Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution is a powder medicine that must be mixed with water before using it. Follow all directions on your medicine label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not add any flavorings to this medicine, such as sugar, honey, artificial sweetener, fruit juices, or other beverages.

Do not take polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution if it has been less than 1 hour since you last ate solid food. For best results, take the medicine 2 to 4 hours after you last ate.

Store unmixed medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the mixed medicine in a refrigerator in an upright position.

Drink plenty of clear liquids (such as water, broth, black coffee, tea, clear soda) before, during, and after your treatment. Avoid foods and beverages that contain pulp or are red or purple in color. You may also eat popsicles (not fruit bars or fudge bars) or gelatin without fruit pieces or toppings.

This medicine comes with instructions about when and what to eat or drink on your first day of treatment. Each brand may have different instructions.

Shake the liquid well just before you measure a dose. Drink this medicine in the exact portions at the exact time intervals prescribed by your doctor.

The usual dose of the medication is 8 ounces every 10 to 15 minutes. Drink each portion as quickly as possible, rather than sipping it slowly. The first watery stool should appear within 1 hour after you start drinking polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution.

Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution will produce watery diarrhea. Keep taking the medicine until your stool is watery and clear. In most cases, at least 3 liters of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution is needed for the full effect.

Throw away any polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution you have not used within 24 to 48 hours after it was mixed (follow directions for your specific brand of this medicine).

Do not eat or drink anything within 2 hours before your medical test.

Avoid taking other medications, vitamins, or mineral supplements within 1 hour before drinking polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution. Any medications you take just before a bowel cleansing will not be properly absorbed into your body.

Do not use other laxatives while using polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution unless your doctor has told you to.

• If you have an allergy to polyethylene glycol or any other part of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution.
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have any of these health problems: Bowel block, enlarged colon, hole in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, or slow-moving GI (gastrointestinal) tract.
• If you have electrolyte (like sodium, potassium, phosphate) problems.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Anal irritation.
• Bloating.
• Feeling full.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Stomach cramps.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution.

Review Date: October 4, 2017

• Electrolyte Lavage Solution
• Peg/Electrolytes

• Colyte
• GaviLyte-C
• GaviLyte-G
• GaviLyte-N
• GoLYTELY
• MoviPrep
• NuLYTELY
• TriLyte

Whole bowel irrigation for toxic ingestions

Based on the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT) and European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT) Position Paper on Whole Bowel Irrigation, polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution given for whole bowel irrigation (WBI) for toxic ingestions (ie, Packets of illicit drugs [body packers, body stuffers], potentially toxic sustained-release or enteric-coated agents, substantial amounts of iron) should be considered to prevent absorption of the toxic substances and expell gastrointestinal contents. According to the position paper, WBI should not be used routinely in these settings. The use of polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution for these toxic ingestions is based on volunteer studies and anecdotal reports.

No dosage adjustment provided in manufacturer’s labeling. Use with caution due to risks of fluid and electrolyte abnormalities.

CoLyte, GaviLyte-C, GaviLyte-G, GaviLyte-N, GoLYTELY, NuLYTELY, TriLyte: Using the container provided, add lukewarm water (may use tap water) up to the 4 L water mark; shake vigorously several times to ensure dissolution of the powder. No additional ingredients or flavors should be added to the solution (other than the flavor packets provided).

MoviPrep: Mix the contents of pouch A and pouch B (one each) in container provided. Add lukewarm water to fill line (~1 L); mix the solution until dissolved. No additional ingredients or flavors should be added to the solution.

Concentrations for reconstituted solutions:

CoLyte, GaviLyte-C: When dissolved in sufficient water to make 4 L, the final solution contains PEG-3350 18 mmol/L, sodium 125 mmol/L, sulfate 80 mmol/L, chloride 35 mmol/L, bicarbonate 20 mmol/L, and potassium 10 mmol/L

GaviLyte-G, GoLYTELY: When dissolved in sufficient water to make 4 L, the final solution contains PEG-3350 17.6 mmol/L, sodium 125 mmol/L, sulfate 40 mmol/L, chloride 35 mmol/L, bicarbonate 20 mmol/L, and potassium 10 mmol/L

GaviLyte-N, NuLYTELY, TriLyte: When dissolved in sufficient water to make 4 L, the final solution contains PEG-3350 31.3 mmol/L, sodium 65 mmol/L, chloride 53 mmol/L, bicarbonate 17 mmol/L, and potassium 5 mmol/L.