Poly ethylene Glycol 3350 + Electrolytes
Indications
Poly ethylene Glycol 3350 + Electrolytes is used for:
Constipation, Fecal impaction
Adult Dose
Constipation: The dose is 1 sachet daily. This may be increased to 2-3 sachets daily, if required.
Fecal Impaction: 8 sachets daily, consumed within 6 hours. A course of treatment for fecal impaction does not normally exceed 3 days.
Child Dose
Renal Dose
Administration
Contra Indications
Polyethylene glycol is contraindicated in patients with known or suspected bowel obstruction and patients known to be allergic to polyethylene glycol.
Precautions
Patients with impaired cardiovascular function: For the treatment of faecal impaction the dose should be divided so that no more than two sachets are taken in any one hour. If patients develop any symptoms indicating shifts of fluid/electrolytes (e.g. edema, shortness of breath, increasing fatigue, dehydration, cardiac failure) It should be stopped immediately and any abnormality should be treated appropriately. Prolonged use with all laxatives is undesirable and may lead to dependence.
Patients with symptoms suggestive of bowel obstruction (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or distention) should be evaluated to rule out this condition before initiating.
Pregnancy-Lactation
Interactions
Adverse Effects
Side effects of Poly ethylene Glycol 3350 + Electrolytes :
Nausea, abdominal bloating, cramping and flatulence may occur. High doses may produce diarrhea and excessive stool frequency, particularly in elderly nursing home patients. Patients taking other medications containing polyethylene glycol have occasionally developed urticaria suggestive of an allergic reaction.
Mechanism of Action
Poly ethylene Glycol is an osmotic agent that causes water to be retained with the stool.It appears to have no effect on the active absorption or secretion of glucose or electrolytes.
Sodium chloride is the major extracellular cation. It is important in electrolyte and fluid balance, osmotic pressure control and water distribution as it restores sodium ions. It is used as a source of electrolytes and water for hydration, treatment of metabolic acidosis, priming solution in haemodialysis and treatment of hyperosmolar diabetes. It is also used as diluents for infusion of compatible drug additives. Potassium chloride is a major cation of the intracellular fluid. It plays an active role in the conduction of nerve impulses in the heart, brain and skeletal muscle; contraction of cardiac skeletal and smooth muscles; maintenance of normal renal function, acid-base balance, carbohydrate metabolism and gastric secretion. Sodium bicarbonate raises blood and urinary pH by dissociation to provide bicarbonate ions, which neutralises the hydrogen ion concentration. It also neutralises gastric acid via production of carbon dioxide.