Polyethylene Glycol 3350 With Electrolytes Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 29, 2024.

Applies to polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes: oral powder for solution.

Precautions

It is important that your doctor check your progress closely for any problems that may be caused by this medicine. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine together with other laxatives (eg, bisacodyl [Dulcolax®] or sodium picosulfate [Dulcolax® Pico, CitraFleet®]).

Contact your doctor right away if you have decreased urination, dizziness, headache, or vomiting. These could be symptoms of a loss of too much body fluid (dehydration).

Contact your doctor right away if you have any changes to your heart rhythm. You might feel dizzy or faint, or you might have a fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat. Make sure your doctor knows if you had a heart rhythm problem, including QT prolongation.

This medicine may increase your risk for seizures. This is more likely to occur if you take medicine for depression, if you are withdrawing from alcohol or benzodiazepine use, or if you have low sodium level in the blood (hyponatremia). Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

If you have severe bloating or stomach discomfort after you take the first dose, you may need to wait until your symptoms improve before you take the second dose or you can take smaller sips of the mixture.

Keep yourself hydrated before, during, and after using this medicine. Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine. This may help prevent kidney problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have bloody urine, a decrease in frequency or amount of urine, an increase in blood pressure, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, nausea, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, trouble breathing, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting, or weight gain. These could be symptoms of a serious kidney problem.

This medicine may cause serious bowel problems (eg, colon ulcers, ischemic colitis). Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach pain and tenderness, bloody stools, or rectal bleeding.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing or swallowing, or large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals after using this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes:

Other side effects

Some side effects of polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes: oral kit, oral powder for reconstitution.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were abdominal distension, anal discomfort, thirst, nausea, and abdominal pain. Since diarrhea is considered part of the efficacy of this product, it was not defined as an adverse reaction.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Abdominal distension (59.8%), anal discomfort (52%), nausea (47.3%), abdominal pain (39.1%), vomiting (12.8%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Upper abdominal pain, dyspepsia
• Frequency not reported: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding from a Mallory-Weiss tear, esophageal perforation, borborygmi, flatulence^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hunger (70.8%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypokalemia, hyperphosphatemia
• Frequency not reported: Electrolyte disturbances, hyperkalemia^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Rigors (33.7%), malaise (26.6%)
• Frequency not reported: Peripheral edema^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (18.1%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Headache^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Sleep disorder (34.9%)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction
• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis, rash, angioedema, urticaria, lip and facial swelling, dyspnea, chest tightness, throat tightness)^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Frequency not reported: Asystole^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Urticaria, dermatitis^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Rhinorrhea, acute pulmonary edema, acute pulmonary edema after aspirating the PEG-based preparation^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer