hospital in Florida for the past 7 years after a short stint as a mail-order retail pharmacist. Sandy has worked in pediatric medicine, emergency medicine, internal medicine, and intensive care.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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