PEG-3350 Solution Electrolytes

A healthcare provider may prescribe polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (
 colyte®, GoLYTELY®, MoviPrep®, NuLYTELY®, TriLyte®) to empty the bowel before certain gastrointestinal procedures. Specifically, this laxative is approved to cleanse the bowel before a colonoscopy or a barium enema x-ray examination.
 
As a combination of the osmotic laxative polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG-3350) and certain electrolytes, this product works by drawing large amounts of water into the colon, softening the stool, and causing watery bowel movements. The laxative contains electrolytes to help replace those lost from the body in the watery stool.
 
A colonoscopy and barium enema x-ray exam are common gastrointestinal procedures used to screen for colon and rectal cancer, as well as causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits. It is very important that your healthcare provider can see inside your large intestine or colon during these procedures. Any stool inside the colon may hide important findings.
 
(For a more in-depth look at this bowel-prep product, click Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution. This article offers a complete overview on how this laxative works, dosing guidelines for how to safely use this drug, and general safety precautions to be aware of.)
 
List of references (click here)
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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