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Drug Interactions between polyethylene glycol 3350 and Purge

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

castor oil polyethylene glycol 3350

Applies to: Purge (castor oil) and polyethylene glycol 3350

GENERALLY AVOID: Concomitant use of stimulant laxatives (e.g., bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate) may increase the risk of serious gastrointestinal adverse effects associated with certain osmotic laxatives (e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), oral sulfate solution), such as colonic mucosal ulcerations or ischemic colitis. There have been isolated case reports of ischemic colitis occurring with the use of PEG-based bowel cleansing products in combination with higher dosages of bisacodyl (usually greater than 10 mg). Bisacodyl can cause colonic ischemia due to transient reduction in splanchnic blood flow. When administered in conjunction with an osmotic laxative such as PEG, increased intramural pressure secondary to increased peristalsis may lead to ischemic colitis and perforation.

MANAGEMENT: The manufacturers for some osmotic bowel cleansing products recommend avoiding the concurrent use of stimulant laxatives. However, stimulant laxatives, in particular bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate, are sometimes used with PEG in certain bowel cleansing regimens to help reduce dose volume and improve patient tolerability and acceptance. Please consult individual product labeling for specific recommendations and guidance. Patients using osmotic bowel cleansing products and stimulant laxatives who present with sudden abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or other symptoms of ischemic colitis should be evaluated promptly.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  3. Baudet JS, Castro V, Redondo I (2010) "Recurrent ischemic colitis induced by colonoscopy bowel lavage." Am J Gastroenterol, 105, p. 700-1
  4. (2010) "Product Information. Suprep Bowel Prep Kit (magnesium/potassium/sodium sulfates)." Braintree Laboratories
  5. Ajani S, Hurt RT, Teeters DA, Bellmore LR (2012) "Ischaemic colitis associated with oral contraceptive and bisacodyl use." BMJ Case Rep, 2012
  6. (2016) "Product Information. MoviPrep (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes)." Physicians Total Care
  7. (2020) "Product Information. Plenvu (polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes)." Bausch Health US (formerly Valeant Pharmaceuticals)
  8. (2022) "Product Information. GaviLyte-H and Bisacodyl with Flavor Packs (bisacodyl-PEG 3350 with electrolytes)." Gavis Pharmaceuticals
  9. "Product Information. Bi-Peglyte (bisacodyl-PEG 3350 with electrolytes)." Pendopharm
  10. Vaizman K, Li J, Iswara K, Tenner S (2007) "Ischemic colitis induced by the combination of Bisacodyl and polyethylene glycol in preparation for colonoscopy." Am J Gastroenterol, 102, S267
  11. Belsey J, Epstein O, heresbach D (2009) "Systematic review: adverse event reports for oral sodium phosphate and polyethylene glycol." Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 29, p. 15-28
  12. Hung SY, Chen HC, Chen WT (2020) "A randomized trial comparing the bowel cleansing efficacy of sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate and polyethylene glycol/Bisacodyl (The Bowklean Study)" Sci Rep, 10, p. 5604
  13. Adamcewicz M, Bearelly D, Porat G, Friedenberg FK (2011) "Mechanism of action and toxicities of purgatives used for colonoscopy preparation." Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol, 7, p. 89-101
  14. Anastassopoulos K, Farraye FA, Knight T, Colman S, Cleveland MvB, Pelham RW (2016) "A comparative study of treatment-emergent adverse events following use of common bowel preparations among a colonoscopy screening population: results from a post-marketing observational study." Dig Dis Sci, 61, p. 2993-3006
  15. Barbeau P, Wolfe D, Yazdi F, et al. (2018) "Comparative safety of bowel cleansers: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis." BMJ Open, 8, e021892
View all 15 references

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Drug and food interactions

No alcohol/food interactions were found. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Therapeutic duplication warnings

Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication

Stimulant and hyperosmotic laxatives

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'stimulant and hyperosmotic laxatives' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'stimulant and hyperosmotic laxatives' category:

  • polyethylene glycol 3350
  • Purge (castor oil)

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.


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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.