Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution

Generic name: Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution
Dosage form: oral powder for reconstitution (-)
Drug class: Laxatives

Usage of Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution is a laxative solution that stimulates bowel movements. This medication also contains minerals to replace electrolytes that are passed from the body in the stool.

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution is used to clean the bowel before colonoscopy, a barium x-ray, or other intestinal procedures.

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

no bowel movement within 2 hours after use;

vomiting;

dizziness, feeling like you might pass out;

little or no urination;

a seizure; or

signs of an electrolyte imbalance--increased thirst or urination, dry mouth, confusion, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, irregular heartbeats, tingly feeling.

You may need to drink the liquid more slowly, or stop using it for a short time if you have certain side effects. Call your doctor for instructions if you have:

gagging, choking, severe stomach pain or bloating;

nausea, vomiting, headache, trouble drinking liquids, little or no urinating; or

fever, sudden or severe stomach pain, severe diarrhea, rectal bleeding or bright red bowel movements.

Common side effects of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution may include:

vomiting, stomach pain, indigestion, bloating;

rectal pain or irritation;

hunger, thirst, mild nausea;

trouble sleeping; or

dizziness, chills.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to polyethylene glycol or any other electrolyte solutions (such as Pedialyte or Gatorade), or if you have:

a perforated bowel;

a bowel obstruction or severe constipation; or

colitis or toxic megacolon.

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects in people with these conditions.

People with eating disorders (such as anorexia or bulimia) should not use this medicine without the advice of a doctor.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart problems, or a heart attack;

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or sodium in your blood);

kidney disease;

a seizure;

gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcerative colitis, or other stomach or bowel disorder;

trouble swallowing, aspiration (accidentally inhaling food or drink);

a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency; or

a drug or alcohol addiction.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

This medicine may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Relate drugs

How to use Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution

Usual Adult Dose for Bowel Preparation:

4 Liter preparations: 8 oz., orally, every 10 minutes, until the rectal effluent is clear or 4 liters are consumed OR 20 to 30 mL per minute via nasogastric tube2 Liter preparations:-Split-dose regimen: 8 oz., orally, every 15 minutes over 1 hour, then 0.5 L (approximately 16 oz.) of clear fluid the evening before colonoscopy---Repeat this dosing the morning of the colonoscopy-Evening only regimen: 8 oz., orally, every 15 minutes over 1 hour, the evening before the colonoscopy---About 1.5 hours later: 8 oz., orally every 15 minutes over 1 hour---An additional 1 liter (about 32 oz.) of clear liquid should be consumed the evening before the colonoscopy. ---Recommended start time is around 6 PM.Comments:-The product must be reconstituted prior to administration.-Rapid drinking of each portion is preferred to drinking small amounts continuously.-Avoid red and purple liquids when consuming clear fluids.Use: Bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy and barium enema X-ray examination

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bowel Preparation:

6 months or older: 25 mL/kg/hour orally OR via nasogastric tube until the rectal effluent is clearComment: Not all products are approved for pediatric use; the manufacturer product information should be consulted.Use: Bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy and barium enema X-ray examination

Warnings

Do not use polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution if you have a perforated bowel, a bowel obstruction or severe constipation, or colitis or toxic megacolon. Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects in people with these conditions.

What other drugs will affect Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

heart or blood pressure medication;

a diuretic or "water pill";

medicine to treat anxiety, depression, or mental illness;

medications to treat kidney problems or low sodium levels (hyponatremia);

seizure medication; or

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.