Polyethylene Glycol 800
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 7, 2025.
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%.
Some examples of medications containing Polyethylene Glycol 800
- Benzphetamine Hydrochloride 50 mg
- Carvedilol 6.25 mg
- Carvedilol 3.125 mg
- Carvedilol 12.5 mg
- Carvedilol 6.25 mg
- Carvedilol 25 mg
- Carvedilol 3.125 mg
- Carvedilol 12.5 mg
- Carvedilol 25 mg
- Levetiracetam 500 mg
- Levetiracetam 250 mg
- Levetiracetam 1000 mg
- Levetiracetam 750 mg
- Valsartan 160 mg
References
- 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
- 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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