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More Info on Polyethylene Glycol 3350 Indications
from eMedTV.com
Polyethylene glycol 3350 is known as an osmotic laxative. It works by drawing water into the colon, making the stool soft, and increasing the number of bowel movements. This laxative will usually cause a bowel movement in one to three days.
This product is only approved for use in people 17 years of age and older. However, it is frequently used off-label in children. Ask a healthcare provider before giving your child polyethylene glycol 3350. If your child's healthcare provider recommends this laxative for your child, follow his or her dosing instructions.
Older adults can use polyethylene glycol 3350, and will likely tolerate it as well as younger age groups. Certain older adults, such as those in nursing homes, may be more susceptible to diarrhea with high doses of this laxative, so lower doses may be needed.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend this laxative for treating something other than constipation. This is called an "off-label" use. Some off-label polyethylene glycol 3350 uses may include:
- Treating constipation in children
- Long-term use for chronic constipation
- Colonoscopy bowel preparation, usually when mixed with an electrolyte solution.
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD