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Polyethylene Glycol & Electrolytes

    DEA Class; OTC, Rx

    Common Brand Names; GoLytely, MiraLax, Glycolax, GoEvac, CoLav, CoLyte, GaviLyte-C, GaviLyte-G, GaviLyte-N, NuLYTELY, polyethylene glycol electrolyte soln, polyethylene glycol powder, TriLyte

    • Laxatives, Osmotic; 
    • Bowel Preps

    Used for bowel evacuation/cleaning prior to GI exam
    Osmotic laxative that is not systemically absorbed; electrolytes maintain water/electrolyte balance
    NuLYTELY contains 52% less sodium and may be more palatable than other formulations

    Indicated for use as a bowel evacuant to clean the colon prior to colonoscopy or barium enema X-ray examination (bowel preparation).

    For the treatment of chronic constipation.

    Hypersensitivity; ileus gastrointestinal obstruction, gastric retention, toxic colitis, bowel perforation, toxic megacolon

    • Abdominal bloating
    • Abdominal cramping
    • Abdominal distention
    • Colonic mucosal aphthous ulcerations
    • Diarrhea
    • Flatulence
    • Ischemic colitis
    • Nausea

    Osmotic laxative products may produce colonic mucosal aphthous ulcerations, including reports of more serious cases of ischemic colitis necessitating hospitalization

    Concomitant use of stimulant laxatives may increase risk of ischemic colitis; not recommended; consider potential for mucosal aphthous ulceration as a result of bowel preparation, especially when evaluating colonoscopy results in patients with known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease

    Generalized tonic-clonic seizures and/or loss of consciousness reported in patients with no prior history of seizures, which resolved with correction of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities; use caution in patients with history of seizures or who are at increased risk of seizures, including concomitant administration of medications that lower seizures threshold, patients withdrawing from alcohol or benzodiazepines, and patients with unknown or suspected hyponatremia or low serum osmolality

    Use with caution and observe unconscious or semiconscious patients with impaired gag reflex or other swallowing abnormalities or those who are otherwise prone to regurgitation or aspiration during administration; observe these patients during administration, especially if it is administered via nasogastric tube

    Avoid use in patients with bowel obstruction, megacolon, perforated bowel, ulcerative colitis, toxic colitis, gastric retention

    Not indicated for children <2 years because of risk of hypoglycemia, dehydration, and hypokalemia

    When using PEG as laxative, do not give for >1 week

    Electrolyte imbalance reported with prolonged use

    Pregnancy category: C

    Lactation: No data available

    Adults

    4 liters/24 hours PO.

    Geriatric

    4 liters/24 hours PO.

    Adolescents

    4 liters/24 hours PO.

    Children

    25 ml/kg/hour PO (NuLytely, GaviLyte-N, and Trilyte only).

    Infants

    >= 6 months: 25 ml/kg/hour PO (NuLytely, GaviLyte-N, and Trilyte only).

    packet, oral

    • 17g/packet

    powder, oral

    • 119g
    • 238g
    • 255g
    • 510g
    • 527g
    • 850g

    sodium sulfate/sodium bicarbonate/sodium chloride/ potassium chloride

    powder for solution

    • 22.72g/6.72g/5.84g/2.98g (240g)
    • 22.74g/6.74g/5.86g/2.97g (236g)
    • 21.5g/6.36g/5.53g/2.82g (227.1g)

    sodium bicarbonate/sodium chloride/potassium chloride

    powder for solution

    • 5.72g/11.2g/1.48g (240g)
    • 5,72g/11.2g/1.48g (420g)