A mother asks for advice about infantile colic and a licensed product. Which is the most likely active ingredient?

• A. Simeticone
• B. Lactase
• C. Dimethicone
• D. Probiotic strain

Answer: (A)

Infantile colic symptoms often come from gas buildup and abdominal discomfort, so products sold for relief usually include an anti-foaming agent that helps gas escape more easily. Simethicone lowers the surface tension of gas bubbles in the gut, causing them to coalesce and be expelled more readily. Since it isn’t absorbed into the bloodstream, it’s considered safe for babies and is a common active ingredient in licensed colic remedies.

Lactase targets lactose digestion, which helps only if a baby has lactose intolerance or malabsorption—not the typical cause of colic, so it isn’t the best fit for a standard colic product. Dimethicone also acts as an anti-foaming agent, but simethicone is the more typical, widely licensed ingredient for infant colic. Probiotic strains may help some infants by influencing gut flora, but they’re not the classic active ingredient for immediate relief in standard licensed colic preparations.