PEG (polyethylene glycol) with electrolyte is used to clean out the intestines before certain bowel exam procedures such as colonoscopy or barium enema X-rays. It is a laxative that works by drawing large amounts of water into the colon. This effect results in watery bowel movements. Clearing stool from the intestines helps your doctor to better examine the intestines during your procedure.

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking this medication and each time you get a new prescription for it. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Follow any special diet instructions provided by your doctor. Be sure to ask your doctor about acceptable foods/liquids you may eat or drink before the procedure; otherwise the exam may have to be repeated. Finish your evening meal at least 1 hour before starting this medication. After you start drinking this medication, do not eat any solid food until after your procedure is done. To prevent losing too much body water (becoming dehydrated), drink plenty of clear liquids as directed by your doctor.

Before using this product, mix it as directed. Read and follow all directions provided by the manufacturer to mix this product. After mixing, you may place the container in the refrigerator until ready to drink. Chilling the mixed liquid may improve its taste.

Take this product by mouth without food or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your age and medical condition.

The night before your procedure, quickly drink one 8-ounce glass (240 milliliters) of the mixture every 15 minutes until you finish the first container (1 liter), or take as directed by your doctor. After drinking the first liter of the prepared solution, drink 2 glasses (480 milliliters/2 cups/16 ounces) of water or other clear liquid. Drink the second liter of prepared solution either the night before your procedure (one-and-a-half hours after the first liter) or on the morning of your procedure as directed by your doctor. After drinking the second liter of prepared solution, drink 2 more glasses (480 milliliters/2 cups/16 ounces) of water or other clear liquid.

It is best to drink the mixed liquid quickly instead of sipping slowly. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about how to mix or take this product or what to expect after taking this product.

Watery bowel movements usually begin about 1 hour after you start to drink the mixed liquid. The bowel movements can be very large and watery.

Do not take any other medications by mouth within 1 hour of starting to drink the mixed liquid because your body may not absorb the other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure when to take your other medications.

Very watery bowel movements are expected with this medication. Nausea, bloating, or feelings of fullness in the stomach/abdomen are very common. Stomach/abdominal cramps, vomiting, and anal irritation occur less often. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

If severe bloating or abdominal pain occurs, drink the mixture more slowly or temporarily stop drinking the mixture until the symptoms improve.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds, chest pain, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, seizures, sudden shortness of breath, unusual change in the amount of urine, severe or persistent stomach/abdominal pain, bloody stools, rectal bleeding.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking PEG with electrolyte, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: blocked intestines (gastrointestinal obstruction), hole in the intestines, severe infection in the intestines (such as toxic colitis, toxic megacolon).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: severe ulcers/swelling of the colon (ulcerative colitis), intestines that are not moving (ileus), problems with the normal urge to close the throat when the back of the mouth/throat is touched (poor gag reflex), history of vomiting easily/often, history of breathing food/other substances into the lungs, certain metabolic problem (G6PD deficiency), kidney problems, heart problems (such as irregular heartbeat).

Special caution should be taken if this medication is given to an unconscious or partly conscious person.

This medicine may contain aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition that requires you to restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), consult your doctor or pharmacist about using this drug safely.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dehydration and loss of salts in the blood (such as potassium, sodium).

Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dehydration and loss of salts in the blood (such as potassium, sodium).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

See also How to Use section.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially drugs that can change the amount of water, sodium, or potassium in your body such as: "water pills" such as thiazide diuretics, some heart/blood pressure medications called ACE inhibitors (such as captopril, enalapril).

Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory tests (such as sodium, potassium levels) may be performed before or after taking this medication to check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Not applicable.

Store the unmixed powder at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. After mixing the solution, you may store it in the refrigerator. Use within 24 hours after mixing. Discard any unused mixture. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised April 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.