Polyethylene glycol
Other names for Polyethylene glycol
carbowax
macrogol
macrogol 6000
macrogol/peg 8000
peg
peg-100 stearate
peg 3350
peg-40
peg 400
peg-400
peg 4000
peg-40 castor oil
peg 6000
peg 8000
peg-8000
polyethelene glycol
polyethlene glycol
polyethyene glycol
polyethyene glycol 400 polysorbate 80
polyethylene
polyethylene glycol
polyethylene glycol 200
polyethylene glycol 3350
polyethylene glycol 400
polyethylene glycol 6000
polyethylene glycol 8000
polyethylene glycol copolymer
polyethylene glycol/macrogol
polyethylene glycol (peg)
polyethylene glycol, unspecified
polyethynol glycol
polyetylene glycol
polytheylene glycol
polythylene glycol
Synopsis of Polyethylene glycol
History
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a versatile compound that has played a significant role in medicinal applications for decades. Originally developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, PEG emerged as a safe, non-toxic, and highly soluble polymer, quickly gaining favor in the pharmaceutical and medical industries. Its earliest medicinal uses focused on its remarkable ability to act as a laxative. By binding with water in the intestinal tract, PEG gently promotes bowel movements, making it an effective remedy for occasional and chronic constipation. This use persists today, with PEG-based laxatives widely recommended for both adults and children due to their mild action and minimal side effects.
Beyond its laxative properties, PEG has contributed to the development of numerous pharmaceutical formulations. It serves as an excipient, enhancing the solubility, stability, and delivery of active ingredients in tablets, capsules, and topical preparations. Its non-reactive nature allows PEG to be combined safely with a wide variety of herbal and medicinal compounds, supporting the development of innovative remedies. In herbal medicine, PEG is sometimes used as a carrier or solvent for plant extracts, facilitating the blending of traditional botanicals with modern delivery systems. This synergy has enabled the creation of combination products that harness the benefits of both herbal wisdom and advanced pharmaceutical science.
Overall, polyethylene glycol stands as a testament to scientific ingenuity, contributing positively to health and wellness by improving medication efficacy, patient comfort, and the integration of herbal and conventional therapies. Its historical and ongoing use underscores its value in both traditional and modern medicinal practices.
Traditional and scientific validation
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polyether compound widely recognized for its applications in pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and medicine. Historically, PEG has been valued for its safety profile and inert characteristics, making it a versatile excipient in various nutritional and medicinal products. Its use as an additive in nutritional supplements and formulations primarily stems from its ability to enhance solubility, stability, and palatability of active ingredients, thereby improving product quality and consumer acceptance.
Scientifically, PEG is perhaps best known for its role as an osmotic laxative, with numerous clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy in treating occasional constipation in both adults and children. These studies highlight PEG's gentle mechanism of action and favorable tolerance, supporting its inclusion in oral rehydration solutions and nutritional drinks, particularly for populations with digestive sensitivities.
Beyond its laxative effects, PEG has been employed as a carrier or stabilizer in nutritional products containing sensitive nutrients, such as vitamins and probiotics. While direct clinical studies on PEG's impact within nutritional products are limited, the existing body of evidence underscores its non-toxic, non-absorbable nature and minimal allergenic potential. Regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), generally regard PEG as safe for use in food and pharmaceutical contexts.
In conclusion, polyethylene glycol has a well-established history and a strong safety record that supports its continued use in nutritional products. While further research could clarify and expand its benefits in this field, PEG remains a valuable ingredient for improving product formulation and consumer experience.
Polyethylene glycol is used for these health conditions
Colon (atonic) (Scientific)
Colon (spastic) (Scientific)
Constipation (adults) (Scientific)
Constipation (children) (Scientific)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Scientific)
Polyethylene glycol is used to support these body systems
Digestive System (Scientific)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Scientific)
Intestinal System (Scientific)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Scientific)
Rectum (Scientific)
