Macrogol

Macrogol

Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
MedlinePlus	a603032
Routes of administration	Oral, topical
ATC code	A06AD15 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	OTC
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	None
Excretion	Faeces (100%)
Identifiers
IUPAC name Poly(oxyethylene)
Synonyms	Polyethylene glycol (PEG)
CAS Number	25322-68-3 Y
ChemSpider	none
UNII	3WJQ0SDW1A Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL1201478 N
Chemical and physical data
Formula	H–(OCH2CH2)n–OH
Molar mass	Varies
NY (what is this?)

Macrogol is the international nonproprietary name for polyethylene glycol (PEG) used in medicine. Macrogols are commonly used as laxatives, i.e. to treat constipation, in both children and adults.

Lower molecular weight macrogols are used as excipients in pharmaceutical products as solvents in oral liquids and soft capsules. Solid variants are used as ointment bases, tablet bindings, film coatings and lubricants.

Macrogols are also attached to biopharmaceutical drugs to slow down their degradation in the human body and increase their duration of action, as well as to reduce immunogenicity. This process is called PEGylation.

Popular types include:

The number represents the average molecular mass. Combining different molecular masses provides some control over the consistency.

Macrogol 3350, often in combination with electrolytes, is used for short-term relief of constipation as well as for long-term use in constipation of various causes, including in multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease patients (an often-overlooked non-motor symptom) as well as constipation caused by pharmaceutical drugs such as opioids and anticholinergics. Whole bowel irrigation with macrogol is part of the bowel preparation before surgery or colonoscopy. Limited data also support its use for the treatment of fecal impaction.

A 2007 comparison showed that patients suffering from constipation had a better response to macrogol than to tegaserod.

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Wikipedia