Home Symptoms Colic in babies

Colic in babies — what to take?

Colic = intense, inconsolable crying, more than 3h/day, 3 days/week, for more than 3 weeks, in a healthy infant under 3 months. Cause not fully elucidated (GI immaturity, dysbiosis, over-stimulation).

Also known as: infant colic crying baby restless baby
3 recommended OTC drugs
8,327 pharmacies available

In short: Infant colic means episodes of intense, inconsolable crying lasting more than three hours a day in an otherwise healthy baby under 3 months, with a cause that is still not fully understood (digestive immaturity, gut flora imbalance, overstimulation). Common over-the-counter options include simethicone for trapped gas, the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri, and fennel or dill teas for infants. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the price of these OTC options across the major pharmacies (Dr. Max, Tei, Catena, HelpNet), with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace medical advice; see a doctor if the crying is accompanied by fever.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for colic in babies

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Crying associated with fever
  • Repeated projectile vomiting
  • Blood in the stool
  • Lethargy, apathetic infant
  • Feeding refusal, weight loss
  • Marked abdominal distension
  • Sudden, intense crying associated with pallor

Recognition

Paroxysmal crying, in the evening, baby with a red face, legs flexed onto the abdomen, passing of gas. Onset at 2-3 weeks, peak at 6 weeks, resolves spontaneously at 3-4 months.

Non-pharmacological measures (first line)

  • Positioning the baby tummy-down on the mother's arm (or on the father's forearm).
  • Rhythmic movement (rocking, walking).
  • White noise (vacuum cleaner, hair dryer).
  • Swaddling for the little ones.
  • Gentle abdominal massage in a clockwise direction.
  • Applying warmth (not hot) to the abdomen.
  • Burping after each feed.
  • Checking breastfeeding technique — latch, breaks.

OTC treatment

Simethicone (Sab Simplex, Espumisan) — dissolves gas bubbles. Modest evidence, but complete safety. 20-40 drops at each feed.

Probiotics — Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 — the best evidence, 5 drops/day (BioGaia), significantly reduces crying time after 3-4 weeks.

Dill / chamomile tea — traditional, but in small quantities and limited (should not replace milk).

Elimination of cow's milk protein — from the mother's diet (if breastfeeding) or switching to a hypoallergenic formula — useful in 10-15% of colic cases.

What to avoid

  • Overfeeding or underfeeding.
  • Herbal remedies containing alcohol.
  • Medications based on phenobarbital, belladonna.

When to consult a pediatrician URGENTLY

Crying associated with fever, projectile vomiting, blood in the stool, lethargy, feeding refusal, weight loss, abdominal distension, sudden abnormal crying — this may be intussusception, strangulated hernia, infection.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for colic in babies

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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Medicines for colic in babies

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for colic in babies

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For colic in babies most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for colic in babies runs over weeks.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Balonare

Balonarea e senzația de plin și distensie abdominală, adesea cu gaze. Cauze: aerofagie, alimentație bogată în gaze, IBS, disbioză intestinală, constipație.

 Symptom

Grețuri

Grețurile sunt senzația de iminentă vomă. Cauze: gastroenterite, migrenă, sarcină, rău de mișcare, medicamente, reflux, anxietate, afecțiuni vestibulare.

Frequently asked

What else do you want to know?

How long does colic last?
Onset at 2-3 weeks, peak at 6 weeks, spontaneous resolution at 3-4 months. A critical phase for parents — get through it with help and taking turns.
Do probiotics really help?
Yes, L. reuteri DSM 17938 has the most solid evidence — it reduces crying time by 50% after 3-4 weeks in breastfed babies.
Do I need to eliminate dairy from my diet?
Only if cow's milk protein allergy is suspected (eczema, blood in the stool, severe reflux). Eliminate for 2-3 weeks and observe the effect.
Is it my fault that the baby is crying?
No — colic occurs in healthy babies with competent parents. The phase is transient. Ask for help, do not blame yourself.

See also

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