What is polyethylene glycol?

Polyethylene glycol 3350 is a laxative solution that increases the amount of water in the intestinal tract to stimulate bowel movements. Polyethylene glycol 3350 is used as a laxative to treat occasional constipation or irregular bowel movements.

What is polyethylene glycol and what is it used for?

Polyethylene glycol 3350 is used to treat occasional constipation. Polyethylene glycol 3350 is in a class of medications called osmotic laxatives. It works by causing water to be retained with the stool. This increases the number of bowel movements and softens the stool so it is easier to pass.

Why is polyethylene glycol bad for you?

The Health Concern The primary concern with PEG compounds is that ethylene oxide is used in their production in a process called ethoxylation. This process can cause contamination with ethylene oxide, a chemical associated with multiple kinds of cancer.

What does polyethylene glycol treat?

POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 3350 (pol ee ETH i leen; GLYE col) powder is a laxative used to treat constipation. It increases the amount of water in the stool. Bowel movements become easier and more frequent.

What is the molecular structure of polyethylene glycol?

Polyethylene glycol. Polyethylene glycol ( PEG) is a polyether compound with many applications, from industrial manufacturing to medicine. PEG is also known as polyethylene oxide ( PEO) or polyoxyethylene ( POE ), depending on its molecular weight. The structure of PEG is commonly expressed as H−(O−CH 2 −CH 2) n −OH.

How to measure the dose of polyethylene glycol 3350?

To use the powder form of this medicine, measure your dose with the medicine cap on the bottle. This cap should contain dose marks on the inside of it. Pour the powder into 4 to 8 ounces of a cold or hot beverage such as water, juice, soda, coffee, or tea.

What makes polyethylene glycol non toxic and odorless?

It is non-toxic, colorless, inert, odorless, and non-volatile. Also, it is incredibly soluble in water, and organic solvents such as benzene, carbon tetrachloride, and chloroform. Creating PEG substances of different molecular weights relies on constructing PEG with different length chains.

What are the medical uses of polyethylene glycol?

Medical uses. Whole bowel irrigation with polyethylene glycol and added electrolytes is used for bowel preparation before surgery or colonoscopy. PEG is also used as an excipient in many pharmaceutical products. When attached to various protein medications, polyethylene glycol allows a slowed clearance of the carried protein from the blood.