I am VERY allergic to polyethylene glycol and sodium laurel sulfate. I have had severe breathing problems, and headaches as well as tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, throat gums, lips and anaphalaxis. So far I have found that Claritan, Zyrtec, AllerD, Benadryl and Xyzal all have P.E.G. in them. I have had a very stubborn virus for 3 weeks now with a very runny post nasal drip, that is aggravating my throat, lungs and bronchi. Have been unable to find a decongestant/expectorant without P.E.G. Any ideas? Thanks.
Ethylene Glycol Poisoning - What antihistamines do NOT have polyethelene glycol in them?
Question posted by Kermit88 on 27 Feb 2011
Last updated on 7 May 2018
9 Answers
zangopeach
22 Feb 2013
Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with an allergy to polyethylene glycol and sodium laurel sulfate and am having difficulty adjusting to these allergies, it is causing a lot of distress as I am unalble to find things that do not contain glycols. The main thing I would like to find is an antihistamine to control the itching but noticed that you said that some contain glycols. Have you been able to find anything that you are now able to take that does not contain glycols and are you able to advise on anything else that I can do to help make life a bit easier. At the moment I am in dispair and desperately need advice. Thank you for any help you can give.
Inactive
23 Feb 2013
I take Claritin from CVS - their brand is glycol free (for Claritin at least). Everything you come into contact with has to be checked - by manufacturer. Not easy. EJ
Mary74
31 Dec 2012
Kermit88
Liquid forms of many meds contain PPGs ( my allergy). Tablet forms contain microcrystalene cellulose(my allergy). Compounding the med is one way to go, search labels like Walgreens own, Kmart's own, children's labels.
Look out for PEG and all the other names for this stuff... "glycol allergy".
Lots of us have it!
Mary74
31 Dec 2012
Six months ago I developed a huge allergy to PPG and all it's other forms... damethicone, glycerin, etc. Stuffs rips me up. Check other names for PPG.
Also allergic to PEG. They go together as an allergy for many people. My throat, esophagus, roof of my mouth swell. Patch test, so I read is the way to go.
These are patrolium!! based products.
I will patch test when I can get off antihistamines. Kmart under their label SmartSense has a Benadryl capsule that works for me but read the content. It can change. Equate (Walmart) Children's Benadryl, Claratin.
Forget the FDA concept of inert ingredient. They sell out the the lobbiests.
Am also allergic to microcrystalene cellulose (inert ingredient). It's other name is wood pulp.
This is a very real allergy for lots of folks. Google... PPG allergy ... and glycol allergy. There will be more of us every day, as the FDA allows more and more of this in our meds, makeup and our food! Email the FDA!
The FDA is allowing up to 18% wood pulp!!! In bread and ice cream.
Google... how much wood have you eaten today.
Who would approve of our children eating trees and patrolium.
Inactive
31 Dec 2012
Hi - I have had a glycol allergy for 16 years. Unfortunately if she is allergic to polyethylene glycol, she's allergic to all glycols: propylene glycol, glycol stearates, glycol monoesthers, glycolates. Anything extended release has it in the coating. Inks on capsules can have it, pretty much every artificial flavoring does, Vanillin always has it (in a lot of chocolate and bakery items). I've found I am also allergic (from trying to consume it and having reactions) to all the 'ols' - alcohOL, sorbitOL, xylitOL, mannitOL, all the sugar alcohols, etc. I say on medical forms that I am allergic to all Glycolic Acid Derivatives. Makes a hospital stay be deadly - they have no idea how to research for this. I have 6 medications now that are compounded (specially made by a compounding pharmacy). Getting to have a relationship with a compounding pharmacist has really helped.
Glycols are being found in trace amounts in coffee (helps with sifting) and in milk, as the milking cows are sprayed down daily with an antibacterial wash that contains glycols. Research, research, research. I live at Whole Foods - lots of products there that are glycol free. And cook from scratch - if I can help more, let me know. ElizaJane
Mary74
31 Dec 2012
ElizaJane23,
Thanks. You have been dealing with this a lot longer than I. I am going to have to have surgery. Makes my blood run cold. Am learning as much as I can about where to find this stuff but short of having a compounding pharmacist holding my hand the whole time I'm starting to feel trapped.
Have you had to deal with being in the hospital and if so how did you get out of there alive?
Mary
PEGMOMMA
19 April 2012
Kermit, a compounding pharmacist is the most knowledgeable about what is in medications. Beware of all ingredients, unfortunately you have to look up all the ingredients listed to find out what makes up each ingredient. My daughter was in the er 4 times in 6 mo. (last time she started to have a seizure) for this allergy and no one really believes it. I figured it out and began removing as much exposure as I could. All natural laundry soap, shampoo, foods, etc. her sensitivity has decreased greatly. I have motrin compounded without it cost .50 a pill and got her a medical id also. All of the medications I give her to releive the severe hives has some peg (benadryl, pepcid etc). Good luck.
Inactive
9 March 2011
Kermit, I had to go out today, so I stopped & bought a box of the allergy ie Actifed I was talking about. Here is the info:
Name of Seller: HEALTHCARE (by a local "Everythings a dollar Store")
Called: Allerfed Cold & Allergy Tablets
Box of 24 tablets, Price $1.00
Drug Facts: Active ingredients in each tablet: Chlorpheniramine maleate 4mg & Phenylephrine HCI 10mg
Inactive Ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, lactose,magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, silica gel, stearic acid
If you need the rest of the info as uses & interreactions with other medications etc., Warnings, & so on, let me know. Also let me know if you can take this.
On the end of the box says is distrbuted by:
Great Lakes Wholesale & marketing L.L.C., Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Hope this helps you out, please reply
Inactive
9 March 2011
Also, after reading your comment on Pseudoephedrine; the front of the box specificly state "Pseudoephedrine FREE". Mary
Kermit88
9 March 2011
Mary: Thanks so much for your information. I will contact the manufacturer and see where I can purchase this product in my area. This seems to be very constuctive information. I would like to collect a list of products that CURRENTLY seem to be free of glycols and post them here, for others that are having this allergic issue.
If you don't mind, I will include a reference to your product suggestion here and augment it with a link, if I can find one on the manufacturer's site, to where to find the product in anyone else's local area. I will also combine it with products found by ElizaJane, and ones I find, so that there will be an ongoing list of cold remedies. Don't have time to start it today, but perhaps tomorrow. Again, thanks for your information, very helpful!! Perhaps I can use it the next time I am having a cold!
In another area, I would like to start a list of other products, regularly containing glycols, that also are glycol free, such as shampoos, cosmetics, laxatives, toothpaste and other categories of drugs (over-the-counter and prescription).
Inactive
9 March 2011
You are very welcome. I live in the Quad Cities in Illinois tho' no in the Michigan area. Hope that helps too. Mary
Monk1953
28 Jan 2012
Back in August of this year and a few months after undergoing angioplasty to place a stent in my heart, I experienced a severe allergic reaction requiring another emergency visit to the hospital. It happened within a half hour of taking a minimal dose of Miralax. Long story short, after being stabilized in the emergency room and released with a weeks worth of steroid regimen, it took until the end of September to get somewhat back to normal. I must say that while the heart attack I experienced was the most painful and frightening medical issue I'd had to deal with in my entire life, this allergic reaction came a close second. Funny thing though, all the medical staff in the emergency room and my cardiologist say that they have never heard of anyone being allergic to Polyethylene Glycol, the active ingredient in Miralax. Now I'm reading on the internet that it is an ingredient in many of the products we use everyday.
Is it possible, I have developed this allergy? I have never been allergic to anything other than cat dander and this is really throwing me for a loop. Thanks for any input ya'll can provide. Have a great day.
Mike
Inactive
28 Jan 2012
Mike, to answer your question, you can become allergic to any ingredient at any time of your life. Just some info from my allergy doctor... Mary
linabella
22 March 2012
The frustrating thing is that there is no requirement that inactives be listed, and since there is no regulation over chemicals that are classed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) they can be substituted at any time and the medication or product is considered to be the same. So two products are considered identical, yet one gives me hives and the other is fine. So manufacturers making generics can change the inactive ingredients in any medication any time and call it the same thing - so we have to read EVERY product insert EVERY time, no matter where we are - even in the hospital. I shop at costco and their ibuprofen tabs are a case in point - sometimes they use polyethylene glycol - sometimes they don't. When I find a batch that doesn't have PEG, I buy a bunch.
Cold and allergy meds are very hard to find without PEG. Even harder to find are antibiotics.
Often the liquid versions are the only choice - if they have them at all.
You can always go to a compounding pharmacy, although they're more expensive and not all insurance companies cover them. They can make almost anything without PEG, PG, or PPG, unless it's only available in brand name and the formula is proprietary.
Best of luck.
Kermit88
7 March 2011
Pseudoephedrine is a main component in many antihistamines. Please read https://www.drugs.com/monograph/pseudoephedrine.html for a long list of cold remedies containing this ingredient. In the chart at the bottom of the page, under "Preparations" you will see clearly that many of the products listed under pseudoephedrine contain polyethylene glycol in them also.
Therefore, with both acetamenophen (also containing P.G. - see other comments in this section) and psuedoephedrine as major components of many cold remedies, I have to approach all cold remedies and/or antihistamines containing either one or both of these ingredients, as having the possibility of containing polyethylene glycol. These would then have to be researched individually.
Inactive
9 March 2011
I just don't see that kermit - I've looked at the reference for acetaminophen you cited, and this one for Pseudoephedrine - just because glycols are present in other related medications, you can't automatically assume each individual ingredient ALWAYS contains glycols. It's what the individual manufacturer puts in as inactive ingredients, which basically boils down to money. I've found by checking a product by the individual manufacturer I've been able to trust whether glycols are present or not. By your assumption that these ingredients have glycols in them, you might as well assume that all medications (and foods, and topicals) have glycols in them. There comes a point where you have to find things you can use - or you go completely without. I need medications - and I've not had reactions to products that don't list glycols in their inactive ingredients. My opinion, my life, I know...
Kermit88
9 March 2011
Eliza Jane: In my comment, "I have to approach all cold remedies and/or antihistamines containing either one or both of these ingredients, as having the POSSIBILITY of containing polyethylene glycol. These would then have to be researched INDIVIDUALLY." I meant to convey that when I see on a label that acetamenophin and pseudoephredrine are present, in either an over-the-counter preparation or prescription, that I am always cautious and check the individual active and inactive ingredients in that particular medicine more carefully. I am aware that they do not ALWAYS contain the glycols, but I check them out extra carefully, and certainly don't take that particular remedy without checking into each one of them specifically.
Yes its a pain; and it irks me that I have to dig so carefully each and every time. But I have found through my research that the exterior labeling doesn't necessarily carry all of the information, and that I have to check it out more carefully if these ingredients are present. Usually they are safe, if glycols are not on the package labeling, but not always.
Inactive
9 March 2011
Yes, we have to check each thing out individually, there is no other way unfortunately. Every single thing we consume has to be checked each time we buy it - we can't trust that a manufacturer hasn't changed things since the last time we checked it. I am glad that you do go on and check the individual medication, by the individual manufacturer and don't just write off the item as having glycols because there are other similar ones that have glycols. There has to be a way to survive this, and research is the answer.
Inactive
2 March 2011
It depends on the manufacturer for Claritin - the generic, made by SAMs club is glycol-free, as well as the CVS brand, I believe. I don't know about the sodium laurel sulfate - you just have to look everywhere to check every manufacturer. There is no blanket statement that applies to these ingredients - they are inactive ingredients, so companies can use them at will to make up the components of their medications.
suzanne66
27 Feb 2011
According to the FDA monograph Claritin tablets do not contain PEG
This from https://www.drugs.com/pro/claritin.html
"Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient Name
starch, corn
lactose monohydrate
magnesium stearate "
You could always double check with the manufacturer.
Schering-Plough,
2000 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, NJ 07033-0530
Contact Details
Phone: (908) 298-4000
Inactive
27 Feb 2011
You have me very confused. Antihistamines as far as I can tell do not contain polyethelene glycol. Poyethelene glyhol is used for constipation as a bowel excuvant. I take actifed which has to be signed for at the pharmacy counter because it's ingredients are used to make cocaine. No prescription, just signed for.The actifed contains triprolidine & pseudoephedrine. I looked several more antihistamines & none contain a laxative. Think you have the wrong information. Put the indredients you are concerned about into the search box on the heading above, & do some research. Good luck to you... (and oh, Actifed helps running noses dry up etc... )
Inactive
2 March 2011
Mary, these two ingredients are "inactive ingredients", so they are not listed under the active ingredients. Propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol are used in many, many different kinds of medications as preservatives, stabilizers, ingredients to make things sift better, not cake, ingredients for inks sprayed on the capsules, etc. They are in all kinds of foods, lotions, shampoos, makeup - you name it, there is a possibility that a glycol is in it, or has been used to make it. It's a very difficult allergy to have, I know, I've been allergic to it for the past 16 years.
Inactive
2 March 2011
Thanks for the info!
Kermit88
7 March 2011
Mary, Actifed has three ingredients, acetaminophen, pseudoephedrine, and triprolidine. Acetamenophen has polyethylene glycol in it. While P.G. is used in MANY laxatives, it is also contained in many other products as well. I have used the search method you described many times to make sure of the ingredients in the medicines I purchase, both by prescription, but also over the counter. It is literally a matter of life and death for me. But, thanks for your comment. I appreciate your effort on my behalf.
Inactive
7 March 2011
I just re-read all the info on Actifed & did not find these ingrediants. I post below from Drugs A - Z :
Pronunciation: soo-doe-e-FED-rin/try-PRO-li-deen
Generic Name: Pseudoephedrine/Triprolidin
Actifed is used for:
Temporarily relieving symptoms of hay fever, allergies, or the common cold, including nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itching of the nose and throat, and itchy/watery eyes. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Actifed is an antihistamine and decongestant combination. The antihistamine works by blocking the action of histamine, which helps reduce symptoms such as watery eyes and sneezing. The decongestant promotes sinus and nasal drainage, relieving congestion and pressure.
Do NOT use Actifed if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Actifed
you are taking droxidopa or sodium oxybate (GHB), or you have taken furazolidone or a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) within the past 14 days
you have severe high blood pressure or severe heart disease (eg, coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Actifed:
Some medical conditions may interact with Actifed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have glaucoma or increased pressure in the eyes; high blood pressure; diabetes; heart or blood vessel disease; overactive thyroid; seizures; blockage of the stomach, bowel, or bladder; trouble breathing when you sleep; trouble sleeping; a breathing problem (eg, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis); the blood disease porphyria; or an enlarged prostate or prostate disease; or if you have difficulty urinating
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Actifed. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially if any of the following apply to you:
Furazolidone or MAO inhibitors (eg, phenelzine) because side effects such as severe headache, high blood pressure, or high fever may occur
Bromocriptine or sodium oxybate ( GHB) because the risk of side effects or toxic effects may be increased by Actifed
Guanethidine, guanadrel, mecamylamine, methyldopa, or reserpine because their effectiveness may be decreased by Actifed.
Droxidopa because side effects such as irregular heartbeat or heart attack may occur
Urinary alkalinizers (eg, sodium bicarbonate) because the side effects of Actifed may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Actifed may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
Eliza Jane may be right. so check with your health provider.
Kermit88
7 March 2011
Mary, if you visit this link https://www.drugs.com/mtm/acetaminophen-pseudoephedrine-and-triprolidine.html you will see that the first line under the words "Actifed Cold and Sinus" includes the names of the items listed at the beginning my previous comment.
Inactive
7 March 2011
kermit, ok, & thanks. I'm not real bright at 5AM. Sorry. Mary
Inactive
7 March 2011
Kermit you found out that all makers of acetaminophen have glycols in it? Is it used in the processing somehow, because I've never seen it listed? As you know, that's crucial for me to know. I don't ever use it, thank God, because I didnt know all acetaminophen had it in it. Just like I'm glad I don't drink coffee,as I found they use glycols to make it sift better. Now that's not listed anywhere either. Frustrating!
Inactive
7 March 2011
Mary, you don't understand. Most times you have to research by the individual manufacturer, or if it's over the counter, look on the actual box for the inactive ingredients. Health care providers have no wAy of knowing this - we are dependent on our own research to keep us alive and breathing.
Inactive
7 March 2011
Eliza Jane, have done so & didn't find those ingredients. Sorry. Maybe it just the one I'm taking???
Inactive
7 March 2011
Could be - does it list inactive ingredients? If so, and there are no glycols listed, perhaps you've found a brand that is glycol-free, which is what Kermit is looking for. Check for inactive ingredients and if there are no glycols, let Kermit know the manufacturer and where you bought it. That would be a find!
Kermit88
7 March 2011
ElizaJane and Mary: I have found that usually in the "professional monograph" areas for each drug on this site have the most detailed information on each drug. For acetamenophen at https://www.drugs.com/pro/propoxyphene-and-acetaminophen-tablets.html under the end of first section on acetamenophen tablets description, you will see that it lists polyethylene glycol. Now, that means that the tablets contain it. It doesn't necessarily mean that every product containing acetamenophen also contains it; but for me, that is enough of a warning not to take anything with acetamenophen in it, unless proven otherwise.
However, my doctor at the ER recently checked Claritin for polyethylene glycol and told me that it was in Claritin. He also checked all the others that he would usually prescribe as antihistamines, mentioned earlier, and they all had it in them.
Kermit88
7 March 2011
ElizaJane and Mary: When I went to the Claritin site, and looked at the actual labels on the various types of Claritin, some of them did not include P.G. However, since many of them did contain it, without further research and calling the manufacturer, I cannot assume that it is NOT in the other versions. A health practitioner told me that the FDA requires that an ingredient be listed if it contains a certain weight percentage of the total product. In other words, if there is not enough of it in a given product, according to the FDA definition, they don't have to list it on the label. So, even labels cannot necessarily be trusted.
In the case of Claritin, it may well be that some of the products contain a weight sufficient to list it, while others contain less than the amount required to list it. Since so many of the Claritin products do include it on the label, unless proven otherwise, I have to suspect (for my safety) that it is in the other products also, just to a lesser percentage. This is not necessarily a logical conclusion, but it works for me until proven otherwise.
Inactive
7 March 2011
I take Claritin every day - the manufacturer for SAMs Club and Cvs doesn't list any glycols, and I've been able to tolerate it. I've done well with checking for inactive ingredients, evidently I can tolerate the little bit in inks, sprays, etc that are so small they don't have to be listed. Every once in awhile, I get my "glycol" migraine and know Ive gotten a little, no matter how careful I am. As long as I'm still breathing I'm ok
Inactive
7 March 2011
Believe me I read labels like you wouldn't believe as I have food allergies, dye, preservatives , meds etc..plus all the other enviromental things. I didn't happen to have a box here today, as we recycle cardboard & hubby removed it & threw it away. I will let you know as soon as I buy some more about listed & unlisted ingredients. I know you can have a reaction to the unlisted amounts too, because I have had to use an Epi pen after eating something that didn't have anything listed on their label I was allergic too. It's not fair to us that have these severe allergies. Thanks Kermit. Mary
Kermit88
8 March 2011
Mary and ElizaJane; Thank you both very much for your additional information. It is always appreciated. I am hoping we can make a real resource here, so others with this sensitivity can have more information than we did.
Also, I am hoping to generate enough comments to be able to contact some people who can change the labeling requirements and warnings for this P.G. ingredient everywhere. I would really like them to take P.G. out of so many things.
I intend to cross-pollinate the topic in other groups like allergies, asthma, hives, etc. referring back to this group. I started with Lyrica today, also containing P.G. It was on a discussion about Sciatica. I got severe angioedema from it, due to the P.G. and almost died twice, before the doctor realized it was probably due to the P.G. Within two -three days of discontinuing it almost all of the symptoms retreated.
momof6boys
26 Jan 2012
Ok,I am very new to this PEG allergy. Please help me understand where all it's located. My 9 year old son was prescribed Miralax, and had a terrible reaction. I gave him a cough medicine (Delsym) last night, and he had the same reaction. I never imagine PEG 3350 would be in the cough syrup. Please help me understand where to look for this. Every Dr./nurse I tell about this reactions acts like I'm crazy.
linarnett
7 May 2018
With all due respect, you are the one with wrong information. Benadryl gel caps as well as the other otc drugs she named do, in fact, contact the truly unnecessary and dangerous polyethylene glycol. I am experiencing the same problem and researched this extensively.
Related topics
decongestant cold formula, allergic asthma, headache, allergic reactions, ethylene glycol poisoning, polyethylene glycol 3350/propylene glycol, swelling, mouth, lips, throat
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