Polyethylene Glycol 3000
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
What is it?
Polyethylene glycol, referred to as PEG, is used as an inactive ingredient in the pharmaceutical industry as a solvent, plasticizer, surfactant, ointments, and suppository base, and tablet and capsule lubricant. PEG has low toxicity with systemic absorption less than 0.5%.
PEGylation occurs when PEGs are attached to various protein medications, allowing for greater solubility for certain drugs. Examples of PEGylated medications include PEG-interferon alpha (Pegintron) and PEG-filgrastim (Neulasta). PEG is also available as a bowel prep for colonoscopy procedures and as a laxative.[1]
PEG 400 indicates the average molecular weight of the specific PEG at 400.[2] PEG 3350 is a laxative available over-the-counter by the name of Miralax. In this case, PEG is considered an "active" ingredient, even though systemic absorption is less than 0.5%.
[1] Dave RH. Overview of pharmaceutical excipients used in tablets and capsules. Drug Topics (online). Advanstar. 10/24/2008 http://drugtopics.modernmedicine.com/drugtopics/Top+News/Overview-of-pharmaceutical-excipients-used-in-tabl/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/561047. Accessed 08/19/2011
[2] ThermoScientific. PEG (Polyethylene Glycol) Reagents http://www.piercenet.com/products/browse.cfm?fldID=12D97D8D-5056-8A76-4E95-9EA0D0B54BDB Accessed 08/19/2011
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Top Medications with this excipient
- Amlodipine Besylate and Atorvastatin Calcium 10 mg / 40 mg
- Amlodipine Besylate and Atorvastatin Calcium 5 mg / 20 mg
- Amlodipine Besylate and Atorvastatin Calcium 5 mg / 20 mg
- Amlodipine Besylate and Atorvastatin Calcium 2.5 mg / 20 mg
- Benazepril Hydrochloride 40 mg
- Benazepril Hydrochloride 20 mg
- Caduet 10 mg / 40 mg
- Caduet 2.5 mg / 20 mg
- Caduet 10 mg / 10 mg
- Caduet 10 mg / 80 mg
- Caduet 5 mg / 80 mg
- Clarithromycin Extended Release 500 mg
- Divalproex Sodium Delayed Release 500 mg
- Famotidine 20 mg
- Frova 2.5 mg
- Hydrochlorothiazide and Irbesartan 12.5 mg / 300 mg
- Hydrochlorothiazide and Losartan Potassium 12.5 mg / 100 mg
- Irbesartan 300 mg
- Irbesartan 75 mg
- Tinidazole 500 mg
