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 2million 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]
^ abcdefBritish national formulary : BNF 76 (76 ed.). Pharmaceutical Press. 2018. pp. 57–58. ISBN9780857113382.
^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. ISBN9780323401630.
^Aronson JK (2015). "Glycols". Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs: The International Encyclopedia of Adverse Drug Reactions and Interactions. Elsevier. p. 567. ISBN9780444537164.