Polyethylene Glycol 600
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, in ointments and suppository base, and as a 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 that acts locally, 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
Top Medications with this excipient
- Backaid Max acetaminophen 500 mg / pamabrom 25 mg
- Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride and Ibuprofen 25 mg / 200 mg
- Diurex Ultra caffeine (anhydrous) 100 mg
- Multi Symptom NiteTime acetaminophen 325mg / dextromethorphan 15mg / doxylamine 6.25 mg
- Pep-Back Ultra caffeine (anhydrous) 200 mg
- XL-3 Xtra Cold and Cough acetaminophen 250 mg / chlorpheniramine 2 mg / dextromethorphan 10 mg / phenylephrine 5 mg
