Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 18, 2022.
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%.
Top Medications with this Excipient
- Amlodipine Besylate and Valsartan 10 mg / 320 mg
- Amoxicillin Trihydrate 875 mg
- Amoxicillin Trihydrate 500 mg
- Bupropion Hydrochloride Extended-Release (SR) 100 mg
- Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Chloroquine Phosphate 500 mg
- Famotidine 20 mg
- Hydrochlorothiazide and Valsartan 12.5 mg / 80 mg
- Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Hysingla ER 20 mg
- Mektovi 15 mg
- Morphine Sulfate Extended-Release 200 mg
- Risperidone 0.25 mg
- Sildenafil Citrate 100 mg
- Sildenafil Citrate 20 mg (base)
- Solodyn 55 mg
- Tagrisso 40 mg
- Trospium Chloride 20 mg
- Urso 250 mg
- Vitekta 85 mg
References
[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
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