Macrogol, also called polyethylene glycol (PEG), is used as a laxative to treat constipation in children and adults.[3] It is taken by mouth.[3] Benefits usually occur within three days.[4] Generally it is only recommended for up to two weeks.[5] It is also used as an excipient.[6] It is also used to clear the bowels (bowel prep) before a colonoscopy,[3] when the onset of the laxative effect is more rapid, typically within an hour.[7]
Side effects may include increased bowel gas, abdominal pain, and nausea.[3] Rare but serious side effects may include an abnormal heartbeat, seizures, and kidney problems.[8] Use appears to be safe during pregnancy.[9][3] It is classified as an osmotic laxative:[4] It works by increasing the amount of water in the stool.[5]
Macrogol came into use as a bowel prep in 1980 and was approved for medical use in the United States in 1999.[10][11][12] It is available as a generic medication and over the counter.[3][13] In 2022, it was the 209th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1million prescriptions.[14][15] It is also formulated together with electrolytes.[16] In 2022, the combination with electrolytes was the 282nd most commonly prescribed medication in the US, with more than 600,000 prescriptions.[14][17]
^Cite error: The named reference Plenvu RDS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^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.