Polyethylene Glycol 3350 and Electrolytes (Oral Route)

The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Proper Use

Your doctor may have special instructions for you, depending on the type of test you are going to have. If you have not received such instructions or if you do not understand them, check with your doctor in advance.

Take the PEG-electrolyte solution exactly as directed . Otherwise, the test you are going to have may not work and may have to be done again.

It will take close to 3 hours to drink all of the PEG-electrolyte solution. The first bowel movement may start an hour or so after you start drinking the solution. Continue drinking all the solution to get the best results, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Do not eat anything for at least 3 hours before taking the PEG-electrolyte solution. If you do so, the colon may not get completely clean. If you are drinking the PEG-electrolyte solution the evening before the test, you may drink clear liquids (e.g., water, ginger ale, decaffeinated cola, decaffeinated tea, broth, gelatin) up until the time of the test. However, check first with your doctor.

For patients using the powder form of this medicine :

  • The powder must be mixed with water before it is used. Add lukewarm water to the fill mark on the bottle.
  • Shake well until all the ingredients are dissolved.
  • Do not add any other ingredients, such as flavoring, to the solution.
  • After you mix the solution, you must use it within 48 hours.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For cleaning the colon:
    • For oral dosage forms (oral solution and powder for oral solution):
      • Adults and teenagers—Drink one full glass (8 ounces) of the PEG-electrolyte solution rapidly every ten minutes. If you sip small amounts of the solution, it will not work as well.
      • Children—The amount of PEG-electrolyte solution taken is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. It is usually 25 to 40 milliliters (mL) per kilogram (kg) (11.3 to 18.2 mL per pound) of body weight per hour.

Storage

Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Side Effects Before Using
DR600319 Portions of this document last updated: April 1, 2012

Source: Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

Copyright © 2013 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger