Polyethylene Glycol 3350
Excipient (pharmacologically inactive substance)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on April 16, 2020.
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, Hydrochlorothiazide and Olmesartan Medoxomil 10 mg / 25 mg / 40 mg
- Amoxicillin Trihydrate 500 mg
- Amoxicillin Trihydrate 875 mg
- Cetirizine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Divalproex Sodium Delayed Release 500 mg
- Esbriet 267 mg
- Famotidine 20 mg
- Famotidine 40 mg
- Glipizide and Metformin Hydrochloride 5 mg / 500 mg
- Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride 10 mg
- Hysingla ER 20 mg
- Irospan 24/6 multivitamin/minerals with iron and folic acid
- L-Methylfolate Calcium 15 mg
- Levetiracetam Extended Release 500 mg
- Metformin Hydrochloride 1000 mg
- Sildenafil Citrate 20 mg (base)
- Sildenafil Citrate 100 mg
- Simvastatin 5 mg
- Tavalisse 150 mg
- Valsartan 80 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
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.