Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Unchecked
Polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG 3350)
MiraLAX (OTC), GlycoLax, GoLYTELY (with electrolytes for bowel prep), CoLyte, MoviPrep, NuLYTELY
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Summary
Common uses
Chronic and occasional constipation0, Bowel preparation before colonoscopy (with electrolytes)0, Disimpaction (high-dose)0
Pharmacy
Starting dose
Constipation: 17 g (one capful) PO daily dissolved in 4-8 oz fluid; bowel prep: 4 L of PEG-electrolyte solution split-dose evening before and morning of procedure
Preparations
17 g (OTC) and 14 g (Rx) powder packets; 238, 510, 527 g bottles; PEG-electrolyte preparations 4 L (GoLYTELY, NuLYTELY)
US FDA Max
Indication-specific; bowel prep regimens reach 4 L cumulative
Pharmacology
Routes
Oral
Onset
Constipation: 1-3 days; bowel prep: 1-3 hours after starting
Duration
Hours
Half-life
Not meaningfully described (negligible systemic absorption)
Bioavailability
<0.1% systemic absorption (PEG 3350 is too large to absorb intact)
Pregnancy
Generally considered safe due to minimal systemic absorption.[citation needed]
Legal status
OTC (MiraLAX) and Rx-only (electrolyte solutions for bowel prep) in US
Purported mechanism
PEG 3350 is a high-molecular-weight inert polymer that retains water in the gut lumen through osmotic action without being absorbed or metabolized; the retained water softens stool and increases volume to stimulate peristalsis. Unlike osmotically active sugars (lactulose, sorbitol), PEG 3350 is not fermented by colonic bacteria, so gas and bloating are minimal.0 Electrolyte-balanced bowel-prep formulations are designed to be iso-osmotic with plasma so the volume passes through without net fluid or electrolyte shifts, the basis of their safety for whole-bowel evacuation.