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Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

Colic improves on its own, often by age 3 months. In the meantime, there are few treatment options. Gas-relief medications, such as simethicone (Gas-X Infant Drops, Infants' Mylicon Gas Relief, others), haven't proved very helpful.

Some research suggests that treatment with probiotics — substances that help maintain the natural balance of "good" bacteria in the digestive tract — can soothe colic. More research is needed, however, to determine the effects of probiotics on colic.

Talk to your baby's doctor before giving your baby any medication to treat colic.

Lifestyle and home remedies Tests and diagnosis
References
  1. Colic. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec19/ch266/ch266f.html. Accessed Feb. 28, 2011.
  2. Roberts DM, et al. Infantile colic. American Family Physician. 2004;70:735.
  3. Cohen-Silver J, et al. Management of infantile colic: A review. Clinical Pediatrics. 2009;48:14.
  4. Savino F, et al. Lactobacillus reuteri (American type culture collection strain 55730) versus simethicone in the treatment of infantile colic: A prospective randomized study. Pediatrics. 2007;119:e124.
  5. Canivet CA, et al. Infantile colic, maternal smoking and infant feeding at 5 weeks of age. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. 2008;36:284.
  6. Savino F. Focus on infantile colic. Acta Paediatrica. 2007;96:1259.
  7. Turner TL, et al. Clinical features and etiology of colic. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 1, 2011.
  8. Turner TL, et al. Evaluation and management of colic. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 1, 2011.
  9. Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 2, 2011.
DS00058 July 6, 2011

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