Macrogol

For non-medical uses of this substance, see Polyethylene glycol.

Macrogol
Clinical data
Trade namesMiraLax, ClearLax, Golytely, others
Other namesPolyethylene glycol (PEG), PEG 3350, PEG 4000, PEG 6000
AHFS/Drugs.comProfessional Drug Facts
MedlinePlusa603032
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: B1
Routes of
administration		By mouth
Drug classOsmotic laxative
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
BioavailabilityNone
ExcretionFeces (100%)
Identifiers
  • Poly(oxyethylene)
CAS Number
DrugBank
ChemSpider
  • none
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
Chemical and physical data
FormulaH–(OCH2CH2)n–OH
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Macrogol, also called polyethylene glycol (PEG), is used as a laxative to treat constipation in children and adults.[1] It is taken by mouth.[1] Benefits usually occur within three days.[2] Generally it is only recommended for up to two weeks.[3] It is also used as an excipient.[4] It is also used to clear the bowels (bowel prep) before a colonoscopy,[1] when the onset of the laxative effect is more rapid, typically within an hour.[5]

Side effects may include increased bowel gas, abdominal pain, and nausea.[1] Rare but serious side effects may include an abnormal heartbeat, seizures, and kidney problems.[6] Use appears to be safe during pregnancy.[7][1] It is classified as an osmotic laxative:[2] It works by increasing the amount of water in the stool.[3]

Macrogol came into use as a bowel prep in 1980 and was approved for medical use in the United States in 1999.[8][9][10] It is available as a generic medication and over the counter.[1][11] In 2021, it was the 226th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.[12][13] It is also formulated together with electrolytes.[14] In 2021, the combination with electrolytes was the 295th most commonly prescribed medication in the US, with more than 500,000 prescriptions.[12][15]

  1. ^ a b c d e f British national formulary : BNF 76 (76 ed.). Pharmaceutical Press. 2018. pp. 57–58. ISBN 9780857113382.
  2. ^ a b "DailyMed - polyethylene glycol 3350 powder, for solution". dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Polyethylene Glycol 3350: MedlinePlus Drug Information". MedlinePlus. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  4. ^ "Macrogol as Excipient". Biesterfeld AG. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  5. ^ "Package leaflet: Information for the User - Moviprep, powder for oral solution" (PDF). Medicines.org.uk. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  6. ^ "PEG-3350 and Electrolytes for Oral Solution" (PDF). FDA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Polyethylene glycol 3350 Use During Pregnancy". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  8. ^ Mahmoud NN, Bleier JI, Aarons CB, Paulson EC, Shangmugan S, Fry RD (2016). "Colon and Rectum". In Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL (eds.). Sabiston Textbook of Surgery E-Book: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 1325. ISBN 9780323401630.
  9. ^ "Prescription Polyethylene Glycol 3350; Denial of a Hearing and Order Withdrawing Approval of Abbreviated New Drug Applications". Federal Register. 2 April 2018. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  10. ^ Schoeman M, Nguyen NQ (2011). "Patient Preparation and Pharmacotherapeutic Considerations". In Ginsberg GG, Kochman ML, Norton ID, Gostout CJ (eds.). Clinical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy E-Book: Expert Consult - Online and Print. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 87. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-41509-5.00008-6. ISBN 9781437735703. S2CID 78762418.
  11. ^ "Polyethylene glycol 3350 Uses, Side Effects & Warnings". Drugs.com. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  12. ^ a b "The Top 300 of 2021". ClinCalc. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Polyethylene Glycol 3350 - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  14. ^ Aronson JK (2015). "Glycols". Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs: The International Encyclopedia of Adverse Drug Reactions and Interactions. Elsevier. p. 567. ISBN 9780444537164.
  15. ^ "Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Electrolytes - Drug Usage Statistics". ClinCalc. Retrieved 14 January 2024.