Miralax (Polyethylene Glycol 3350)

Polyethylene Glycol 3350 (pol ee eth' i leen) (glye' col) MiraLax® PEG 3350

Polyethylene glycol 3350 is used to treat occasional constipation. Polyethylene glycol 3350 is in a class of medications called osmotic laxatives. It works by causing water to be retained with the stool. This increases the number of bowel movements and softens the stool so it is easier to pass.

Polyethylene glycol 3350 comes as a powder to be mixed with a liquid and taken by mouth. It is usually taken once a day as needed for up to 2 weeks. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take polyethylene glycol 3350 exactly as directed. Polyethylene glycol 3350 may be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer period of time than your doctor tells you to. It may take 2 to 4 days for polyethylene glycol 3350 to produce a bowel movement. To use the powder, follow these steps: If you are using polyethylene glycol 3350 from a bottle, use the measuring line on the bottle cap to measure a single dose (about 1 heaping tablespoon). If you are using polyethylene glycol 3350 packets, each packet contains a single dose. Pour the powder into a cup containing 8 ounces (240 milliliters) of water, juice, soda, coffee, or tea. Stir to dissolve the powder. Drink immediately.

Before taking PEG-ES, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to PEG-ES, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in the PEG-ES product you are taking. Ask your pharmacist or check the manufacturer's information for the patient for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril (Capoten, in Capozide), enalapril (Vasotec, in Vaseretic, Lexxel), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril, in Prinzide, Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic, Quinaretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); angiotensin II receptor antagonists such as candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), and valsartan (Diovan); aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); diuretics ('water pills'); and medications for depression . do not take any other laxatives during your treatment with PEG-ES. if you are taking any other medications by mouth, take them at least 1 hour before you begin your treatment with PEG-ES. tell your doctor if you have a blockage in your intestine, a hole in the lining of your stomach or intestine, toxic megacolon (a serious or life-threatening widening of the intestine), or any condition that causes problems with the emptying of your stomach or intestine. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take PEG-ES. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an irregular heartbeat, a prolonged QT interval (an inherited condition that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death), a recent heart attack, chest pain, heart failure, an enlarged heart, seizures, acid reflux, inflammatory bowel disease (conditions that causes swelling of the lining of the intestine) such as ulcerative colitis (a condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum), G6-PD deficiency (an inherited blood disease), low levels of sodium, magnesium, potassium, or calcium in your blood, any condition that increases the risk that you will choke or inhale food to your lungs, or kidney disease. If you will be using Moviprep® brand PEG-ES, also tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU; an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent mental retardation). tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

Your doctor will tell you what you may eat and drink before, during, and after your treatment with PEG-ES. Follow these directions carefully.

Call your doctor if you forget or are unable to take this medication exactly as directed.

PEG-ES may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: nausea stomach pain, cramps, or fullness bloating rectal irritation weakness heartburn thirst hunger chills Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help: rash hives itching swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs difficulty breathing or swallowing vomiting dizziness headache decreased urination irregular heartbeat seizures bleeding from rectum If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the mixed solution in the refrigerator and use it within 48 hours. If you are using Moviprep® brand solution, use it within 24 hours after mixing. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain laboratory tests to check your body's response to PEG-ES. Do not let anyone else take your medication. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.